Mali - Our Backgound
 

A National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS was developed and approved at a special cabinet meeting. Multiple ministries have been included in the overall National Plan. There was a strong political commitment to confront HIV/AIDS, with the President heading the National AIDS Commission (NAC). The NAC was coordinated politically by the Government Presidency and, technically, by the Ministry of Health.

AMICAALL Mali, established in 2002, includes all 703 municipalities and Bamako District, and boasts membership of 10,177 locally elected leaders. The strategic plan of AMICAALL Mali is formulated on measures to:

  • enhance equitable prevention,

  • improve surveillance,

  • increase access to treatment,

  • address gender inequalities and social impacts of the epidemic,

  • promote partnerships.

To date AMICAALL Mali programmes have been implemented in 63 municipalities, each developing an inclusive HIV/AIDS response action plan. Approximately 125 community stakeholders per year have been trained in advocacy and local responses. Publications produced include 12 municipal profiles and HIV/AIDS service directories, a regular newsletter, AMICAALL Mali case study and a toolkit for Mayors on local responses.
 
Mali Chapter of The Alliance launched in March 2002
 

Start-up funding was secured from UNAIDS and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The Association of Municipalities of Mali is hosting the AMICAALL Coordination office. In 2005, a full-time AMICAALL Coordinator was hired with funding from national partners.

By 2005, activities had been launched in six municipalities. This included the establishment of Municipal HIV Teams, the preparation of municipal HIV service directories, and enhancement of local-level capacity to respond to HIV. Funding support from the Government of the Netherlands enabled AMICAALL Mali to expand its activities .