Malawi opens annual HIV testing week campaign

Malawi on Monday kick-started its third weeklong national HIV testing and counselling (HTC) campaign in order to give an opportunity to Malawians to know their sero-status.

According to Health Minister Khumbo Kachali, this year\’s annual campaign has targeted more than 200,000 people. \"This includes all people of reproductive age group of 13 to 49 years,\" he said.

Last year during the same period the country targeted 130,000 people but the number reached 190,000.

"We are optimistic that this year the number would also increase due to high demand for people who want to know their sero-status," he said.

He said the campaign allowed government to facilitate changes in risky behaviour and linked persons to HIV and Aids care and support services like putting them on treatment and special nutrition.

He added that although the HIV prevalence rate appears to have stabilised in the country over the past years to 13 percent, Malawi still faced a lot socio-economic challenges due to the epidemic.

Kachali said in order to overcome these challenges government has instituted a number of strategies and activities aimed at reducing the spread and impact of HIV, and HTC week is among the activities.

The campaign’s theme is: “Tested and Counselled Together."