LETICIA MOURICE KAPELA
Board Chairperson
LETICIA MOURICE KAPELA
BOARD CHAIRPERSON
National Council of People Living with HIV in Tanzania (NACOPHA) is a national grassroots-based organization of all individuals recognized through organized groups, Clusters and Networks of People living with HIV (PLHIV) in Tanzania. NACOPHA leads as a unified voice of PLHIV, coordinates efforts of PLHIV in the national HIV response led by the Government of Tanzania.
NACOPHA, a non-profit organization, was established to promote meaningful involvement of PLHIV with the support of TACAIDS. The Constitution of NACOPHA provides the major objectives and functions of the Council and the vision, mission and core values. For more detailed tips. NACOPHA has a clear structure spanning from the General Assembly, the governing Board to the Secretariat staff and ultimately to the district and ward PLHIV clusters. For additional details, refer to these. The total number of registered PLHIV members is 640,483 (406,838 women and 233,645 men) which is estimated to be 43% of the total PLHIV number in Tanzania.
NACOPHA has been able to attract the attention of the Government Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Parliament, key international development partners particularly PEPFAR/USAID, Global Fund, and UN family. A number of other organizations, private companies both local and international, also engage NACOPHA as a key ally in HIV response. NACOPHA applies bottom- up approach for engaging policy and development actors, partners and collaborators at various levels.
Guiding Principle
We strongly believe that the key strategy to fighting HIV/AIDS pandemic is by Greater Involvement of People living with HIV/AIDS in planning and implementation of different programs against HIV/AIDs and recognition of the rights of people living with HIV/AIDs in Tanzania.
NACOPHA is guided by the shared vision and mission; however, for better alignment of these, NACOPHA has developed core values that are committed to live by.
Accountability
We are committed to be stewards of resources entrusted to us by our stakeholders, and use them in performing our duties in a rational manner and taking responsibility for all our actions, by conducting our business in a transparent manner.
Culture of Excellence
We strive to set challenging goals, excel in all our endeavors and innovations so as to deliver the best outcomes possible.
Gender Equality
We stand against all situations that deny right to decisions, power sharing and equal access to resources between men and women. We are fair, honest and open in all matters related to affairs of the Council
Respect for Human Rights and dignity
We respect the inherent inalienable rights of all human beings in all the dealings of the Council while upholding high moral principles in conducting our duties.
Voluntarism
We generate among the members and the society the spirit of participation in carrying out social and economic engagement based on free will for the common good.
Integrity
We are ethical, transparent, and accountable for our efforts and maintain consistently high standard.
NACOPHA has a national coverage, as it operates in all 26 regions and 174 district councils of Tanzania mainland. Currently the Council works with more than 13 National PLHIV networks.
The National PLHIV Networks composition differs based on key interest such as: Teachers and Journalists (TAPOTI, TNJ+); Young People (NYP,+ NNEYOP, TAYOPA); Women (NETWO+, DWWT, TNW+); People with disabilities (NEDIPHA+); Network of organizations (TANOPHA, TANEPHA+, SHDEPHA+); Religious Leaders (TANERELA); Key populations (SANA, CHESA, WAREMBO FORUM and TANPUD).
The total number of registered PLHIV members is 640,483 (406,838 women and 233,645 men) which is estimated to be 43% of the total PLHIV number in Tanzania.
PLHIV clusters exist as per NACOPHA’s Constitution and their leadership structure is as follows; Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and other 4 executive members 2 being youth (male and female). All are elected at the Annual Meeting of individual NACOPHA district clusters. PLHIV cluster leaders coordinate HIV response in their respective clusters and meaningfully engage PLHIV at the grassroots level. Each district council constitutes one PLHIV cluster working with support and empowerment groups at grassroots level. Ward clusters are currently being established and will hopefully cover all councils reached by NACOPHA.
- Promoting unity among the PLHIV
- Promoting public awareness about HIV/AIDS
- Addressing stigma and discrimination, and
- Establishing self-help groups to improve the overall wellbeing of PLHIV. Specifically, PLHIV Clusters
- Providing capacity building of PLHIV, Health Services providers, Para social and Paralegal workers, CMACs, Treatment Assistants (to conduct drugs availability Monitoring to all sites to ensure no stock out of drugs)
- Forming a link between the Secretariat and community.
- Participating in advocacy (issue-based dialogues, policy and guidelines and task shifting)
- Coordinating with implementing partners (JSI, TUNAJALI, FHI, CEGO, etc.) For capacity strengthening of PLHIV district clusters and HIV committees
- Assisting PLHIV in linkages and referrals services (clinical and non-clinical services), and providing support to PLHIV on reporting
1. Investing more in community engagement with PLHIV and community structures
2. Improved coordination among implementing partners to engage PLHIV- working through NACOPHA structure i.e PLHIV Clusters and working as one constituency
3. Continued support for collaboration with the Government, research institutions and implementing partners for learning, policy improvement and programming
4. Support more CSOs in policy engagement for improved enabling environment
5. Resource at stake to sustain impact and implementation of successful model of practice
Our approach to implementation of Interventions and engagement.
