El papel de los gobiernos locales en la lucha contra el flagelo del sida

The challenges imposed by HIV/AIDS in urban areas make it imperative to act at the local level. Local government agencies (LGAs) are closer to the victims of HIV/AIDS and are thus better able to undertake the needed actions. However, LGAs can succeed in the fight against HIV/AIDS only if they work closely with all levels of government and other local representatives of civil society that take part in the struggle against HIV/AIDS at the community level. In fact, the most obvious comparative advantage of LGAs may be their capacity for creating an atmosphere that is conducive to coordinating, directing, and undertaking local measures-both new and preexisting-against HIV/AIDS. Even with reduced support (financial or political), LGAs can achieve significant results in the fight against HIV/ AIDS by incorporating response measures against these conditions in the municipal agenda. It is precisely in order to help solve this complex situation that the World Bank has just published a book entitled Local Government Responses to HIV/AIDS: A Handbook. This text is intended for officials working for the mayor and members of local legislative bodies in charge of implementing sustainable and responsible measures against HIV/AIDS at the municipal level. Though it is hoped that each local government office will creatively follow the suggestions given in this manual, the theoretical framework and practical approach in it are a guarantee that applying them will lead to an improved ability to respond against HIV/AIDS on the part of local government agencies