Chat with Peter Kamau, deputy executive director of Kenyan Aids NGOs Consortium ‘Good progress noted in the collaboration between government and NGOs’ |24 June 2017
Recently, the deputy executive director of Kenyan Aids NGOs Consortium (Kanco), Mr Peter Kamau, was on an official visit to Seychelles to review the progress and to see how the policy landscape is evolving and to visit the HIV & Aids Support Organisation (HASO) and Network Seychelles. He is quite content with the progress made so far.
Seychelles NATION (SN): What is Kanco?
Peter Kamau: Kanco is a membership of organisations working with over 100 members comprising NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, learning institutions and individuals that have interest in TB, HIV and other public health care concerns. Kanco is also the linking organisation of the international HIV Aids alliances and with its East and South Africa hub provides technical support to countries in the Eastern African Region.
SN: Please tell us more about the project
Peter Kamau: In Seychelles, the project is being implemented by Haso. The main objective of the project is to increase access to essential HIV and harm reduction services among drug users. The project is being implemented within eight countries: Burundi, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Kenya. The project has three main objectives: Creating an enabling policy environment to support harm reduction intervention in the East African countries; Strengthening of community system for a sustained HIV response among people who inject drugs in East Africa; Generating and utilising strategic information on injecting drug use-related HIV epidemic in the region. Haso needs to engage policy makers at the country level on harm reduction that will contribute to regional dialogue; support the establishment and running of a network of people using drugs in the country; coordinate research activities in Seychelles and document project achievements, success stories and best practice.
SN: How was your visit to our Islands?
Peter Kamau: During my visit I have been able to engage with Haso and Drug User Network Seychelles (DUNS), district administrators of Cascade and Anse Etoile and the PWUDs and Dr Patrick Herminie (secretary of state responsible for prevention of drug abuse and rehabilitation). I also conducted a visit at the wellness centre.
SN: How is it progressing?
Peter Kamau: There is good progress, for example the network is now in place and they are engaging with policy makers. The government has been able to recruit and train some people who are using drugs as peer educators, established the drug abuse and rehabilitation agency and has been willing to expand the methadone distribution and the needle and syringes programme.
SN: What are your observations?
Peter Kamau: There is still a huge gap in terms of methadone distribution and the needle and syringes programme but there is great commitment between the government and civil society. There is also opportunity for Seychelles to demonstrate with good leadership and we will be able to reach people who use drugs with comprehensive services.
The overall objectives of Haso in this project are to have zero new HIV and reduce hepatitis virus among people who inject drugs in Seychelles by 2020. They are also aiming at improving prevention and treatment of blood-borne infections in Seychelles. The campaign aims to significantly improve the lives of people who inject drugs in Seychelles. Over a three-year period, the project exceeded its targets reaching over 5000 people who inject drugs, their partners and children. The campaign involves a strong focus on building the capacity of people who use drugs in the development, implementation and evaluation of services in country.
(In Box)
Support Don’t Punish is a global campaign basically advocating for the support that the people who use and are addicted to drugs can be offered. From the policy makers, law enforcers, spiritual leaders, health service providers to the family members and the community at large. The norm has been criminalisation and stigmatisation. Bad laws and policies that seem to deny the people access to health, welfare and social services need to change. Family support is very crucial at this point of drug addiction, encouraging and offering directions on where to get the services and finances is one step towards better choices that might lead to soberness.
On and around Monday June 26, 2017, more than 100 cities across the world will be holding actions to highlight the harm that is being caused by the war on drugs. This will take place as part of the global ‘Support. Don’t Punish’ campaign – which aims to promote harm reduction, call for policy reform, call for better funding for health services, and promote the removal of criminal sanctions for people who use drugs and other low-level drug offenders.
On this ‘Global Day of Action’, Seychelles through Haso have planned two days of activities starting today with a walk from the ICCS to the mini stadium starting at 10am, and a sports and family fun day tomorrow starting at 10am at the Freedom Square for the general public with emphasis on the PWIDS.
These activities are aimed at scaling up the ‘Support. Don't Punish’ campaign that was launched on December 15, 2016 in the country.
