MANERELA+ encourages Malawi men to undergo HIV testing as females troop in
Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living or Personally Affected by HIV and Aids (MANERELA+) has encouraged men to undergo HIV/Aids testing as one way of preventing themselves from contracting the deadly virus as well as immediately starting taking ARV’s when tested positive.
The call was made following the revelations that women out-numbered men in a special HIV/Aids testing service conducted prior to the World Aids Day Commemorations which falls on 1st December every year.
MANERELA+ identified 132 hotspots across Dedza district in the central region as one way of making sure that they reach out to people from unreachable areas to have access to HIV testing services.
According to Project Officer for MANERELA+ in Dedza Harold Kachepatsonga, 44 people people were tested positive during the exercise conducted between 28th November to 4th December 2016.
“We identified about 132 hot spots to offer HIV testing services and the results are that 4,207 people went for HIV and Aids testing. Out of the total figure, 1,691 were males and 2,513 were females. 44 people were tested HIV positive” Kachepatsonga told Nyasa Times in an
interview.
He said the exercise was aimed at supporting Dedza District Council in preparations for the 2016 World Aids Day Commemorations of which the first lady Dr. Getrude Mutharika was the Guest of Honour.
Kachepatsonga said the week was of great significance as they managed to reach out to people who most of the times do not have acces to HIV/Aids services.
He added that there is a strong need to work hard in the fight against HIV/Aids as it happens to be one of the major threats to efforts to drag the nation out of poverty.
“We want to encourage Malawian’s to go for HIV And Aids testing and make sure we reach out to them with correct information in HIV prevention and make sure they access good treatment, care and support,” Kachepatsonga said.
He therefore vowed to continue the fight and make sure that people from unreachable areas have access to HIV testing services in the district in conjunction with Dedza district Council and with support from the Malawi government under the Ministry of Health (MoH).
MANERELA+ is currently carrying out HIV/Aids related programmes with support from Christian Aid with funding from Global Fund.
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