ENGAGING POLITICAL LEADERSHIP — WORK WITH CITY & DISTRICT COUNCILORS
Dr. Edna N Bosire
Former Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Georgetown University
In Blantyre, political leaders had not been actively engaged in the HIV response for quite some time prior to BPS. The BPS project has aimed to engage political leaders in the local health system and leverage their leadership to enhance the delivery and sustained use of HIV prevention services in Blantyre. Starting initially with the City Councilors, but expanded in 2024 to include District Councilors as well, BPS partners provided data and HIV training through a “structural risk working group” formed with the Councilors. Councilors learned about HIV and its structural driversto enable them to address issues that create ripe environments for HIV injection to occur as well as barriers to service access, uptake, and continuation. It is also hoped that the Councilors will be empowered to utilize their HIV prevention training and political capital to create or enforce existing bylaws that address or mitigate those structural risks.
Training through BPS has empowered Councillors Yesaya, Phekanj, Osman, and Chimbanga to provide their communities with comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS, focusing on prevention and treatment. City and District Councillors have been empowered to educate their communities about prevention strategies through awareness campaigns and where to find services, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), PrEP, and condoms. For example, Councillor Osman leverages his passion for football to bring people together and educate them on HIV prevention. In addition, Councilors have partnered with Ward Civil Protection Committees (WCPC) to help spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Uche Selassie Yesaya
Councillor - Michiru Ward
Thokozani Kawazira Phekanj
Councillor - Soche West Ward
Isaac Jomo Osman
Councillor - Bangwe Nthandizi Ward, Blantyre City
Leonard Chimbanga
Councillor - Blantyre Soche East Ward, Blantyre City
