Blantyre Prevention Strategy Featured as a Global Exemplar in HIV Prevention and Resilient Health Systems

Posted in CIGH In the News

The Blantyre Prevention Strategy (BPS) has been highlighted as a model of locally-led HIV prevention by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Exemplars in Global Health, showcasing how district-driven systems can sustain HIV services even through uncertain times.

Led by Dr. Gift Kawalazira, Director of Health and Social Services for Blantyre, in close partnership with the National AIDS Commission (NAC) and Ministry of Health Malawi, BPS has developed a scalable, district-driven, and data-guided model that keeps people at the center. Even as budgets shift, the approach continues to deliver — demonstrating the strength of local leadership and evidence-based planning.

“A successful HIV prevention strategy is like a jigsaw puzzle – every piece matters,” said Dr. Kawalazira.

As Principal Investigator for BPS, Dr. Charles Holmes, Director of the Georgetown Center for Innovation in Global Health (CIGH), noted how these interlocking pieces are driving real-world results:

“BPS, now adapted across both Blantyre and Lilongwe, underpins Malawi’s long-acting PrEP scale-up, reaching 10,000 vulnerable people through strong local leadership and shared systems.”

🔗 Read the full feature on Exemplars in Global Health here.