Job cuts at MACRO up to 50% of staff face chop: NAC aid cut repercussions

The Malawi Aids Counselling and Resource Organisation (MACRO), one of the country’s oldest providers of HIV and AIDS services, may be forced to retrench at least half of its workforce by June this year as a result of a 50 percent aid cut from National Aids Commission (NAC).

Kumbweza Banda:  NAC board chair
Kumbweza Banda: NAC board chair

This development will drastically affect thousands of Malawians who rely on the organisation on HIV and AIDS services especially voluntary counselling and testing (VCT).

NAC was, early this year, stripped of its long time status as Malawi’s principal recipient of Global Fund due to failure to meet funding criteria and its beneficiaries, such as Macro, are feeling the pinch.

Macro executive director Kibble Ngalauka is quoted on a local blog (www.mosesmasiyeblog.wordpress.com) owned by a local journalist that the organisation has issued a memorandum informing its staff members of what it calls ‘massive retrenchment’ following the aid cut.

“NAC has told us in writing that come June, 2015, it will only provide 50 percent funding,” Ngalauka told the blog.

NAC board chairperson Mara Kum’bweza Banda was not available for comment on the issue.

After NAC was stripped of its status by Global Fund, Action Aid, World Vision and the Ministry of Health were identified to be recipients of the fund under the new dual financing requirement which needs to have two recipients one from government side and the other from civil society.

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No tribalist lomwe.
No tribalist lomwe.
9 years ago

The best was to avoid the misuse of funds at nac. Otherwise this means the world has gotten the news as truth and saddening 4 a new g/ment to commit such a blunder. However its no worry to hiv/aids patients as funds shall come thru other orgs. Boma makani pena sathandiza.zamanyazi

Isaac chagwa mzuzu
Isaac chagwa mzuzu
9 years ago

This will indeed affect many fellow Malawian but God is always ready to sustain His people.

ganimunthu
ganimunthu
9 years ago

What about fundraising efforts. You want you do not have a fundraising strategy. It’s long time you stood on your own.

Jonjo
Jonjo
9 years ago

This will not affect the provision of VCT services since almost all hospitals/health centers offer VCT for free using the available providers. Nowadays it recommended that health providers provide PITC (provider initiated counseling and testing) depending on the status of the patients/clients during the time of visiting the hospital/health center. To me this has made organizations like MACRO absolute it terms of HTC/VCT provision since it available in all facilities and outreach services in the country. MACRO should focus on other interventions other than HIV/AIDS if it has to survive Global Fund issues.

Achimidzimidzi
Achimidzimidzi
9 years ago

NAC kusamva.

republic of chewaland
republic of chewaland
9 years ago

zikatheka za fedulo, muzikalipilila pa dedza road block ma border pass pochokela ku kabula, mukafuna kukaonelela mpila ku stadium kawawa. border pass ina muzikalipila pa kasungu mukamachokela ku chikangawa. 24 hr pass only. clear-clear!

republic of chewaland
republic of chewaland
9 years ago

zikatheka za fedulo, muzikalipilila pa dedza road block ma border pass pochokela ku kabula mukafuna kukaonelela mpila ku stadium kawawa. border pass ina muzikalipila pa kasungu mukamachokela ku chikangawa. 24 hrs only. clear-clear!

Muziganiza Kaye
Muziganiza Kaye
9 years ago

You mean Timothy Mtambo yields that much authority? Hhmm! So the non-tumbukas are only Mtambo’s chola boys and girls? Hhmm! That is how it reads when one looks at tribe and not at issue! Well, congrats Mtambo for having been crown the ONlY powerful voice

GEZZA
9 years ago

Kodi nde a BEAM osesawa tingowasissiya! We are waiting wanthu timatcha liti! Atule maudindowa pansi basi!

mbani
9 years ago

Asova mbava

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