A project implemented by the National Association of People Living with HIV and Aids in Malawi (Napham) in three traditional authorities (T/As) in Kasungu has improved lives of people living with HIV (PLHIV), according to stakeholders.
Secretary of Wimbe HIV and Aids Support Group PLHIV Yohane Banda said they were initially facing various problems and had no idea how to resolve them.
“The biggest problem was discrimination. We are always sidelined in the Public Works Programme [PWP] and other development activities.
“Access to health services remained a challenge. Stock-out of bactrim in health centres was the order of the day and shortage of staff in health centres coupled with no space for receiving anti-retro viral therapy [ART] meant that PLHIV were combined with other patients,” he said.
However, things have changed for the better after the Napham project, according to Banda.
He said: “The project has opened our eyes and we can now solve these problems.”
Napham district coordinator Mphatso Mbewe said the project’s focus was to ensure that PLHIV should access better services.
He said the Positive Action for Equitable Access to Better Services for People Living with HIV and Aids project implemented in T/As Wimbe, Kaluluma and Njombwa has helped enlighten PLHIV to demand their rights and lobby for quality health services.
The Oxfam-funded project worked with two support groups in each of the three T/As. n
