Mission

The mission of the AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases programme is to reverse the HIV epidemic, control STIs and improve the health of people living with HIV through universal coverage of affected populations with evidence-based prevention, care and treatment interventions.

The programme encompasses developing knowledge about the dynamics of the epidemics, addressing the needs of those affected through evidence-based interventions and an enabling environment, ensuring the availability of resources, building capacities and promoting country ownership. It works closely with national governments, academic institutions, civil society, and United Nations and other international partner organizations to:

• increase national political commitment and leadership in HIV/AIDS programmes within the health sector
• link these programmes to the main health and development plans of the countries
• strengthen programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation
• strengthen national capacity in the delivery of interventions and services.

Functions

The programme’s functions are:

monitoring the HIV/STI epidemics and response in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and disseminating information to decision-makers

convening regional stakeholders to formulate regional policies and strategies and to review and address implementation challenges

advocating for investment in HIV/STI control in the Region at global, regional and country levels

promoting evidence-based interventions and public health approaches in HIV surveillance and HIV prevention, treatment and care

building regional capacities for technical support (through the regional knowledge hubs)

building national institutional capacities for HIV/STI surveillance, programme management and service delivery

building the capacity of civil society organizations in service delivery for populations at increased risk that are often stigmatized and hard-to-reach

providing technical support to countries in national policy development, strategic planning, epidemic surveillance, resource mobilization, health service delivery, and programme monitoring and evaluation

coordinating advocacy and support to countries with UNAIDS and cosponsor agencies within the Division of Labour Framework and providing leadership with regard to the health sector response.