WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
The National AIDS Commission (NAC) was re-established in October 2018 as an Independent State Institution by the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act Number 9 of 2018. It replaced the NAC Public Trust, which the Government of Malawi established in July 2001 to provide overall leadership and coordination of a Multi-Sectoral National Response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Prior to this, the National AIDS Control Program, under the Ministry of Health and Population, was mandated to coordinate a largely biomedical response to HIV and AIDS from 1989 to 2001.
The evolution in the status of the institution followed the Government’s realization that the response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic required a multi-sectoral approach and interface with broader issues of population, economic development and management; social service provision, culture, community development, human rights as well as gender, among others.
The re-establishment of NAC as an Independent State Institution through an Act of Parliament has enhanced the Commission’s core mandate of providing leadership and coordination of the National Response to HIV and AIDS. Its activities are guided by an independently constituted and professional Board of Commissioners.
OUR MISSION
To provide effective leadership, technical guidance, facilitation and coordination of the National HIV and AIDS Response.
OUR VISION
A nation free from HIV and AIDS.
STORY ABOUT US
OUR VALUES
- Excellent customer care: We will always strive to meet clients’ needs and expectations in the delivery of services. Excellence is a habit and we pledge to nurture it.
- Confidentiality: We will always be sensitive to people’s needs and respect their privacy and special needs.
- Ethical conduct: We will carry out our duties and responsibilities in a professional manner and also respect the dignity of all stakeholders.
- Transparency and accountability: We will be open, honest and responsible in the way we discharge our duties. We shall be accountable to the people of Malawi and all our stakeholders.
- Diversity: We will uphold the multi-sectoral engagement and embrace the cultural, gender, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs in the response to HIV and AIDS.
WHAT WE DO
The National AIDS Commission is mandated to:
- Implement, coordinate and facilitate the National HIV and AIDS Response.
- Provide technical support to Government in the formulation and review of HIV and AIDS policies.
- Manage and coordinate the implementation of HIV and AIDS related Government policies.
- Provide technical guidance, capacity building and support to stakeholders.
- Liaise with all Government Departments, Ministries and Agencies on matters relating to the National Response and to ensure that there are no barriers to information.
- Advocate for a strong, sustained and visible role of political, civil and traditional leaders.
- Develop and maintain an up-to-date information system and establish suitable mechanisms of dissemination and utilization of information.
- Accredit information relating to HIV and AIDS produced by anyone before dissemination.
- In liaison with the Secretary for Health, monitor and evaluate progress and impact of the National Response.
- Mobilize and equitably disburse resources towards the National Response.
- Monitor distribution and effective and efficient utilization of resources towards the National Response.
- Promote and commission research, information sharing and documentation.
- Develop and maintain stakeholder profiles.
- Submit reports to the Minister of Health on the implementation of the National Response.
OUR POWERS
- Develop, co-ordinate and disseminate information on HIV and AIDS
- Sponsor, support or organize conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings on any matter under its consideration or generally for the promotion of its functions and objects;
- Receive and allocate donations of funds, materials and technical assistance for the furtherance of its work and ensure the effective utilization of those funds;
- Engage persons having suitable qualifications and experience as consultants to the Commission;
- Determine its own procedures for carrying out consultancies for the general conduct of its work;
- Establish committees as it considers necessary for the performance of its functions and assign to the committees any of its functions without prejudice to the power of the Commission itself to perform those functions;
- Co-opt any person to attend any of its meetings but that person shall not vote on any matter for decision by the Commission;
- Request any information relating HIV and AIDS and not privileged from disclosure from any person or institution as part of its coordination function; and,
- Do and perform all other things or acts that are necessary or expedient for the implementation of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act.