HIV This Week

Collins C, Coates TJ, Szekeres G. Accountability in the global response to HIV: measuring progress, driving change. AIDS. 2008 Suppl 2:S105-111.

Accountability implies that institutions and individuals are answerable for their commitments and responsibilities. The concept of accountability is highly relevant in the global response to HIV because governments, donors and other actors have often failed to keep their commitments to expand funding and service delivery levels. Many governments have not been held accountable for failing to address the HIV-related needs of their populations adequately. Accountability is about more than passing judgement. Effective accountability mechanisms can be powerful tools to improve service delivery by providing constructive assessments and motivating decision makers to avoid negative external critiques. An impressive variety of HIV-related accountability projects have emerged over the past few years, the most prominent being the ongoing monitoring of government compliance with the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment. Other accountability efforts are essential in order to capture perspectives and priorities outside of governments and aid agencies. Many civil society-based accountability projects are now tracking HIV policy, service delivery and funding levels. Collins and colleagues make several suggestions to increase the impact of accountability efforts, including connecting accountability to sustained advocacy, holding multiple actors accountable, continually assessing what measures of success will be most powerful in driving improved outcomes, and supporting and building the capacity of civil society monitoring efforts. They also suggest exploring how the International AIDS Conferences could serve as an expanded platform for accountability.

Editors’ note: Accountability means measuring progress toward goals, commitments, and responsibilities for action at all levels: Accountability is a powerful tool to improve the quality, accessibility, and equitable delivery of services. Thus, accountability is an important social justice issue in the response to HIV. More robust accountability efforts, which build capacity for and stimulate constructive dialogue between health consumers and policy makers while measuring the appropriateness of programme choices, require increased financial and technical support. They are well worth the investment.