BACKGROUND:
Civil Society Movement Against Tuberculosis in Sierra Leone (CISMAT-SL) is a Civil Society led movement, non-profit making and a coalition of Civil Society Organizations working on the campaign against tuberculosis in Sierra Leone in order to promote the involvement of Civil Society groups in TB campaigns and increase advocacy efforts for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of TB in Sierra Leone. The coalition has 15 members, organizations around the country that is committed and has been giving their time, energy and resources in running the affairs of the coalition’s activities over the years.
The organization was established as a result of how HIV/AIDS is fueling a resurgence of TB in many areas of the world particularly Sierra Leone. Global incidence of TB has increased over the past 10 years, killing approximately 2 million people annually. At the same time, TB is a leading cause of death by infectious disease for people living with HIV/AIDS. Yet when contrasted with the extent of social mobilization around HIV/AIDS, the lack of political commitment and Civil Society involvement to TB control is striking. Though there is no current research on TB and HIV burden, Sierra Leone also bears a huge TB and HIV burden like other countries namely Nigeria. Unfortunately when compared to HIV, awareness about TB among the general population in Sierra Leone is extremely poor. Despite the existence of a free TB treatment programme, information about how TB is spread, signs and symptoms and where to access TB treatment services is still lacking.
OVERALL GOAL:
To strengthen Civil Society to monitor the implementation of TB related programmes and engage in policy debate and dialogue for increased access to TB health care and control for vulnerable population in Sierra Leone.
VISION:
To see a state where Civil Society Organisations are the lead campaigners against TB by involving them in all National TB/HIV Control Programmes in Sierra Leone.
MISSION:
To ensure a TB/HIV free society there by building the capacity of CSOs on TB/HIV advocacy related programmes in order to enable them respond to TB/HIV prevention and care in Sierra Leone through lobbying dialogue, Advocacy, communication and Social Mobilization programmes and the engagement with policy makers, care providers, and people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHAs).
OBJECTIVES:
1. To work and engage with policy makers and central government on the development of policies formulation relating to stigma and discrimination and to capture TB/HIV programmes and policies into the national budgets through advocacy, lobbying and dialogue by helping to move the TB issues to the top of the agenda in Sierra Leone.
2. To stimulate awareness raising campaign including International celebrations during World AIDS and TB Days in communities as well as the general populace on TB/HIV related issues.
3. To organise Engagement Forums and seminars with parliamentarians, MDAs to raise up the voices of CSOs on TB issues in order to stimulate the establish of a parliamentary sub-committee on TB.
4. To contribute to the implementation of the STOP TB Partnership Strategy as integral part of related activities and catalyse achievement of TB related MDGs 2015.
5. To integrate Human Right Based Approach into TB programmes, policies and interventions to achieve Universal access to TB prevention, care and treatment through contributing to TB prevention, empowerment of TB patients and communities, improve of quality services, addressing co-morbidities, including HIV, reaching key vulnerable groups and facilitating access to care and control.
6. To broad base Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) activities i.e. active participation from all stakeholders including community representation to maximize synergies on TB prevention, care and control.
7. Create a mechanism and forums for increased advisory role of CSOs to the work of the CCM in the implementation of evidence- based Tb policies and programs.
8. Identify critical joint areas of work (e.g. monitoring, implementation, advocacy, creating accountability mechanisms between CCM and Civil Society Organisations to further global TB control activities.
NAMES AND CONTACT OF MEMBERS ORGANISATION OF CISMAT-SIERRA LEONE.
1 Names of Organisation: Service For Peace-Sierra Leone(SFP-SL)
Contact person: Abdulai .A. Sesay
Address/Phone number/District:23 Percival street, Freetown, +23277-273135/+23276-202849
Email address:sierraleone@serviceforpeace.org , serviceforpeacesierraleone@gmail.com
2 Names of Organisation: HIV/AIDS Care and Support Association (HACSA)
Contact person: Mohamed Parker
Address/Phone number/District: 46 charles Street, Freetown, +23276-902806/+23277-326378
Email address: Hacsa2009@yahoo.com
3 Names of Organisation: Conscience International-Sierra Leone
Contact person Paul Brima Bangura
Address/Phone number/District:14 Bathurst Street, Freetown, +23276-616829/+23277-200413
Email address: sierraleone@consciencein-international.net
4, Names of Organisation: Women’s Health and Economic Development Association(WHEDA-SL)
Contact person:Adama Dumbuya
Address/Phone number/District: 38 Azzolini Highway, Makeni, +23233-806739/+23378-900-288
Email address: whedasl@yahoo.co.uk
5 Names of Organisation: Men’s Association for Gender Equality(MAGE)
Contact person: Tamba David Mackieu
Address/Phone number/District: Mafindor Road –Penguma Section, Kailahun, +2376-757194
Email address: magesierraLeone@gmail.com
6 Names of Organisation:Men’s Agenda for National Development(MAND-SL)
Contact person: Kemoh K. Daramy
Address/Phone number/District: 26 Immam Street, Bankolia, Kabala,
+23233-809441/+23276-619194
Email address: Mandkoi201@gmail.com, johnballamarah@yoo.co.uk
7 Names of Organisation: Katanya Women’s Development Association(KAWDA)
Contact person: Daisy Saquee
Address/Phone number/District: 70 Regent Road, Lumley, Freetown/Bonthe, +23233-662344
Email address : Kawdorg1996@gmail.com
8Names of Organisation : Gateway Development Services –Sierra Leone(GDSSL)
Contact person:Henrietta M. Lahai
Address/Phone number/District: 18 Ferguson Street, via bacon field, Freetown
Email address: gadssl@yahoo.com
9 Names of Organisation: Deseret Women Development Organization(DWDO)
Contact person: Agnes I. Conteh
Address/Phone number/District: 88 Pandemba Road, Freetown
Email address:deseretwosil@yahoo.co.uk
10 Names of Organisation: Kyphoscoliosis Initiative For Therapy & Empowerment[Kite-SL)
Contact person:Mohamed Bangalie Kamara
Address/Phone number/District: 3 Sunday Street Foamex Calaba Town Freetown,+232 77 20 60 48
Email address: kitesl@yahoo.com
11Names of Organisation: Torture Watch Organization-Sierra Leone (TWO-SL)
Contact person : Alex B.M Kaikai
Address/Phone number/District: C/O amnesty International, 16 Pandemba Road, Freetown., +23276-183511
Email address: torturewatchsil@yahoo.co.uk , demand.dignity@yahoo.com
12Names of Organisation : Tangible Academic Youth Forum(TAYFO-SL)
Contact person : Alieu B. Sesay
Address/Phone number/District: 22 Garrison Street, Freetown , +23277-519772
Email address: alieutayfo@yahoo.com , tayfosl@yahoo.com
13Names of Organisation: A World Institute for a Sustainable Humanity (AWISH-SL)
Contact person: Alpha Beretay
Address/Phone number/District: 92 Wilkinson Road, Freetown. +23233-515183
Email address: awishsl@yahoo.com , alphaberetey@yahoo.com
14Names of Organisation :Sisters Of Zion-Sierra Leone(SOZ-SL)
Contact person :Haja Fatmata James
Address/Phone number/District: N304 Lowcost Housing, Kissy.+23277-848355
Email address: fathay@yahoo.com
15 Names of Organisation : Mid South Africa Link-(MSAL)
Contact person: Abraham Bah
Address/Phone number/District: +23233-394890
Email address: Ibah2003@yahoo.com
Note:
Most of these organisations have offices in some of the districts. And the coalition is open for more CSOs partners to join.