BLC: A Regional Response to Strengthen HIV Prevention

The Building Local Capacity for Delivery of HIV Services in Southern Africa Project (BLC), implemented by MSH and funded by USAID, was conceived to address many of the challenges of HIV and AIDS. BLC’s vision is by 2015, its partners (CSOs, government and intergovernmental institutions, and private sector companies) are stronger, more resilient, and able to support community, national, and regional structures to competently respond to HIV and AIDS issues, resulting in improved overall health in the southern African region.

In BLC’s five years of project implementation, its work at all levels has facilitated greater integration and coordination among partners. By ensuring that each link in the prevention and treatment chain is strengthened, BLC has promoted a coherent health infrastructure from the regional to the community level. For example, civil society organizations have an important role in providing education and basic services at the community level, but depend on health facilities for more advanced care and treatment, and on national government for resources and support. Regional and national bodies develop policies and guidelines which are only effective when clearly understood and implemented at the health facility and community levels.

For BLC, comprehensive HIV prevention services entail a spectrum of activities designed to educate communities about HIV, prevent further transmission, and ensure safe and effective care for people living with HIV. BLC provides capacity development and grants to more effectively deliver these services. This publication outlines BLC’s services, tools, results, lessons learned, and recommendations.