The Global Fund finances programs that focus on the development and expansion of partnerships among all relevant players within a country. Emphasis is on the scale up of programs through a multi-sector approach, and on strengthening the participation of communities and people, particularly those affected by the three diseases. The CCM is at the centre of these partnerships and so the participation of all constituent members of CCM in CCM meetings and activities is an important element for these partnerships. Bearing this in mind:

Q. How do members of civil society [pdf 159kb] and people affected by the diseases participate in CCM work? How do they contribute to the CCM? How has the potential of civil society been fully tapped in your CCM in the implementation of programs?

Suggestions: Your answers can include: the ingredients for a successful multi-stakeholder CCM based on experiences from your own country; ways in which you think participation could be improved; work methodologies; challenges you had to overcome; and any other related issues.

N.B. The topics and questions posted in the forums have been compiled from contributions received from CCM members and other Global Fund stakeholders. If you wish to contribute new topics for discussion, please visit the Topic Suggestions Forum.

Participation of Civil Society in national CCM activities is very crucial in a successful implementation of Global Fund funded programs. The civil society is made up of non-governmental organization (NGO), Faith Based Organization (FBO), Private business sector and people living with any of the three diseases. However, in an endemic continent such as West Africa, almost everyone is living with some amount of malaria parasites. TB is curable and people once affected are expected to be cued if an individual goes through DOT. Due to this, the only disease clearly left out is HIV and this should be strongly represented.

Civil society groups should participate in all responsibilities of the national CCM i.e. development of national proposal, participation in CCM meetings, participating in sub-committee activities such as physical monitoring of GF supported programs, etc. During meetings, they are supposed to participate fully as any other member is expected. The challenge here is inter-changing presence with active participation.

Civil society has a wealth of knowledge that could ensure that the 3 diseases are being addressed by the strong synergy that exists within public-private-partnerships. There will be the need to organize forums that will seek to encourage active participation. It will also be important to develop them to take other bigger responsibilities such as PR and also effectively monitor all stages of program implementation. In communities where HIV and TB still have strong stigma, civil society (people living with the disease) should be encouraged and motivated to embark on programs to de-stigmatize the disease.

Linkages are being built between the three diseases (HIV-TB-Malaria) by PLWH and other partners. This is laudable and should be encouraged.