Malawi: HIV/AIDS test for 200,000 people

  1. Posted on Monday 6 April 2009 - 11:25
    Harry
    Image of Harry
    Harry Mangulenje, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
    The Malawian government is to test about 200,000 people for HIV/AIDS during the country's HIV/AIDS testing week, Malawi's Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has said. Mary Shawa Principal Secretary for Nutrition and HIV/AIDS said the testing was shifted after noting that there was a clash with electoral activities.
    HIV_AIDS
    “At first we used to have it in July but due to national census we thought of shifting to a better date when people will always have chance of going for the testing. We didn’t want to be panicking. This time around we are expected to test over 200,000 people nationwide,” Shawa said.

    She said in 2007 they targeted about 150,000 people but the turn-out was so impressive in that about 200,000 people came out for the voluntary testing.

    Shawa added that the initiative, which was started in 2006, has seen over 350,000 being tested. In 2006 the initiative, according to Shawa tested about 90,000 people that year.

    “AIDS is a serious problem and we need to be well prepared because it involves issues of confidentiality, health and other problems that need to be considered before starting out the testing week,” she said.

    She then commended the country for making strides in reducing HIV and AIDS prevalence rate from 14.4 percent as reported in 2004 to 12 percent as recorded last year.

    HIV/AIDS testing week promotes people to go for voluntary testing and counseling.

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