There are several areas that the policies should focus on such as, providing information through sex education, prevention of mother to child transmission, providing treatment to the infected by issuing the anti- retroviral drugs, encouraging behavior change, only to name but a few. Other alternatives include increasing the funding and changing the approach of the program (Kelemen, 2008). For instance, the abstinence- only plan should be changed to include the ‘ABC’ of AIDS.
Without clear and effective policies, an increase in the funds cannot lead to success in combating the epidemic. Furthermore, a clear outline on how the funds are to be spent should be put in place. The U. S. should also lead other rich nations in relieving African countries of debts. This will enable these countries to save a substantial amount of money that can be used to combat AIDS. More options that the American government can take is to take seriously the role of being the global leader to effect the accessibility of AIDS drugs to Africans and to ensure the production of generic drugs for Africans.
The US government also has immense influence on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund which it can harness to make these two Bretton Woods institutions increase budgetary allocations to Africans to this end. Many individuals and organizations across the political divide support the idea of increasing the funds to combat AIDS in Africa. Both the Democrats and the Republicans do not seem to be having a problem with the extension of the US war against AIDS to Africa.
For instance, the Democrat presidential candidate, Barrack Obama has talked about his programs and promises of healing the world, of whom Africa is chief. He talked of extending financial aids to Africa and the ameliorations of health care services in America with the dominant aim of reaching out the whole world with better health care programs. On the other hand, Hilary Clinton, his main opponent and also a fellow democrat has also talked about dealing with contemporary issues affecting Africa on becoming the US president.
John Mc Cain who is a republican also in his presidential campaigns talked about improving the health care services and extending them to Iraq and into the African continent. Conversely, research conducted by the Partnership for HIV AIDS Research in African Affairs and Programs indicate that 98% of African Americans supported the American involvement in the African HIV AIDS crisis, while 78% of American whites gave a yes to it (Kelemen, 2008). What the critics are against is how the funds are utilized. Some are against the current program due to what they call neo- colonialism.
For instance, America dictating to African states what they should be doing with the funds is not considered good. The U. S. should use a multilateral approach so as to include other states rather than taking a unilateral stand. It should also work in collaboration with African governments to necessitate the impacts of its programs. Both the democrats and republicans support the U. S. government’s involvement in combating the epidemic in Africa. However, they feel that the policies should be changed so as to make the campaign successful.
Experience from Uganda shows that with good policies and funding, the campaign can be successful (http://www. avert. org/aafrica. htm. ) Several interest groups support or oppose these alternatives based on their beliefs and opinions. For instance, the Catholic Church is against the use of condoms but support campaigns on abstinence and a reduction in the number of sexual partners (being faithful). The general feeling in the public is that the funding should be increased. They are of the view that expenditure of the funds should be clearly outlined so as to avoid money wasting.
In conclusion, the budgetary allocation should be increased. This is because the current amount is insufficient to reverse the trends. With a revised AIDS program for Africa, the funds can help reduce the effects of the epidemic on the continent.
REFERENCES
Akukwe, C. & Foote, M. (2001). HIV/AIDS in Africa. Retrieved on April 17, 2008. From http://www. fpif. org/briefs/vol6/v6n15hivafrica_body. html Columbus, H. F. , & Olufemi, W. , (2006), Politics and Economics of Africa. Nova Publishers. ISBN: 1600211747