1. THE MALAWI BUSINESS COALITION AGAINST HIV/AIDS (MBCA) VIDEO CONFERENCE DIALOGUE ON PRIVATE SECTOR HIV/AIDS RESPONSE: OBSTACLES AND SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES FOR PARTNERSHIP 21 ST MARCH 2007

2. 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION  The MBCA was established in 2003  An NGO mandated by the Malawi Government and the private sector to coordinate the private sector’s HIV/AIDS response in the workplace  MBCA’s mission is to mobilize, coordinate and advocate for the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS policies and programmes that ensure the sustenance of businesses and lives of employees and their families in Malawi  Currently has a membership of 46 companies

3. 3 2.0MBCA’s PARTNERSHIP NETWORKS  The Global Business Council  The Pan African Business Coalition  The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI). MBCA actually evolved from the MCCCI  MBCA’s members include multi national organizations like Unilever SEA, Illovo, Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company and others. Some of these were instrumental in the setting up of the MBCA

4. 4 2.0MBCA’s PARTNERSHIP NETWORKS cont’d  Ministry of Health especially the HIV/AIDS Unit and the National AIDS Commission mostly in coordinating the ARV programme  Regulatory bodies like Pharmacies, Medicines and Poisons Board, Medical Council of Malawi and the Nurses and Midwives Council  NGOs like MACRO, PSl, BLM

5. 5 3.0MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMMES  ART programme for the private sector clinics and currently working with 38 clinics  Inclusion of ARVs on medical scheme (Medical Aid Society of Malawi)  Currently over 3,500 clients on ARVs in the private sector.  Leadership trainings for Chief Executive Officers  Development of workplace policies and programmes  Training of Trainers in Peer Education  Meetings on a quarterly basis and working with all partners in planning, implementation and reporting  Funding is from the NAC

6. 6 4.0CHALLENGES  Funding: need for more donors to support MBCA activities  Capacity of the Secretariat: can be overcome with more funding to scale up  Lack of top management support for workplace HIV/AIDS programmes in some organizations: need to continually sensitize them

7. 7 5.0MAIN BENEFITS TO MEMBERS/PARTNERS  ARV programme to all members  Capacity building to all members  Quarterly meetings present advocacy forum on relevant issues  Resource Centre for HIV/AIDS materials  Representation of private sector needs in national HIV/AIDS programming and policy development forums

8. 8 6.0MAIN BENEFITS TO MBCA  Sharing of relevant information and best practices  Access to IEC materials  Funding source

9. 9 7.0OPPORTUNITIES/NEXT STEPS  Continued support from the Government of Malawi and NAC  Recognition of MBCA by the private sector companies as their HIV/AIDS coordinating body  Condom programming  Advocacy  Capacity building in HIV/AIDS programming  ART programme