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BCC to achieve 90:90:90 by 2020

Blantyre City Council (BCC) has said it will increase HIV and Aids awareness among its citizens to ensure that it diagnoses 90 percent of all people living with HIV.
The council also seeks to start and retain 90 percent of those diagnosed on anti-retro therapy (ART) as well as achieve viral suppression of 90 percent of patients on ART by 2020.

Chalamanda
Speaking in an interview at Limbe Market where he presided over the city’s Candle Light Memorial Commemorations, BCC mayor Noel Chalamanda said it is high time Malawians took HIV and Aids testing seriously so that those found positive can start taking ARVs immediately.
Said the mayor: “HIV and Aids has not only affected Blantyre City, but Malawi as a whole. We want to conduct vigorous awareness to achieve the 90:90:90 campaign in 2020 so that by 2030, we should be able to achieve the world target of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero HIV and Aids related deaths.”
Speaking in an interview as one of the organisations that mounted pavillions at the ceremony, Malawi Police Service (MPS) Southern Region HIV and Aids coordinator Eluby Jere said awareness saves many lives as it enlightens people on the importance of getting tested and being on treatment if tested positive.
She said before MPS stepped up its awareness campaigns and trained counsellors to counsel police officers, 10 to 15 officers were dying of HIV and Aids daily, but currently there are fewer deaths.
Said Jere: “Things have improved greatly in terms of HIV and Aids related deaths. Since the beginning of this year, only three officers have died of HIV and Aids [related illnesses] in the Southern Region and 19 in the country as a whole.”
The Candle Light Memorial Commemorations started with a big walk from Limbe Police offices to Limbe Market where the ceremony took place under the theme Supporting The Future.
Activities during the commemorations included, viewing of pavillions set up by various institutions working in the fight against HIV and Aids, dances by Chichiri Prison Arts and Performing Group, candle lighting and prayers by leaders from various denominations.
International Aids Candlelight Memorial is commemorated every third Sunday of May. n

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