ABOUT BPS
Prior to BPS, HIV prevention efforts in Malawi were fragmented and uncoordinated. Driven by the desire to address the HIV epidemic in Blantyre. The Government of Malawi’s National AIDS Commission (NAC) led a consultative process to co-design a solution that unified numerous disparate efforts and elevated district leadership. Key to this inclusive process was the emphasis on local insights and experiences in shaping the strategy through engagement with various stakeholders, including healthcare and public health professionals, community leaders, and representatives from non-governmental and academic organizations.
With active participation from the Ministry of Health’s Directorate of HIV/AIDS, STI & Viral Hepatitis (DHA), and the Blantyre’s City and District Council DHSSs, the consultative approach included:
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Listening sessions with Blantyre’s district and city health management teams in Blantyre
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Private sector and youth-led group consultation led by district and city leaders
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Community-based organization
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Input from national government representatives
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Engagement with donor and multilateral stakeholders, including UNAIDS, Global Fund, PEPFAR, and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and implementing partners to establish a deep understanding of the Blantyre health system’s unique challenges and gaps
BPS PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Data Access and Use
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A data pipeline that pulls in existing and novel data sources into user-centered dashboards in the Prevention Adaptive Learning and Management System (PALMS) has expanded access to and use of data across the district. Government, HIV prevention service providers, and other local partners are using PALMS for regular data review, deliberation, and decision making – improving the targeting and delivery of services as well as the patient experience. Learn more >>>
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Passive and Active Surveillance
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An IDSR-HIV pilot that has supported development of passive and active surveillance capabilities and processes to identify recent infection and/or proxy risk for infection by geographical area and sub-population, improving targeting of prevention interventions to populations most at risk.
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Community Insights
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A grassroots community lab model using human-centered design (HCD) model and other tools enable the District Health Office to solicit user preferences and community feedback, which inform better programming, changes to create more client-centered care, and creation of feedback loops between communities, the district and city health offices, and facilities. Learn more >>>
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Health Promotion
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Leveraging data, client insights, and community input through the network model committees, health promotion activities are targeted to populations and specific geographies based on need.​
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Quality Improvement for HIV Prevention
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The PrEPUp! Collaborative – the first quality improvement (QI) collaborative focused on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – involves all PrEP providers in Blantyre and is building capacity at facilities and at the district/city health offices to implement QI approaches for HIV prevention. Learn more >>>​​​​​​
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Linked Network Model
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The “Network Model” – In 15 initial district sub-geographies, BPS has supported the establishment of multi-sectoral linked networks to link and strengthen multiple, fragmented channels across sectors, bring community groups into program planning and implementation, leverage network resources, and ensure data-driven, coordinated HIV prevention activities are targeted. It has been a key approach in building a unified, local management system. Learn more >>>
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Engagement with Local Leadership to Address Structural Risk
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Structural Risk Working Groups engage Blantyre City and District Councilors to leverage their political capital the HIV prevention response. By providing education on HIV and structural risks, training on data use and decision making, and other supportive training, engage diverse stakeholders in their ward communities to address risks, structural barriers to service access, and resource gaps. Learn more >>>
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