Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), an organisation dedicated to ending HIV/AIDS, has raised concern over a growing number of people defaulting from Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Chiradzulu, describing the situation as a setback in the fight against HIV.
Lucy Khongonyowa, EGPAF District Manager, told MBC Digital that by September 2024, about 44,852 people were on ART in the district. However, by June 2025, the number had dropped to 43,210, a 2 percent default rate, due to factors such as hunger, busy schedules, transport challenges, and unreported transfers.
To curb the problem, the organisation is running a five-year project dubbed “Score 95 percent” which promotes HIV testing, instant commencement of ARVs to those found negative and suppressing viral load.
Khongonyowa explained that ART defaulters are traced through phone calls or physical follow-ups, while Community ART Distribution Points supply medication every quarter.
She further said one member of Community ART Groups goes for a refill on behalf of others in times of stock-outs. For habitual defaulters, she added, they use the police, chiefs and Social Welfare Office to enforce administration of the drugs.
Chairperson of Mwayiwathu Support Group under Senior Chief Likoswe, Isaac Mazudi, said they continuously encourage members to stay on treatment, stressing timely refills to maintain viral suppression.
Chiradzulu District Health Office, in collaboration with EGPAF, on an increase in the default rate but singled out stigma and discrimination as the major factor.
District Health Office Public Relations Officer, Dalitso Gulani, said several interventions are in place to reverse the trend. These include intensified counselling and psychosocial support, strengthening adherence and peer support groups, and providing special clinics for teen mothers and adolescents.
By Chrissie Mainjeni
