Objectives and Functions

The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) which is at the centre of the institutional framework, was established by an Act of Parliament Cap 10 in 2002. The Council’s role and function in the national multi-sectoral AIDS response are to:

  • Coordinate and support development;
  • Monitor and evaluate the AIDS response;
  • Advise government on appropriate and evidence-based prevention, treatment and coordination strategies; and 
  • Facilitate the reduction of the social and economic impacts of the epidemic.

The Council’s Board is multi-sectoral in nature and is appointed by the Minister of Health. The members are drawn from government, civil society organisations, private sector and general public. Current membership is composed of the following:

A.    Permanent Secretaries from Ministries responsible for: 

  • Community Development, Mother and Child Health;
  • Education
  • Health
  • Youth and Sport 

B.    Civil Society represented by the following:

  • Network for Zambian People Living with HIV (NZP+)
  • National Youth Development Council
  • Catholic Secretariat  (Faith-based)
  • Non-Governmental Organizations CC 
  • General Nursing Council
  • Health Professions Council

C.    A representative of the Attorney General’s Chambers
D.    A representative of the media sector 
E.    A representative of the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia
F.    Two persons of good standing representing the public and private sectors
 
The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council Act (2002) has outlined the following as the functions of the Council as  
i.    To support the development and coordination of policies, plans and strategies for the prevention and combating of HIV, AIDS, STI and TB for health and other institutions concerned with the prevention of HIV, AIDS, STI and TB;
ii.    Advice Government, health institutions and other organizations on policies, strategies and plans to prevent  and combat HIV, AIDS, STI and TB;
iii.    Ensure provision and dissemination of information and education on HIV, AIDS, STI and TB;
iv.    Develop a national HIV, AIDS, STI and TB research agenda and strategic plan which shall include the quest for a cure for HIV and AIDS as one of the research priorities; 
v.    Support programmes relating to prevention, care, and treatment of HIV,  AIDS, STI and TB; 
vi.    Mobilise resources to promote and support identified priority interventions including research in areas related to HIV, AIDS, STI and TB;
vii.    Provide technical support and guidelines to health and other institutions involved in the Prevention and treatment of HIV, AIDS, STI and TB
viii.    Care and support of persons infected in relation to HIV, AIDS, STI and TB
ix.    Collaborate with other research institutions in relation to HIV, AIDS, STI and TB
x.     Undertake such other activities as are conducive or incidental to its functions under this Act.