Networks join forces to fight HIV amid Covid-19

Civil society networks focusing on HIV and Aids, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria have expressed fear that the coronavirus pandemic has diverted attention from other diseases which continue to affect Malawians.

Malawi Network of Aids Services Organisation (Manaso) board chairperson Maziko Matemba made the remarks in Lilongwe yesterday when he addressed the media about the coming together of the organisations for greater good.

He said: “We have come here in unison as civil society networks. It is true that we have different approaches but we are all targeting the same things hence the need for us to unite and work together.

“There has been feedback from various stakeholders on how some of us collide when seeking donor support and with that aspect we fail to reach out to the communities. As such, we believe working together will help us fight for the common good especially at this time when we have a pandemic.”

Matemba added that the organisations will soon meet with Minister of Health Khumbize Chiponda to discuss how best other diseases can be addressed amid Covid-19.

On her part, Malawi Network of People Living with HIV and Aids (Manet+) deputy board chairperson Harriet Chiomba says the platform will ensure unity among the members.

She said: “Our expectation Is that we will be empowered as organisations and we will together help our target clients and make Malawi a better place because currently there are more gaps that exist because we were all serving the same people with the same services.”

Chiomba added that with collaborative efforts, the organisations will be able to join forces and make ensure that focus on other diseases is not eroded.