About Us
NCHADS: Mission, Functions and Structure
The National Centre for HIV/AIDS Dermatology and STDs (NCHADS) was established in 1998 following the amalgamation of the National Aids Programme (NAP) and the National STD and Dermatology Clinic. Since then, its primary purpose has been to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic through the implementation of HIV/AIDS Strategic Plans.
| ១. | NCHADS Mission Statement |
| ២. | The Overall Function of NCHADS |
| ៣. | The Structure of NCHADS |
| ៤. | Provincial AIDS and STI Programme |
The National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD Control (NCHADS) is the focal point within the Ministry of Health with lead responsibility for recommending and implementing policies and strategies for the health sector response to HIV and AIDS as well as STDs. Through the programme management of effective health services, it works to:
– reduce the risk of exposure to STDs and HIV.
– reduce the risk of transmission of STDs and HIV.
– provide care and support for those infected.
The overall function of NCHADS
The National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD Control is an operational unit of the Ministry of Health. It provides health sector policy development for HIV/AIDS and STDs, programme management, provincial support, coordination with other partners in the health sector, guideline development for HIV/AIDS components, national health sector plan evaluation and dissemination of epidemiology, behaviour and effective STD/HIV/AIDS prevention and care information. It conforms to the coordinating strategy of the National Aids Authority (NAA) and works in partnership with other Government Ministries, Donor Bodies and Provincial Health Departments. The Centre manages the disbursement of programme and government funds according to previously approved work plans, under its Strategic Plan. Subsequently, it monitors and reviews progress against those plans, taking action to achieve conformance where necessary. Additionally, NCHADS has responsibility for the management of the National Dermatology and STD Clinic.
The organisational structure of the Centre, which reflects its mission, is detailed in the organogram. Below the Director, who heads the Centre, the structure complies with Ministry of Health practice by dividing into a Technical Bureau and an Administration and Finance Bureau. The former undertakes the technical and service delivery related responsibilities of the Centre whilst the latter provides financial control and conducts administrative processes, including logistics and procurement.
Provincial AIDS and STI Programme
The Provincial AIDS and STI Programme (PASP) is a sub-unit within the Disease Control Unit, under the Technical Bureau, in the Provincial Health Department.
The PASP has responsibility for planning, managing, coordinating and reporting for the implementation of the HIV/AIDS and STI programme, under the overall policy, strategy and coordination of NCHADS. The Provincial AIDS and STI Programme is responsible for managing, disbursing and accounting for funds released from NCHADS for implementation. In addition, the PAO manages IEC, the CUMEC, the POT, the special STI clinics and Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT) services in the provincial town; and supports ODs for all other activities.
At provincial level staff are divided by decentralised activities into management, and implementation (clinical and OD) staff. The numbers of staff working on the programme in any province depends on the numbers of services (targeted STI clinics, VCCT, Continuum of Care) provided under the Provincial AIDS Office, the number and risk assessment levels of Operational Districts in the province (High Risk ODs and Low Risk ODs) and the extent of divcoverage of activities.
