Low involvement of MPs in AIDS fight worries Nalumango

Low involvement of MPs in AIDS fight worries Nalumango
By Maluba Jere
Tuesday April 29, 2008 [04:00]

DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly Mutale Nalumango has expressed concern over the low level of involvement of parliamentarians in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. And Coalition of African Parliamentarians Against HIV and AIDS (CAPAH) Zambia chapter chairperson Batuke Imenda has acknowledged the fact that members of parliament have neglected their role of contributing to the fight against the pandemic.

During the launch of the CAPAH yesterday, Nalumango said as representatives of the people, parliamentarians had the responsibility to represent the needs of their constituents through enacting legislation to protect the rights of those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

"Recent experiences have revealed that the level of involvement of parliamentarians in contributing to the response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Africa is rather weak," she said.

"Members of parliament in their respective constituencies face the reality of HIV and AIDS by dealing with issues of sickness, funerals, orphan-hood and widowhood on a daily basis.

Their role in the fight against HIV/ AIDS cannot be underestimated."
Nalumango said interventions in the fight against the pandemic could never be enough and urged parliamentarians to play a major role.

"I wish to encourage you not to relent. Let us give support to CAPAH so that it can become even a more effective vehicle in this mission," she said.

"This will ensure that people we represent in our constituencies throughout the country become more and more aware of HIV/AIDS and the ways in which the pandemic can be defeated."

Nalumango urged parliamentarians to use CAPAH to share lessons learnt from within the continent and develop a community of practices dedicated to strong HIV/AIDS leadership.

And in an interview, Imenda said it was unfortunate that the fight had been left to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alone when it needed to be fought by all.

"We recognise the fact that AIDS is still rampant in various constituencies but in the past, the campaign was synonymous with the NGOs with minimal participation from political leaders," he said.

Earlier, Imenda said it was saddening that the official statistics of the HIV/AIDS prevalence rates still stand at 16 per cent nationwide.

He said the stagnant figure was a clear indication that more still needed to be done if the fight was to be won.

Imenda further said the absence of participation by members of parliament in the fight was the missing link all stakeholders had been yearning for.

"Concerns of lack of involvement by members of parliament were expressed by many. It is in this light that we have decided to stand up to the occasion," he said. "We believe that our electorate recognise the importance of the offices we hold."

Imenda explained that in achieving the goals, the members of parliament would encourage appropriate behavioral change, enact laws that would deter and put in check risky behaviours such as defilement and sexual abuse.