The current National Aids Commission (NAC)’s mid-year review report has revealed that the nation is making head way in combating the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic with the prevalence rate of 10.6% as 34,000 people are infected yearly.
The development comes amid sour relationship between NAC and Global Fund’s changing of the its resources principal recipient of the country to Action Aid Malawi due to the First Lady’s Beatify Malawi and Mulankho wa Lomwe’s tapping NAC funds on activities not related to HIV/AIDS.
With the country’s current response to HIV/AIDS, the report shows that incidences of the pandemic has been reduced from 66,000 in 2012 to 34,000 in 2014 representing 50% with 521,139 people on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment in 2014 from 3,000 in 2004.
The study revealed that pregnant women on ART treatment have increased from 32% in 2011 to 73% in 2014 with 13% reduction of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) from 50% in 2011.
In this regard, the national response on the pandemic is taking a new direction with fast truck approach on reaching 90% in people knowing their status in 2020.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday this week during NAC’s Joint Bi-Annual Review conference in the capital Lilongwe, Dr. Jean Kalilani, Minister of Health expressed gratitude on the progress the nation is fighting against the deadly virus saying the battle ranges on.
Dr.Kalilani attributed the reduction in prevalence rate to comprehensive national responses including free ART treatment, mass awareness campaign, sufficient funding in support with other stakeholders locally and internationally.
“With the current status the nation is taking in fighting the pandemic, now it’s time to focus on 90% towards people knowing their HIV/AID status by 2020 which will reduce the pandemic further”, assures Dr. Kalilani.
Responding on how NAC’s funds will be used for intended purpose, Paramount Chief Kyungu, NAC’s new board Chairperson, assured the nation and donors that the organization operation won\t be business as usual saying any penny will be accounted.
“My appointment into NAC by the head of state wasn’t political but based on integrity to serve the nation. Therefore, business at NAC won’t be usual but transacting everything in the interest of Malawians”, challenges Paramount Kyungu.
