When VCT Becomes "Compulsory"

When 30-year-old Margaret Fombezi* went for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) two years ago, two things had compelled her to do so: frequent attacks of some opportunistic diseases and the presence of the Anti-retroviral therapy incase of one testing HIV positive.

Margaret was not, in any way whatsoever, forced by anyone to go for VCT. What she had read and heard about HIV/AIDS through different media and literature was enough to make her realize that having one's blood tested for HIV is not only important but necessary and logical too especially in the advent of the life prolonging drugs ARVs.


"VCT as the term implies is not compulsory," explains Fombezi, "you can choose to go for it or not. But then come to think of it: there's this chance of having the quality of one's life improved when infected with the HIV but the catch is that you must have your blood tested for the virus first.

"So in my opinion, lateral thinking would rather not let one perish in the dark than come in the open by having their blood tested so as to have access to the drugs, special care and counseling services available in the country," observes the Lilongwe-based Fombezi.

Looking back today, Fombezi, who tested positive and she is now on Anti-retroviral therapy, shudders at the thought of what would have been the situation had she not plucked up courage and gone for VCT. The exercise, explains the young lady, gave her "the passport to access the ARVs, the drug that does not only prolong one's life but improves the quality of it too.

The knowledge of her status has enabled Fombezi to cast away fear, contain the situation and face the situation with a positive attitude courtesy of a number of care service providers available in the country.

"With the proper counseling, advice on diet and other care services my perception of HIV/AIDS is not that of a deadly disease but a chronic disease whose full effect can only be cushioned by ARVs among other things," she explains.
While government and organizations are doing all they can to encourage the masses for VCT, the majority of the public is still cold on its feet, a development that the National AIDS Commission describes as being a "great threat" to the fight against the pandemic.

"There are about 6 million sexually active adults and out of these only 15% are tested for HIV and know their status," observes NAC in its write-up following the HIV Testing week held in the first week of August 2006. The write-up continues: "It is estimated that nearly 930 000 people in the country are living with HIV/AIDS but the overwhelming majority of this population remain unaware of their status which is a great threat to prevention efforts and strategies as the infected miss the opportunity to access treatment, regular care and support services available."

The HIV Testing Week, a government innovation conceived in a bid to woo the public to go for VCT, revealed that, given the opportunity many people would go for VCT so tha they know their status.