By: Lloyd M’bwana
The Malawi government through Ministry of Health (MoH) in April 2016 is expected to roll out universal eligibility for early treatment on antiviral therapy (ART) those diagnosed with the virus in a bid to contain the viral load.
The development comes as a relief to the country’s civil society organization on the fight again the pandemic HIV/AIDS which in September 8, 2015 called government to swiftly come up with the policy which would facilitate those detected with the virus to start taking ART earlier that latter for better treatment.
The policy call formulation derived from reports 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.
Addressing the new conference on Wednesday, November 25, in the capital Lilongwe ahead of 2015 World AIDS National Commemoration slated for December 1, at Chisitu, Traditional Authority (T.A) Chikumbu, in the southern district of Mulanje, Mirriam Mangochi, The Director for the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS (DNHA) in MoH
assured the general public that government was committed to eradicate the pandemic by 2030.
Mangochi said the Universal Eligibility Policy on ART was at an advance level with its readiness for implementation by April 2015 that the scourge of the pandemic is eradicated completely to make Malawi a free generation from HIV and AIDS.
“There is total commitment from the highest of the land-The Presidency that come 2030 the pandemic is completely wiped out hence quicker formulation of the new policy on the matter to facilitate its implementation.
“When the policy is in place, will guide all implementing partners in making sure that those directed with the virus are on early treatment as this has proven to be the most effective way containing the viral road resulting into inactiveness of virus in people bodies which able to contribute to the development of this country effectively”, assures Mangochi.
The Maravi Post later caught up with Abigail Dzimadzi, Executive Director for Malawi Network of Aids Support Organisation (MANASO) the host of this year’s World AIDS National Commemoration on the uniqueness of the event who said implement the Malawi Community Charter on getting to 90-90-90 was key pillar which must be practiced
across the nation.
Dzimadzi revealed that Mulanje was one of the fourteen districts contributing to 80% of people living with HIV and AIDS and also prevalence rate due to early marriages, closer to boarder posts and booming of tea estate hence the its hosting this year’s national
event.
“Mulanje has over 63,000 people living with HIV/AIDS which is still an alarming figure. This reason, we want this year’s event should take place there for raising much awareness that the general public must be responsible enough with their lives.
“Apart from Mulanje, most urban district and cities including Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Balaka, Mchinji have high HIV/AIDS prevalence due to booming of sex work and growth of the cities which attracts more people flocking to the area. Thus, people must indulge themselves in preventive approach to control spreading
further of the pandemic.
“We are also delighted that the much awaited policy on early treatment on ART has seen the node from the country’s president for making sure that its in place comes April 2016. This is a milestone in the fight against the pandemic. We still need continuing uniting in fighting the pandemic.
The recent Ministry of Health data report shows that approximately 1.1 million Malawians were living with HIV such that end of June 2014, with 570, 000 of them were on ART in 700 collecting sites 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
