HIV Prevention Coordinator at Lilongwe District Health Office, Jessie Lobeni said this during a community HIV prevention and STI awareness campaign held at Chiuzira Market in Lilongwe.
She said the figure highlights the urgent need to expand prevention efforts.
Therefore, Lobeni said HIV prevention services are being scaled up across Lilongwe, with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) now available in over forty facilities.
The campaign was organised by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in partnership with the Lilongwe District Health Office (DHO) and Lilongwe City Council.
Advocacy and Marketing Lead for AHF Davis Mwachumu emphasised the importance of condom use and regular testing as key strategies in preventing HIV and STIs.
Mwachumu further said that AHF will ensure condoms and testing services remain available at Chiuzira Market and other community sites.
Village Head Chiuzira noted that many girls in the area engage in sexual activities for survival, as most of them live alone.
He stressed that HIV continues to push the country’s development backwards, making prevention and awareness campaigns critical for the community’s future.
One of the youths who attended the awareness campaign, Emmanuel Pepala, has encouraged fellow young people to undergo HIV testing and STI screening to know their status, and to use protection when engaging in sexual activities.
The campaign provided STI screening and treatment, condom demonstrations and distribution, HIV testing services, and HIV self-test kits.
By Glory Chinyanga
