Abstract |
The aim of this research is to establish the factors influencing the implementation of the Ministry of Education HIV/AIDS workplace programme in Zambia in order to provide guidelines to make it sustainable. This study is important to identify why the implementation of the workplace Programme has been difficult. This research was based on document analysis, direct observations and the use of semi structured interviews with key staff involved with the implementation of the workplace programme. The findings from this research provide evidence that the workplace HIV and AIDS programme is implementing a continuum of prevention, care and support programmes and most of these are contracted out. Impact mitigation programmes are not being implemented, the donors are funding most of the programmes, and there is lack of leadership and commitment from the leaders in the ministry. The main conclusions drawn from this study are that in the long term HIV and AIDS in the workplace will not be fully managed as only a few of the Ministry of Education staff are benefiting from the workplace programme; some care and support interventions have the potential of increasing the spread of HIV and the lack of leadership and commitment has led to the ministry receiving inadequate funding, becoming heavily dependent on donor funding and the HIV unit having no staff to coordinate HIV/AIDS programmes. This dissertation recommends that leadership and commitment of the leaders in the ministry for HIV and AIDS be built, HIV and AIDS impact mitigation strategies be implemented, the provision of the continuum of services to the Ministry of Education staff be scaled up through leveraging of private sector resources, linkages be developed with local NGOs and health service providers, and the medical scheme policy and nutritional support for staff living with HIV be reviewed so that it does not send wrong messages that would potentially increase new HIV infections. Finally, the implementation of HIV and AIDS services should continue being contracted. |