HIV and Aids response not over—NAC official
National Aids Commission (NAC) has called for intensified efforts to further reduce rates of HIV and Aids now estimated at nine per cent.
NAC district coordinator Tione Chilambe urged against complacency during a District Aids Coordinating Committee (Dacc) meeting in Karonga.
She reckoned that the drop in HIV rates from 10.6 percent to about nine percent is good news, but it is still higher than other countries.
“There is no point rejoicing as if the battle has been won. We need to do more to further reduce the spread of HIV in our country,” she said.
Chilambe asked for sustained and innovative efforts to achieve the 90-90-90 targets. The global goals require countries to ensure 90 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 90 percent of those diagnosed with the virus are on sustained treatment and that 90 percent of them achieve suppressed viral load.
Chilambe added that people on ART need to stick to adherence to have their viral load suppressed to reduce chances of infection.
She encouraged community-based organisations to be transparent in the way they use money meant for HIV and Aids response and remain vigilant in ensuring people living with HIV do not default treatment and behavioural change messages reach everyone.
During the meeting, members elected Forum for Community Support Services (Focus) executive director Kossam Munthali as Dacc chairperson. n
