Youth groups support ARVs adherence

Adolescents and young people living with HIV in Chikwawa have commended the formation of youth support groups to enforce adherence to anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy in the district.

In an interview yesterday, Stella Zeka, a youth from Tigwirizane Support Group in Traditional Authority (T/A) Lundu, thanked Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (Cowlha) for establishing the groups.

“Through the youth support groups, we now know the importance of adhering to HIV treatment. I was one of the people that defaulted taking ARVs.

She said: “My problem got worse when I lost my parents because they were the ones that used to remind me to take my drugs timely.”

Another youth Felix Zawiri from Tiyese Support Group in the area said the introduction of youth support groups has helped youths living with HIV to freely express themselves on various challenges they face in their day-to-day life.

“The support groups that included older people living with HIV restricted our freedom of speech. We are pleased with the formation of support groups comprising the youth only because we can now express ourselves freely,” he said.

Chikwakwa District anti-retroviral therapy coordinator Marko Suzumire said youths living with HIV are now able to practise self-care and fulfil their sexual and reproductive health rights and HIV needs in a supportive and respectful environment.

Cowlha execut ive director Edna Tembo said the initiative will run up to September 2024.

“It seeks to ensure that young people living with HIV adhere to treatment, accept their HIV status and feel supported by their families.

With funds from Aidsfonds, Cowlha is implementing a Youthwise Project in T/A Lundu in Chikwawa and T/A Chilipa in Mangochi