Chiradzulu District Health Office has described a drastic increase in several children accessing HIV and AIDS services as a milestone in managing the pandemic.
HIV Testing Services Coordinator for Chiradzulu Health Office, McPherson Simeji, said since the start of the project in 2024, they have tested 6,689 kids, a sharp rise from 2,350 in 2023.
Simeji added that some 338 kids who stopped taking ARVs some time back were traced and put back on treatment by December 2024.
“We do not want to leave anyone behind, we do not want stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. That is why we have intensified our sensitisation efforts and door-to-door testing services to manage the pandemic,” he said.
Through the “Bring kids back to care project” implemented by Foundation for Community Support Organisation (FOCOS), the district’s Health Office is conducting HIV testing and administering treatment to children aged between 0-14 years.
FOCOS Executive Director, Mike Kalemera, said the 2-year project, which will be phased out this December, is funded by the Aids Fund of the Netherlands to the tune of €750,000 (close to K900 million).
Kalemera added that the project is also implemented in Thyolo and Nkhata Bay districts by a consortium of NGOs like COWLA, Rich Trust and Macodeco, among others.
In Chiradzulu, the project is covering areas of Mpama, Onga, Likoswe and Maoni in selected health facilities like the district hospital, Chimwawa, Malavi and PIM health centres.
In 2021, the HIV Unit in the Ministry of Health conducted a study which revealed that the HIV prevalence rate among children in Chiradzulu and Thyolo districts was high and that most of them die due to late diagnosis and treatment.
By Chrissie Mainjeni, Chiradzulu
