Lilongwe communities for more on HIV/Aids interventions

Communities in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) M’bang’ombe in Lilongwe have requested service providers in the district to increase HIV interventions there.

The communities requested this during a youth open day organised at Chigonthi Village in the area by Lilongwe district executive committee’s (DEC) Youth Technical Subcommittee (YTS) to sensitise youths on HIV and Aids and social protection interventions the district is implementing.

“Even though we learn HIV and Aids at school and from the media, we do not have access to facilities within the community where we can learn more and even get relevant assistance,” said Clement Nkhoma, one of the youth that attended the open day.

One of the health workers that provided HIV counselling and testing (HTC) during the event, Steve Chikaonda, said a number of people in the area—especially the youth—were interested in going for HTC, but lacked access to them.

“There is usually high demand for HTC services when events such as these are held. From the questions that the majority of the youth that accessed HTC at the event asked, it is evident that they lack necessary information about HIV,” he said.

Chikaonda said the most affected areas are villages that border Kamuzu International Airport and Lumbadzi which are neglected due to their proximity to the city.

YTS secretary Alida Mazungwi, who is also district youth officer (DYO), agreed with Chikaonda, saying the committee has noted that T/A M’bang’ombe needs more interventions from both government and non-governmental organisations dealing with HIV and Aids. n