What is the National Aids Council? |30 November 2021

The National Aids Council (NAC) was originally launched on May 24, 2002 by the then Minister for Health, Patrick Pillay, Red Roof Conference Room, Ministry of Health. The main role of the NAC was to coordinate the national response to HIV and Aids. It was established as a multisectoral and multidisciplinary committee of diverse stakeholders contributing to the national response.

The NAC became a legal entity (body corporate) through the National Aids Council of Seychelles Act, 2013 (Act13 of 2013) enacted by the President and National Assembly in December 2013.

Aim

The aim of the National Aids Council is to combat the spread of HIV and Aids and related matters through the long-term.

Leadership and Governance

• The President is the Patron of the Council.
• The Minister for Health may give the Board such directions of a general character relating to the policy which the Council is to observe in exercise of its functions.
• The Board is composed of persons able to contribute significantly towards the functions of the Council. It manages and formulates the general policy of the Council, and controls its operations.

Members of the Board are appointed by the President.

• The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the efficient management of the activities, funds, property and staff of the Council.

Functions and Powers

The Functions and Powers of the Council (subject to the Act) to coordinate the national response to HIV and Aids are:

a)        Recommend to the government, promote, co-ordinate, monitor & evaluate policies & strategies

b)        Take measures to combat, control & ameliorate effects;

c)        Mobilise and manage resources, whether financial or otherwise;

d)        Act as the coordinating mechanism & secretariat for all national and international funding initiatives for HIV & Aids, Hepatitis-C, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and malaria;

e)        Enhance capacity of the various sectors of the community

f)         Encourage the provision of facilities to treat and care for persons infected and their dependents;

g)        Monitor & evaluate effectiveness of strategies & policies;

h)        Promote and co-ordinate research and ensure effective dissemination & application of the research results;

i)         Disseminate & encourage dissemination of information;

j)         Submit regular reports to the President, through the Minister;

k)        Allocate funds to organizations which in the opinion of the Board is eligible to receive funding, if funds are available;

l)         Generally, to do all things which, in the Board's opinion, are necessary or appropriate; and

m)      Exercise such other functions that may be conferred on the Council by or under the Act or any other enactment.

NAC Fund

The National Aids Trust Fund (NATF) Notice 2002, made under section 2 of the Public Finances Act, was repealed by virtue of the National Aids Council Act (2013) and the National Aids Council Fund was thereby established to replace the NATF.

The NAC Fund was created to coordinate funding action on the part of government, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, community groups and individuals. Resources for the fund may be mobilised from many sources, both national and international, for prevention through education, information and communication, control through well established public health measures and caring through clinical services and support for those infected and affected with HIV and Aids.

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What is the red ribbon?

The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV and Aids awareness. This is why UNAIDS has chosen to incorporate the ribbon into its own logo.

It stands for:

Care and Concern
It is being worn by increasing numbers of people around the world to demonstrate their care and concern about HIV and Aids - for those who are living with HIV, for those who are ill, for those who have died and for those who care for and support those directly affected.

Hope
The Red Ribbon is intended to be a symbol of hope - that the search for a vaccine and cure to halt the suffering is successful and the quality of life improves for those living with the virus.

Support
The Red Ribbon offers symbolic support for those living with HIV, for the continuing education of those not infected, for maximum efforts to find effective treatments, cures or vaccines, and for those who have lost friends, family members or loved ones to Aids.

But the Red Ribbons are not enough.

The Red Ribbon is only a useful symbol in the long run when attached to words and deeds that actually make a difference.

If you are offered a Red Ribbon, you are asked to take it and wear it as a tribute to the millions of people living with or affected by HIV and Aids worldwide.

Anyone can wear a Red Ribbon.

You don't have to be gay, or HIV positive or living with Aids to demonstrate that you have an understanding of the issues surrounding HIV and Aids.

The Red Ribbon project is a grass-roots effort. There is no "official" Red Ribbon. You can make your own to wear.

Wearing a Red Ribbon is the first step in the fight against HIV and Aids.

It can be worn on any day of the year, but especially on World Aids Day. The next step is to do something more.

Creation - the Red Ribbon was created in 1991 by the Visual Aids Artists Caucus in New York.                                                                                                                                  UNAIDS www.unaids.org