Malawi Network of People Living with HIV and Aids (Manet-plus) has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to people living with HIV in Ntchisi.
The items included hand sanitisers, disinfectants, soap and buckets.
Speaking during the donation on Saturday, Manet-plus Ntchisi vice-chairperson Benson Chabwera said they observed that many people living with HIV could not afford to buy PPE.
“People living with HIV are at high risk of contracting Covid-19; hence, the donation,” he said.
Chabwera also said they will follow up on people who have stopped taking antiretroviral drugs and counsel them accordingly.
One of the beneficiaries, Charles Nyalubwe, said the PPE will protect them from Covid-19.
He encouraged his colleagues to follow Covid-19 preventive measures such as wearing face masks and washing hands regularly with soap.
“I have noted that some people have relaxed the observance of Covid-19 guidelines. Yet, the disease is still in existence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ntchisi District Health Office has intensified awareness campaigns on Covid-19 preventive measures in the district.
The district’s director of health and social services Lumbani Munthali said they have since engaged traditional leaders, mostly from Malomo in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chilooko, to form by-laws to help with the enforcement of Covid-19 preventive measures.
In an earlier interview, Ntchisi district integrated disease surveillance and response coordinator Yotamu Kwauma said the by-laws include limiting numbers of people attending funerals.
