This document outlines a conceptual framework for improving the HIV/AIDS response in chiefdoms in Zambia. It identifies several issues with the current inadequate and uncoordinated response at the chiefdom level, including a lack of leadership, duplication of efforts, and failure to influence cultural practices. It proposes strengthening the capacity of chiefdoms by establishing strategic plans, monitoring and evaluation systems, and coordinating bodies. The desirable outcomes include improved access to quality services, monitoring of service delivery, resource mobilization, and advocacy. The desired impacts are an improved quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children, and reduced new infections and AIDS-related deaths in each chiefdom.

1. Chiefdom HIV/AIDS
Response
Conceptual Framework
Author: Chanda Michael Mulimansenga
© 2005

2. Inadequate/Near lack of a Coordinated Decentralized Institutional Response
in the fight against HIV/AIDS in chiefdoms
(Immediate Problems)
Inadequate
HIV/AIDS
leadership &
management
capacities in
chiefdoms
Duplication of
efforts,
programm
es and
resources
Lack of area specific
evidence leading
to poor response
devoid of
community
ownership
Inappropriate
responses at
variance
with
priorities of
local
communities
Lack of proper
monitoring,
evaluation
and as well
as feedback
mechanisms
Vicious circle that
perpetuates
dependency,
chronic and
acute on
chronic
poverty
Failure to
positively
influence
traditional/
cultural
practices
Lack of a galvanized
traditional
revolution
against
HIV&AIDS in
chiefdoms
Lack of
indigenous
ownership of
programmes
and outcomes/
Community
Empowerment
Inadequate and
sometimes
lack of
information on
best practices
and what
works best

3. Aggravating factors
Inadequate
capacities in
chiefdoms
Uncoordinated centrally
based (Lusaka) donors
with globally or
nationally driven targets
Lack of an M&E
culture at chiefdom
levels
Lack of a
documentation
culture
Lack of a research
culture
Chronic and
acute on chronic
poverty in
communities
Some bad cultural
influences
Lack of a galvanized
shared and owned
traditional cultural
agenda against
HIV/AIDS
Inability to develop
and utilize an
interactive geo-
political and socio-
economic leadership
to drive a shared
national agenda
Failure to accurately
mainstream
HIV&AIDS work
into our daily chores
in chiefdoms
Mitigating factors(Institutional strengthening in the following areas)
Chiefdom based
Organizational
Capacity
Assessments
Chiefdom based
Organizational
Development
Chiefdom based
Resource gap
analysis and
mobilization
Chiefdom based
Advocacy and lobby
Chiefdom based
Documentation and
communication
Chiefdom based
Monitoring and
Evaluation/
Information
Management
Systems
Chiefdom based
Policy Management
Strategic Planning
and other systems
strengthening
Chiefdoms
Coordination,
collaboration and
synergies
Chiefdom based
research
Chiefdom based
Management/leaders
hip support systems
(Financial etc)

4. Desirable outcomes
1. One Chiefdom based
Strategic Plan,
2. One Chiefdom based
M&E system
3. One Coordinating
Body at chiefdom
level
Development of an
HIV/AIDS chapter in
Area Development
wherever they exist or
mainstreaming HIV and
AIDS in all
developmental plans
Map current chiefdom
based prevention, care
and support and impact
mitigation services and
identify service gaps for
special populations or
geographical areas
With support from DATF,
establish and disseminate
service standards with and
on behalf of NAC to all
stakeholders working at
chiefdom level
Establish a system to
routinely monitor service
delivery against set targets
in the chiefdom and
support their programmes
Create a platform where
all key stakeholders will
share experiences and
lessons learned in the
fight against HIV and
AIDS in the chiefdom
Support stakeholders
based in the chiefdom to
mobilize technical,
material and financial
resources for effective
chiefdom programmes
implementation
Establish a mechanism of
both internal and external
communication and
management tools to
monitor the effectiveness of
chiefdom response
Improved access to quality
service delivery as close to
the people as possible,
preferably within the
chiefdom
All interventions at
chiefdom are benefiting
members of the cmmunity
Establish and disseminate
performance indicators
for measuring type,
quantity and quality of
service services being
provided in the chiefdom
Represent the chiefdom in
advocating for legal and
service needs of people
living with HIV/AIDS

5. Desired Impacts
Improved
quality of
life of
PLHIVs
within the
chiefdom
Improved
lives of
OVCs
within the
chiefdom
Reduced
new
infections
in the entire
chiefdom
Reduced
deaths due
to AIDS in
the
chiefdom