National News

Sex workers HIV and Aids project hailed

Nkhotakota environmental Health officer Lilian Chimbayo has commended ActionAid’s project on HIV prevention for sex workers in the district.

She said this on Wednesday during the project’s exit meeting.

ActionAid launched the project in 2018 to reduce new HIV infections and improve the health and well-being of HIV positive sex workers in the district. The project also targeted other people living with HIV.

Said Chimbayo: “Looking at the figures, one would conclude that the project was successful, but we need to follow up and interview the sex workers to see how the project went and how best to continue it when another partner comes.”

Sex workers should be empowered

Actionaid Malawi programmes manager Dalitso Kuphanga said in 2018 they reached 172 sex workers against the target of 311, in 2019 they reached 698 against a target of 374 while 894 sex workers were reached in 2020 against a target of 440.

However, he bemoaned the high mobility of sex workers, saying it affected the project.

Said Kuphanga: “Many sex workers do not stay at the same place for long. 

“Today they will be at this place and tomorrow somewhere, which creates inconsistencies in service uptake.”

On his part, Nkhotakota district social welfare officer Macdonald Mpichi commended the project for engaging sex workers in the district.

“But we would also like the inclusion of programmes that look into the welfare of children of sex workers because many leave their children at home with no care,” he said.

The Global Fund supported project also included tuberculosis and malaria programmes.

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