Minister commends Machinga interfaith HIV/Aids project
Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo-Chiponda has commended the unique project model of using sheikhs and pastors to increase men’s uptake of HIV and Aids services in Machinga.
The minister said this on Monday at Traditional Authority Chamba headquarters in Machinga where she appreciated successes of the Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi (Qmam) Faith Community Initiative on HIV Project.
Chiponda said faith leaders are held in high esteem by the community and their involvement is key.
She said: “HIV and Aids remains a public health threat in Malawi and the low uptake of HIV and Aids services by men and boys is a source of worry.
“We are happy that using sheikhs and pastors, they have managed to register success in the fight against HIV and Aids.
Chiponda said such an integrated interfaith approach to public threats can be used to spread public awareness on Covid-19 effectively.
Palladium Group/Health Policy Plus country director Olive Mtema said figures show that men and boys lag behind in accessing HIV and Aids services that is why they are working with religious leaders who are influential in the community.
Qmam secretary general Osman Karim said for a long time, most of the HIV and Aids initiatives have targeted women.
“Our implementing criteria were clear in that our primary target were men and boys.
“Using sheikhs and pastors, we wanted them to enhance HIV and Aids services utilisation, especially the HIV self-testing kits to know their status and if found positive, be enrolled on anti-retroviral therapy and adhere to treatment,” he said.
Qmam projects and development manager Ousmane Chunga said using sheikhs and pastors as HIV self-testing distributors, the project reached out to 7 482 men and boys in T/As Chamba and Mposa.
