By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Lusaka Deputy Mayor Christopher Shakafuswa says community leaders have an important role to play in the HIV response.
Mr Shakafuswa said the general public relies on them to mobilize, guide and facilitate solutions for improved health outcomes.
He was speaking at the Community Peer Educator Training for HIV Prevention Treatment and Care.
The Lusaka Deputy Mayor stated that the objective of the training is to empower community leaders with relevant information and resources to impact their respective communities and ultimately increase demand for, and access to HIV services.
He explained that this particular workshop is under objective 4 which aims to build the capacity of clinicians and the community to facilitate optimization of HIV services.
Mr Shakafuswa stated that the workshop is supported by IAPAC through the international Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) and is part of the Fast Track Cities Initiative, of which Lusaka is signatory.
He further said IAPC has trained more than 200 clinicians in our health facilities and that he therefore hopes more community members will be trained.
The Deputy Mayor stated his hopes that those participating in the training will transfer the knowledge acquired to their community members and provide leadership in HIV prevention, treatment and care.
