NGO fights HIV, Covid in Karonga District
F
ind Your Feet, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has intensified awareness campaign on HIV and Covid-19 in Karonga District.
Speaking on Tuesday during the campaign in Senior Chief Kilupula’s area, the organisation’s district project officer Prince Kayira commended traditional leaders and area development committees for leading the fight against stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
He said the traditional leaders play a crucial role in encouraging people living with HIV to continue taking their anti-retroviral drugs.
“We rely on traditional leaders to mobilise people to go for HIV testing and encourage those living with HIV not to default on treatment,” said Kayira.
Group village head Mlindafwa said they convince communities not to discriminate against people living with HIV.
“We reached out to our subjects with Covid-19 and HIV messages, encouraging them to observe Covid-19 preventive measures,” he said.
Kilupula Area Development Committee chairperson George Mwafulirwa said, as leaders whose role is to facilitate development, they want healthy citizens who can contribute towards the development of the area.
Karonga District HIV and Aids coordinator Thumbiko Munthali said they are doing everything with partners to reach out to those living positively to consistently take drugs to boost their immunity.
He said there are 17 000 people living positively in the district and at least 7 000 are said to be defaulters.
With funding from United Kingdom-based ViiV Health Care Limited, the organisation is implementing a Building Resilience of Adolescent Mothers Living with HIV in the district.
