Bridging the HIV/AIDS implementation gap

The growing implementation gap between HIV/AIDS planning and action must be bridged to enable scaling up of current responses to the epidemic. Local government, working with civil society, can play a critical role in bridging this gap. Increasing decentralisation and urbanisation have meant that local governments in Africa are assuming more development responsibilities. The Alliance of Mayors ' Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) is an example of how local governments, mayors and municipal leaders, in partnership with civil society, are mobilising support for decentralised action on HIV/ AIDS. Sufficient investment is needed at municipal levels to build and enhance local government capacity, including management systems for expanding and sustaining community-based HIV/AIDS services and programmes.