HIV/Aids worsen among fishers, sex workers in Mangochi

Mangochi district Aids coordinator Ernest Kadzokoya says high HIV and Aids prevalence among fishers and sex workers in the district is a source of concern which needs mainstreaming.

He said this at Cape Maclear Primary School in the district during World Aids Day commemoration.

“Statistics indicate that 28 percent of fishers have the virus while 62 percent of sex workers have it. This is a disaster bearing in mind that the percentages are surpassing the national rates which are 16 and 10 percent respectively,” he said.

Kadzokoya asked other fishers and sex workers to get tested to know their statuses and start taking anti-retroviral if they are found HIV positive.

“HIV and Aids is a menace which is among us. Please let’s combat it by heeding what government and other stakeholders advise us,” he said.

Councillor for Monkey Bay Ward in Mangochi Monkey Bay Constituency, Chimkwita Bulirani, underscored the need to be sensitised about the pandemic.

He said for HIV and Aids to be combated, there is need for a holistic approach where people are alert and say no to the ways that lead to the spread of the disease. n