adminNokuthaba Mathema Chronicle Reporter
THE National Aids Council (Nac) expects to raise $33 million through the Aids Levy this year, amid revelations that it has secured funds for HIV and Aids interventions for the next two years.Nac finance director Mr Albert Manenji said recently that a total of $560,2 million would be used for HIV and Aids mitigation programmes between next year and 2015 in the country. He, however, revealed that there had been a shortfall of about 3, 9 percent as the council had set a target of $583, 1 million.
Mr Manenji said an average of 80 percent of financial resources was externally funded.
“The funding analysis is that from a requirement of $583, 1 million for funding for 2014 and 2015, $560, 2 million was secured from domestic resources (Aids levy), Bilateral Institutions, United Nations agencies and the Global Fund,” said Mr Manenji.
He said nearly $250 million had been set aside to finance HIV and Aids programmes in the country for this year.
Mr Manenji said more than $32,5 million was collected last year through the Aids Levy with reports that about $18, 6 million was channelled to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
“A total of $32 540 576 was collected from last year’s Aids Levy. There was $18 601 635 that was diverted to ARVs, $1 716 187 was channelled towards reagents, for kits, $2 484 was used while $1 489 783 was used for equipment and $1 013 356 was channelled towards outreach support.
“There is need to ensure that the national response is adequately funded. There has to be sustainable funding for the response in light of diminishing global resources,” said Mr Manenji.
The Aids Levy was introduced through enactment of the National Aids Council Act (Chapter 15:14) and has been maintained annually by the subsequent Finance Acts. It is three percent of PAYE and corporate tax. It is collected by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and remitted to Nac monthly.
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derick.khumalo