By ANDREW MUKOMA
COUNCILLORS in Lusaka must start working with the formulated Ward Development Committees (WDCS) in identifying the existing gaps, in the HIV/AIDS response especially in areas of testing, prevention, advocacy and treatment, says Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala.
Ms Chitangala says that these community platforms serve as vehicles for dissemination of health information, planning, advocacy and support to all HIV prevention programmes and activities.
She said a city with well-designed and coordinated HIV response platforms can be instrumental to unifying key stakeholders to support strategic HIV and AIDS programming.
She was speaking during the official opening of a five-day transformative capacity building workshop on fast track cities initiative project for elected councillors and part of management at New Fairmount Hotel in Livingstone yesterday.
Ms Chitangala said having a well-coordinated response in the city, will reduce duplication in stakeholder efforts and facilitate for the integration of planning, implementation and monitoring of HIV activities in the city.
“I must add that, for Lusaka City to fast-tract the HIV and AIDS coordinated response, there is need to identify challenges and holistically plan for the activities,” she said.
“I therefore, urge the planning department to quickly identify the most vulnerable groups and key populations that are at risk and map out all hotspots in the city so as to make my councillors understand their wards and help in generating strategies and interventions especially in reducing the spread of new infections,” Ms Chitangala said.
She added that the training is being held to impart knowledge to councillors on HIV/AIDS so as to bridge the knowledge gap that many have been having in understanding the devastating impact of the pandemic and also the HIV related activities being implemented in various wards.
Ms Chitangala also emphasised that the local authority does not work in isolation and the efforts being advanced by its partners UNAIDS, the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AID as in Africa, National Aids Council, International Association of Providers of Aids Care and the District Health Office cannot just go unnoticed.
Ms Chitangala said that, it was for this reason that she urges management to strengthen the cordial relations with the key actors and partners on HIV and AIDS in the city.
Meanwhile, Livingstone Mayor Constance Nalishebo Muleabai has called on elected civic leaders from the various political parties to work together and forget about the political inclinations.
Ms Muleabai said that there is need for elected leaders to work together to improve the welfare of citizens.
She encouraged civic leaders from Lusaka to take time and interact with their Livingstone City Council counterparts and share notes as one people.
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