CSOs to promote ARVs adherence
Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Mzimba District have pledged to promote adherence of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) among people living with HIV to help reduce the spread of the virus.
The CSOs are National Association of People Living with HIV and Aids in Malawi (Napham), Malawi Network of Aids Service Organisation (Manaso) and Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (Cowhla) as well as government agency National Aids Commission (NAC).
They made the pledge on Monday in a meeting with Mzimba South District Executive Committee aimed at identifying gaps among CSOs, community structures and health facilities in addressing challenges relating to HIV.
Speaking during the meeting, Napham project officer Naomi Dzuwa said they will target structures which include community-based organisations and support groups.
“We are working to ensure that people who stopped taking ARVs start taking them,” she said.
Manaso Mzimba district coordinator Isaiah Chitsulo pledged to work with Napham to facilitate and coordinate other CSOs to fight HIV.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that many more CSOs join us, especially those working in HIV and Aids sector to address the challenges of non-compliance to prescriptions given to people living with HIV,” he said.
Cowhla communications and project officer Edwin Nyoka said their organisation will ensure that the intervention reaches out to more women and the youth.
“We work to reduce the transmission of HIV among women and girls, through accessible quality HIV and Aids services,” he said.
