Last Update
July 2007

Project AIDS

Project HIV and AIDS in Senegal

One of the main objectives of GMA is to provide information on the state of health and the healthcare system in Senegal, including the results of successful research and development projects and their implementation.

One of the focus points in this line of activities is the campaign against HIV and AIDS. From 1988 till 2002 the number of HIV infections in Senegal doubled from 24.048 to 41.326 but that makes Senegal an impressive exception compared to the other Sub-Saharan countries in Africa where the disease has grown into a devastating epidemic in the same period. It is true that in Senegal too the biggest increase occurs within the group of women and (young) children (4-fould) but on the whole the epidemic seems to be under control to say the least.

Curiously there doesn't seem to be any valid explanation for this state of affairs or indeed a description of the "Senegalese model" if any such model should exist. Not even the epidemiological data presented are verified by independent research. In other words: there is at present insufficient knowledge of the many factors and their interaction determining the development of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in Senegal. GMA proposes a separate project aimed at filling this gap.

The project itself has three distinct phases: 

• Epidemiological research in Senegal into the local dimensions and the characteristics of the HIV-AIDS epidemic and its development. This would corroborate or falsify any claims of a specific and unique situation. 
• A description of the factors that might explain the characteristics of the epidemic in Senegal. This description would not only imply the healthcare system but also the economical and socio-cultural context, including government policy. The result would be a description of the "Senegalese model".
• The presenting of the Senegalese model in the Netherlands. General purpose would not only be to contribute to a changing image of Senegal but also to present the model as an inspiration and a possible example for development projects in other regions.

An important side-effect of the project will be the further development of epidemiological research and application of monitor techniques in Senegal because GMA aims at employing local researchers and (project)management wherever possible. If no local capacity should be available, GMA will provide the necessary knowledge transfer as part of (the outcome of) the project.

2. Preliminaries:

The principles of the GMA-approach demand that projects will be not only supported but also managed and executed by local parties in Senegal with GMA responsible for coaching, monitoring and knowledge transfer. That means that only such projects will be initiated that can be realized on the basis of a local infrastructure. Against this backdrop the first stage in the GMA HIV-AIDS project will consist of a fieldtrip to Senegal to realize local conditions and to put in place the necessary local organization with support from the Senegalese participants in GMA who have a representative on the board of the foundation (see annex). 

3. Plan of the fieldtrip:

The fieldtrip has a number of definite objects:

• To initiate a local branch office of GMA in Dakar as the nexus of (in a later stage) a wider network covering the main centers of the country. In order to realize this objective, the support of local board members will be called upon.
• Ascertain the feasibility of a Senegalese carried project by establishing a local infrastructure of research capacity and project management. This will be realized in close co-operation with local experts.
• To draw the outlines of a research project GMA HIV-AIDS to be submitted to a diversity of potential donors in Senegal as well as The Netherlands. This also will be realized in close co-operation with local experts.