The objective of the Programme is to support Member States to develop policies and programmes and build the capacity for the delivery of the health sector response to HIV/AIDS. This includes rapidly scaling-up access to treatment and care and accelerating prevention while strengthening health systems, in the context of universal access.

The functions are:

• To provide normative guidance and generic tools to member states for intensifying HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts towards attainment of global, regional and national goals and targets.
• To provide technical support to member states for accelerating and scaling up implementation of prevention, care, and treatment interventions for HIV/AIDS; especially HIV testing and counseling, prevention of mother to child transmission, STI prevention and control, blood safety, male circumcision, and antiretroviral therapy.
• To support countries in accessing and managing additional resources (including antiretroviral medicines and other commodities) from global, regional and national partnerships for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
• To provide technical support to member states for strengthening procurement & supply management systems and laboratory services and networks.
• To support member states to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and evaluation systems for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
• To strengthen capacity for the conduct of operational research for evidence-based decision making.