Location: The National AIDS Commission is located on #8 17th Street in the Kings Park Area in Belize City.

Resources: The NAC receives all necessary funding for its various initiatives from a global fund.

History: In an effort to combat the growing problem of HIV/AIDS in Belize, the Ministry of Health, led the national response to initiate a solution. In an effort, however, to engage the wider community, the MOH held a special session in which concerned citizens led to the establishment of a National AIDS Task Force (NATF). This group wascharged with facilitating a situational analysis that would guide future planning. The NATF recognized from the onset the significance of promoting a multi-
sectorial response and proposed that a formal body be established in this regard. By 1999, it was obvious from Belize’s first strategic plan that a broader based approach would be required.

When the National AIDS Commission (NAC) replaced the NATF in 2000, it was located in the Ministry of Human Development, Women and Civil Society under the chairmanship of the Minister. Since its establishment, the NAC in 2004 has since been legislated as a statutory body in accordance with the Act and placed under the office of the Prime Minister. The NAC is mandated by the Cabinet to facilitate, coordinate and monitor the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Belize. In addition, the NAC has the responsibility to advocate for policies and programs in support of the response and to mobilize resources for the implementation of the activities proposed within the National Strategic Plan.

In 2002, the National AIDS Commission with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Fund Project embarked on a consultative process in view of proposing a draft National HIV/AIDS Policy document to be presented to Cabinet for consideration. This effort was guided by the Policy and Legislation subcommittee of the NAC led by Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Chairperson.

During the period 2002 – 2004 a review of HIV related legislation and a survey of perceptions were conducted. Country-wide consultations with major stakeholders were also completed so that the views of many concerned sectors could be included. This broad consultation process culminated in January 2005, with the Draft National Policy on HIV/AIDS.

During that same year, the NAC facilitated several national workshops to build support and consensus for the passage of the national policy. Over 200 persons and roughly 40 organizations including key businesses, religious and civil society sectors participated and pledged support for the policy. It is with this level of community support, that the policy was then presented and approved by Cabinet in December of 2005.

The Policy adopts a HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES perspective, which incorporates the fundamental rights enshrined in the Belize Constitution and the commitments set out in the National Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan as well as our international commitments in the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGS) and the United Nation’s Special Session on HIV/AIDS, 2001 (UNGASS).

This National Policy was created to protect the rights of the persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. It also lays the foundation for the development of the appropriate legal and ethical framework that will then guide the conduct of persons living with HIV/AIDS, service providers, the public and private sector and the general public. Lastly, ithighlights the fundamental principles and guidelines required to create


Overview: The National AIDS Commission was appointed by Cabinet in the year 2000 and officially enacted by law as a Statutory body in 2004. It is charged with the responsibility of coordinating and overseeing the national response. The NAC, through its chairperson, reports directly to the Office of the Prime Minister. The NAC is expected to promote inter-sectorial collaboration and resource mobilization for the implementation of the national strategic plan, advocating for the establishment and strengthening of relevant programs and services in support of PLWHAs, development of relevant HIV/AIDS policies and legislation for the prevention of stigma and discrimination, and finally, creating the necessary mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the overall response.

Structure: The Commission falls under the Office of the Prime Minister. The Commission consists of high level governmental representatives as well as non- governmental including PLWHA’s.

Role and Responsibilities:
The core responsibilities of the NAC include:
• Building partnerships at the local, regional and international levels
• Defining the national policy agenda
• Approving and guiding sectorial plans
• Approving budgets in support of the implementation of the NSP
• Establishing national standards
• Evaluating and monitoring all programme targets at the national level.

The Commission also has the flexibility to appoint subcommittees. Such sub- committees include the Policy and Legislation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Care and Treatment and Information-Education and Communication, Community Based Care to strengthen the response of the Districts and Faith Based Response.

Composition of the NAC: The NAC is comprised of representatives from all key stakeholder groups, i.e., representatives of government departments that include the Ministries of Health, Education, Labour, Human Development and Tourism as well as PLWHAs, the business sector, youth, other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and representatives of district AIDS committees. The UN agencies and other such entities serve as technical partners to the national counterparts.

Mandate: “To effectively facilitate and monitor the implementation of the National Strategic Plan to reduce the incidence and spread of HIV/AIDS and provide comprehensive, quality support to persons living with HIV/AIDS.”

Mission: “To effectively coordinate multi-sectorial programs which address prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS in Belize, while promoting healthy sexual behaviors reducing discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and providing easy access to services to those in need.”

Vision: “The National AIDS Commission will strive to ensure that Belize decreases the rate at which HIV/AIDS is spreading and will be providing comprehensive social services which are affordable and accessible to all persons living with HIV and their families. Discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS will be decreased and public and private sector programs addressing the HIV/AIDS situation will be well coordinated and resourced.”