NGO rolls out HIV testing project

Nkhata Bay District’s HIV and Aids prevalence rate is expected to drop following the rolling out of an HIV testing and counselling (HTC)project targeting all health centres in the district.

The project, to be implemented in partnership with Temwa—a UK registered charitable organisation operating in the district, aims at changing people’s perceptions and attitudes towards voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) besides intensifying such services through human resource improvement and outreaches to remote areas.

In an interview on Monday, the project’s district HTC aupervisor Austin Munthazi said Temwa has taken into account the rate at which the virus is spreading in the district.

He said: “I understand you are aware that Nkhata Bay is one of the districts in the country whose HIV prevalence rate is still high.

“Through the project, the organisation has employed HIV diagnostic assistants and expert client attendants at all health centres to beef up the staff  and fill in deficits which exist in most health centres”.

However, Munthazi bemoaned lack of the district’s men and boys involvement in HTC. He said knowing one’s status is key to prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT).

Temwa has already impacted over 40  000 beneficiaries in the district.