Dimapur, April 5 (MExN): It is learnt that Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) has submitted a proposal of a weighty Rs 24 crore for the oncoming National AIDS Control Programme Phase III (NACP). But if the April 5 “consultative” meeting between the NSACS and its implementing partners are anything to go by, there was only one loud, unambiguous message: show more accountability vis-à-vis fund utilization, policy-making and improve internal management. Meanwhile only cautious and excruciatingly brief references were made pertaining to the controversy over the appointment of a new NSACS Project Director or the allegations of fund misuse.
Ironically, the consultative meeting “on NACP III” held at the chapel of NMA AIDS Care Hospice, Kohima, held little conference over the project itself or the controversy concerning the appointment of a new Project Director. The reason for the incongruity was that the appointment of the PD is being observed as central as much as the implementation of the Phase III itself – because the World Bank’s guidelines for funding stipulate having a Civil Services administrative officer as CEO/Project Director. And the hitherto hush-hush tug-o-war between the NSACS and NGOs over who, or what official, should hold the chair, without doubt would decide the outcome of the approximately Rs 24 crore phase-III project.
Rather, the issues that received major highlight were that the implementing/service-provider entities should show more accountability in their project-implementation and that the NSACS-NGOs relationship be strengthened – there is much too big a “communication gap,” like Health & Family Welfare Secretary Imkonglemba pointed out in his address at the meeting.
Imkonglemba, also the chairman of NSACS executive body, said that many of the AIDS-based implementing NGOs are yet to submit even their annual reports (implementation and fund). Implying this to be a major cause of the “communication gap,” he said improvements in the implementation should be made. “It should be a partnership. An action plan with NGOs should be improved. Your performance will be determined by your reports” he said with the observation that it would be improper if at all the NSACS decides to ‘terminate’ grants “if you do not fulfill your commitments.” He reminded that ‘every NGO’ is answerable and accountable to projects implemented. He also made a serious observation for the 40-50 NGO representatives attending the meeting to wonder on: “In Nagaland we talk so much about resources. The Kingdom of God is within you!”
Making a brief reference to the media reports highlighting fund-misuse in the NSACS, the Secretary said that this “shows the concern of our many stakeholders” and whatever he meant when he added “if we understand reality, people do not understand.” In regard to the issue of the NSACS Projector Director, he simply said “this is the prerogative of the government” and no more.
On a more coherent level, various NGO representatives highlighted their grievances in the question-hour. Many of them sought ‘moral’ support from the NSACS (to which the Secretary promptly assured them “moral support is already given”). President of PPF, Abemo Lotha while highlighting the plight of PLWHs in accessing ART doctors, sought the inclusion of more PLWH networking and organizations in the policy-making of the NSACS. He implied that Positive People are being sidelined from the central implementation and policy-making process. More Positive People should be accommodated in the process and rather than only those who are from Kohima, PLWHs from all the districts should be included he said. He also requested for an ART doctor for Dimapur care center to which he was assured the process for the same is already on.
On the sidelines of the meeting, an NGO chief, on condition of anonymity disclosed there is little accountability in the whole campaign both from the NGOs and the NSACS side as well. “After the ‘Missing 2 Crore case’ (where one Richard Humtsoe was accused of fraud) people are suspicious now. Otherwise everything was running smoothly” the NGO functionary said. Several others, who attended the meeting, also refusing to be named, opined that departmental policy-makers and the NSACS should show more transparency. “Is there any level of transparency? Here is none at all!” one executive asserted. Several others agreed that the NGOs should not be blamed if any allegations of corruption or misuse of funds arise. “People always the NGOs but we are only implementing organizations. To be honest, we are not sure if even ¼ (one-fourth) of the funds from NSACS trickle down to the NGOs” one said during lunch break.
But on the implementation side? Bethesda Director WC Humtsoe, on the other hand when queried on the whole gamut expressed some satisfaction. “All the actual works are done by the NGOs. And it has achieved a lot due t the intervention of the service-providers” he said. Project Manager of Kikhre Foundation Bazo on her part expressed concern at the reservation of certain sections in regard to the projects. She said NGOs are only service-providers and that if the programmes are to be successful the system should be in place and finally, the services should be availed. The presence of doctors in hospitals cannot be expected if there are no patients approaching or stepping forward to avail the doctors’ services, the two opined.
Meanwhile as the NGOs and the parent agency ponder over the issue of internal transparency, possible corruption and institutional accountability towards the affected and infected HIV/AIDS and likened communities, classified information revealed that the NSACS has proposed an estimate of Rs. 24 Crore for the Phase-III programme. The details have been submitted. However, it has yet to receive any word of approval from the NACO for now.
