LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Health rights activists and national HIV stakeholders have urged government and partners to maintain strong financing and focus on the HIV and AIDS response, warning that gains made over the years must not be reversed.
Speaking during World AIDS Day commemorations, health activist Mazuko Matemba stressed the need for continued investment in HIV programmes.
He said HIV and AIDS must remain a key priority for government, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities, noting that the disease still has no cure and continues to affect young men and women.
At the same event, National AIDS Commission (NAC) Executive Director Beatrice Matanje announced that Malawi has reached HIV epidemic control.
She said the country has successfully achieved the 95-95-95 global treatment targets—with 95% of people living with HIV diagnosed, 95% of those diagnosed on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment virally suppressed.
Matanje further highlighted a significant decline in national HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 and above, dropping from over 14% in the late 1990s to 7.3% in 2020, reflecting the impact of sustained national interventions.
Despite this progress, activists are calling for consistent financial support and commitment to ensure Malawi maintains these milestones.
They warn that without continued focus from all sectors, the country risks losing the gains made in controlling the epidemic.
The call comes as Malawi aims to strengthen its HIV prevention, treatment and community support systems to sustain the progress achieved so far.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and Aids (UNAids) has announced its decision to leave Malawi and coordinate affairs from Zimbabwe, sparking concern among stakeholders in the HIV and Aids response.
The move is part of a broader transformation under the UN80 initiative, aimed at reforming the UN system.
According to UNAids Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, the decision follows a request from the UNAids Board proposing a new operating model for the organization.
While a small UNAids Secretariat presence will remain in Lilongwe, the bulk of technical and strategic leadership will be provided from Zimbabwe.
Byanyima assured that the UNAids Joint Programme will continue to support Malawi’s efforts to end Aids as a public health threat by 2030.
Concerns from stakeholders
Stakeholders, including the Civil Society Advocacy Forum (Csaf), have expressed deep concern over the recommendation.
Csaf chairperson Gift Trapence described the decision as “a devastating blow,” noting that UNAids has been central to Malawi’s progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets and the 2030 ambition of ending HIV as a public health threat.
Trapence emphasized that UNAids’ absence risks undoing the fragile progress made in Malawi’s HIV response.
Government response
The Malawi Government has increased domestic financing for HIV programming, according to Ministry of Health’s HIV and Viral Hepatitis Directorate deputy director Rabson Kachala.
However, government officials were not readily available for comment on the UNAids decision.
Impact on Malawi’s HIV response
Malawi’s fight against HIV and Aids has made significant progress in recent years, with the country achieving 95%, 91%, and 87% of the UNAids 95-95-95 target. Despite this progress, stakeholders warn that UNAids’ exit will have far-reaching consequences for HIV service delivery, community resilience, and human rights.
With over 1 million Malawians receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment, the country’s HIV response remains a critical concern.
As Malawi navigates this new development, stakeholders are urging the government and international partners to work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the gains made in the country’s HIV response.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi is emerging as a beacon of hope in Africa’s quest for self-reliant healthcare, showcasing how countries can adapt to dwindling donor support while maintaining crucial health services.
Speaking at the Africa’s Roadmap to Self-Reliant Healthcare webinar, Beatrice Matanje, Chief Executive Officer of the National Aids Commission (NAC), emphasized the need for African nations to look inward and fund their own health priorities.
Matanje highlighted Malawi’s commitment to healthcare, citing the allocation of MK5.1 billion to HIV programming to support commodity co-financing, strengthen laboratory sample transport, and recruit frontline health workers.
“The path ahead is not paved with aid but with audacity. Africa has the talent, resolve, and ingenuity to build health systems that serve our people,” Matanje said.
She stressed the importance of adaptive leadership grounded in evidence, as outlined in the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order.
Matanje also drew attention to examples of governments taking charge, such as Nigeria’s legislature approving an extra $200 million for vaccines and HIV treatment, and Ghana’s presidential directive to cover USAid funding gaps.
Matanje’s remarks come against the backdrop of the 2001 Abuja Declaration, where African countries committed to allocating at least 15 percent of their budgets to health.
However, two decades later, the average spending remains low, at just 7 to 8 percent, with only a few countries meeting the target.
The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of $86 (approximately K150,000) per person annually for basic health services, but Malawi currently spends about $16 (approximately K28,000) per person.
Despite these challenges, Malawi’s efforts demonstrate a commitment to self-reliance and sustainable healthcare solutions.
LILONGWE-(MANA)-National AIDS Commission (NAC) and Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has advised Malawians particularly people living with HIV not to be deceived by false and misleading information about HIV and AIDS cure trending on social media.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing the two organization jointly organized, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NAC Dr. Beatrice Matanje said currently, HIV has no cure and the current treatment was taking of Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARVs).
She said recent joint investigations by NAC and PMRA, in collaboration with Malawi Police Service (MPS) have uncovered disturbing trend where some individuals are tampering with labels of unknown medicines which they later advertise as “Gammora HIV Cure” falsely claimed to be permanent cure for HIV and AIDS.
“These fake products are then sold to people living with HIV at exorbitant prices ranging from MK90,000 to MK260,000 per purported dose,
Such deceitful adverts, if shared and believed have the potential to foster an environment that endangers the lives of many people living with HIV,” Matanje said.
The CEO advised People Living with HIV to remain vigilant and always consult a qualified healthcare professional who could assess their condition, prescribe appropriate medication, and provide guidance on its safe use.
“Taking medication without a prescription can pose several health risks including harmful side effects or ineffective treatment due to incorrect dosage or wrong medication, potentially harmful drug interactions,” she added.
Director General of PMRA, Mphatso Kawaye said NAC and PMRA, in liaison with other regulatory bodies such as Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and Police would pursue all cases of false, inaccurate and misleading information on HIV and AIDS and bring all perpetrators to book.
“Anyone with information regarding illegal sale or distribution of falsified medicines is encouraged to report to the two institutions or Police for action. The Public is implored to ensure that they are not lured in any way by the sensationalized adverts on HIV and AIDS issues,” he advised.
NAC and PMRA has warned the public that it is an offence under Section 25 of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act, to proclaim or publish misleading, false or inaccurate information concerning HIV and AIDS.
It is an offence under Section 98 of the PMRA Act, 2019 to manufacture, import, assemble, dispense, sale any medicinal product or medical device which is falsified and substandard.
Zimba (2nd Right) hands over cheque to Kankhomba (middle) as other officials look on – photo by Benjamin Maona
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Castel Malawi has contributed MK2.5 million towards this year’s World AIDS Day which was commemorated on December 1.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the cheque to National AIDS Commission (NAC) at Mpemba Veterinary ground in Blantyre on Thursday, Castel Malawi Human Resources and Corporate Affairs Director, Gloria Zimba said they joined the cause to support Government and other stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, because as a company they believe they have employees who could be affected or infected.
“We believe we are part and parcel of this country as well as the NGOs that are running several functions in the country. One of the functions is the fight against HIV/AIDS. At Castel we have 625 direct employees and about 5,000 indirect employees.
“When we are look at the value chain, we have got over 11,000 that are affected by us in our value chain, so we believe we should also take part in this fight against HIV/AIDS because we know if it is not our direct employees, it could be those people in our value chain who could be affected in one way or another,” said Zimba.
NAC Commissioner McLan Kankhomba commended Castel Malawi for the gesture saying the money will be used in various ways including capacity building of its stakeholders including organizations that work in communities.
“We are going to use this donation to further the aims and the mandate of the Commission. As you are aware NAC is established under the HIV/AIDS Management and Prevention Act 2018. Its functions are to coordinate, lead and intervene in coordinating HIV/AIDS activities in the country.
“We are also there to encourage people not to discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS in the communities. So, this money will be used for civic education, awareness, and dissemination of HIV/AIDS information in the country,” said Kankhomba.
This year’s AIDS Day was commemorated under the theme: Equitable Access to Quality HIV/AIDS Services for All.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Some of the country Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the banner National Civil Society Consultative Forum on Global Fund (NCSCFGF) on Friday took to task Action Aid International for misappropriation of grants coupled with fraud.
The grouping is also accusing Action Aid for favouring fellow International Organisations when granting funds on HIV/AIDS programs implementations in the country.
The forum has cited several international organizations that have been given grants leaving locals grappling with resources.
The grouping told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe that there is a need for Action Aid to cease being the main recipient of Global Fund to Malawi.
The CSOs say they have evidence to prove Action Aid’s fraud details on Global funds.
The forum is however demanding the return of National Aids Commission (NAC) to be the sole recipient of the grant on behalf of Malawians.
There was no immediate reaction from Action Aid Malawi Country Director Grace Malera on the matter as she could not be reached for several attempt on her mobile number.
Below is the fully statement of National Civil Society Consultative Forum on Global Fund (NCSCFGF) issued and signed by its Chairperson Lucky Mbewe;
CALL TO REVIEW THE OPERATIONS OF THE COUNTRY MANAGEMENT OF THE GLOBAL FUNDS IN MALAWI
We the Civil Society Organizations in Malawi, wish to call upon the Malawi Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, the Government of Malawi and the Global Fund to review the operations and management of the global funds in Malawi. There are high anomalies, mismanagement, and cases of fraud in how the global funds have been managed by Action Aid Malawi since they became the country’s recipient of the funds.
In 2015, the Global Fund made a decision to kick out National AIDS Commission (NAC) as a Country’s recipient of global funds for Malawi. They cited anomalies and issues of fraud on the part of management of the funds by NAC. Upon kicking out NAC, the decision was made to take the country’s recipient to non-state actors in a bid to ensure there is efficiency and effectiveness of the fund. Action Aid Malawi was picked as a Country’s recipient for the funds.
As Civil Society Organizations in Malawi, we have noted that since HIV and AIDS funds management went to Action Aid, there are alleged gloss mismanagement, cases of fraud, and lack of capacity within Action Aid to manage the Global Fund. It’s sad that since Action Aid became a recipient, every year Malawi has been returning money to Global Fund due to lack of absorption capacity yet at the same time they are failing to fund the NGOs.
Without fear of contradiction, the reasons why NAC was removed as a recipient of global Fund as compared to what is happening with Action Aid, shows that there is a greater bias towards international institutions. Issues within NAC were manageable yet the issues happening within Action Aid are much worse.
Our conviction and justification is that the Global Fund support comes to a country in order to benefit the locals hence the need to probe and question issues when they are wrong.
Issues of Fraud and Mismanagement.
There are evidence that in the process of the fund, there has been huge elements of fraud and mismanagement of the global funds.
There are instances that instead of transferring money into sub grantees accounts, Action Aid and other Sub Grantees were drawing cash and giving to implementers which raises a big questions of accountability.
In 2016 while implementing an Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Lilongwe, Action Aid instead of being a coordinator decided to become an Implementer.
Further instead of working with local Organizations decided to partner with a fellow International Organization. What is saddening is the fact that a 2 year project was only implemented in three months due to the alleged fraud and corruption.
We question how can K8billion be spent within 3 months and no impact shown on the ground?There are also evidence that the staff within Action Aid managing the Global Fund has been demanding kickbacks from sub grantees and that they are only funding groups that they can go and get their shares. This needs to be probed as well.
The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) has let down Malawi
We are saddened with the role that CCM has played in the whole management of the Global Funds in Malawi. It seems that the CCM is part and parcel of this mess and mismanagement of the funds at Action Aid. We say this because every time when organizations query the implementation of Global Fund, the CCM is quick to ask for a meeting between the stated Organization and Action Aid. For Instance, CCM tried to coerce CYECE and CASCOD to talk with the Executive Director for Action Aid and see a compromise on how they will be supported instead of correcting the situation.
Development Partners have let down the people of Malawi
We have noted for time and again that there is indifference on how development partners and the western government in this case the British Government treats and respond to case of fraud when it comes to institutions that are from the same countries.
We have noted that just because Action Aid is a UK charity, the British Government does not take a hard stance on the issues of fraud and mismanagement. What has been happening at Action Aid if it was a local NGO, it would have been blacklisted and the Global Fund would have taken a hard stance on it. But we noted the level of complacency on the part of donors and development partners in dealing with international NGOs with kid gloves.
Our Demands
Reconstitute the Malawi Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism
2. The Global fund must review its position of the local recipient and revert back to NAC
3. Probing of all the officers within Action Aid involved in the grant management for their role of the Global Fund mismanagement towards the recovery of the resources
4. Global Fund and Action Aid must institute a forensic audit on how the funds have been utilized as we suspect that there have been gross mismanagement and fraud.
5. ACB must probe Action Aid in the issue of management of the global funds and its benefiaries.
6. The NGO Board and CONGOMA must review the role of International Organizations in implementation of projects as they are usurping the space of local NGOs. INGOs must not be implementers but rather partner with the local organizations
7. The British Government must probe the role of Action Aid as a UK based Charity on how its contributing to the local mismanagement of the funds in Malawi and other underdeveloped countries.
8. All District CSO/CBOs network must not allow any International NGO to implement any actions related to Global Fund as by law are not required not to do so
Signed by
Lucky Crown Mbewe
CHAIRPERSON
ENDORSED BY
1. Center for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education
2. Eye of the Child
3. Counselling of the Adolescent and Youth Organization
4. Youth Appause
5. Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs
6. Ufulu Wanga
7. Mzuzu Youth Association
8. Ntchisi Organization for Youth and Development
9. Malawi Congress of Trade Unions
10. Centre for Youth and Children Affairs
11. CRAPAC
12. CASCOD
13. Project Child Malawi
14. CISE
15. Action Hope Malawi
16. Network for Capacity Building in Education
17. GICOD
18. OSF
19. NEST
20. HRCC
21. YOCRIS
22. MASUNA
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