The country’s civil society organization on the fight again the pandemic HIV/AIDS are calling the Malawi government to quickly come up with the policy which will facilitate those diagnosed with the virus starting receiving antiviral therapy (ART) earlier that latter in a bid to contain the viral load.
The calling comes as reports are rife that most people diagnosed with HIV are told to wait until their CD4 count is reduced to below 500 which consequently led to deteriorating of their condition, eventually leads to death upon taking the ART lately.
Through a press conference held on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 in the capital Lilongwe the CSOs including MANET +, CEDEP, MANASO, MANERELA+, CHRR, AVAC, JONEHA, SAT, MHEN and COWLHA indorsed the policy brief with recommendation for government to act immediately.
“Currently most people diagnosed with HIV,whilst still having a high CD4 count are told to wait until it reduces to below 500. CD4 count tests are a barrier to accessing early HIV treatment. Many of those who are told to wait come back when their condition has deteriorated to extremely low levels and some eventually die as recent studies show that up to 35-45% of clients who test positive never initiate ART because they are lost to follow ups.
“Starting HIV treatment immediately is better for the health of people living with HIV than waiting for a low CD4 count as it decreases the risk of death, developing AIDS, Tuberculosis by more than half, heart disease, cancer and drug resistance.
“Early HIV treatment contributes to having an undetectable viral load which prevents HIV transmission making ARVs among the most affective HIV prevention strategies as also studies show that no evidence of any HIV transmission between sexual partners if the HIV+ partner is on treatment and virally suppressed.
“Under both the international right to health and the constitution of Malawi articles 13 and 30, people living with HIV have a right to the highest standard of care; therefore, we are calling for an accelerated introduction of national policy on Universal Eligibility on ART alongwith the change to immediate HIV treatment, scale up community-based ART models, access to viral load testing and monitoring, ensure human rights protection and expand clinical programmes for key population”, demands the CSOs’ policy brief.
Later the Maravi Post caught up with Safari Mbewe, MANET+ Executive Director who led the delivery of the policy brief to the media by assuring total commitment and support towards the formulation and implementation of the Universal Eligibility on ART policy.
“We are totally committed to mobilize more people living with HIV to start ART early and renew their commitment to treatment adherence with evidence of effective alternative community based ART models, ensuring that all CSOs implement the Malawi Community Charter on getting to 90-90-90.
“In partnership with government and development partners, we will continue to demand, monitor accountability, transparency for an effective and sustainable community and national health systems for people living with HIV are fully informed about the benefits of early ART”, assures Mbewe.
Based on Ministry of Health data , by 2013, approximately one million Malawians were living with HIV such that end of June 2014, half of them were on ART .Currently, Malawi has almost reached the UNADS target of 90-90-90 among pregnant and breastfeeding women which has resulted into 66% of babies being born HIV free.
