MALAWI: Country has Remarkable Progress towards the nightmare of AIDS
The Catholic
Church in Malawi has said that the country has made remarkable progress towards
dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A Press Statement issued by the Catholic
Bishops Conference – ECM on World Aids Day and sent to AMECEA Online News, says that “The prevalence has been declining
steadily, reaching 10.6% in 2010 and estimated to be at 10.3% in 2013. The HIV/AIDS
response in Malawi is guided by the revised HIV and AIDS policy. The HIV/AIDS programs
have grown in scale, effectiveness and impact such that positive results have
been observed.”
Church in Malawi has said that the country has made remarkable progress towards
dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic. A Press Statement issued by the Catholic
Bishops Conference – ECM on World Aids Day and sent to AMECEA Online News, says that “The prevalence has been declining
steadily, reaching 10.6% in 2010 and estimated to be at 10.3% in 2013. The HIV/AIDS
response in Malawi is guided by the revised HIV and AIDS policy. The HIV/AIDS programs
have grown in scale, effectiveness and impact such that positive results have
been observed.”
The statement
indicated that the rate of new HIV infections among adults declined
significantly by more than 50% between 2001 and 2011. “The number of new
infections among children 0 – 14 years fell by more than 50% between 2009 and
2012. This is due to wider access to antiretroviral therapy and increase in
services to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV.”
indicated that the rate of new HIV infections among adults declined
significantly by more than 50% between 2001 and 2011. “The number of new
infections among children 0 – 14 years fell by more than 50% between 2009 and
2012. This is due to wider access to antiretroviral therapy and increase in
services to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV.”
Decline in
AIDS related deaths is also another remarkable sign of progress mentioned by
the statement. “Since the increase in provision of antiretroviral therapy, the
number of AIDS related deaths has been declining rapidly. The integration of
HIV and Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment has also contributed to the
decline of AIDS related mortality. As a result, fewer children are being
orphaned because of AIDS,” the Statement said.
AIDS related deaths is also another remarkable sign of progress mentioned by
the statement. “Since the increase in provision of antiretroviral therapy, the
number of AIDS related deaths has been declining rapidly. The integration of
HIV and Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment has also contributed to the
decline of AIDS related mortality. As a result, fewer children are being
orphaned because of AIDS,” the Statement said.
It is also a
positive sign that the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy has
increased; “As of 2013, 83% of eligible adults and children are receiving
antiretroviral therapy compared to 63% in 2010.”
positive sign that the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy has
increased; “As of 2013, 83% of eligible adults and children are receiving
antiretroviral therapy compared to 63% in 2010.”
Despite the
progress that Malawi has registered so far, there are still a number of
challenges facing the response to the epidemic. These according to the
statement include the fact that sexual transmission remains the highest mode of
transmission of HIV infection; Women remain the most severely affected with the
HIV epidemic and Youths continue to be infected with the virus.
progress that Malawi has registered so far, there are still a number of
challenges facing the response to the epidemic. These according to the
statement include the fact that sexual transmission remains the highest mode of
transmission of HIV infection; Women remain the most severely affected with the
HIV epidemic and Youths continue to be infected with the virus.
“Getting to
Zero” is a responsibility of every Malawian; the statement said adding that it
is a Christian responsibility to halt the negative impact of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic on the society.
Zero” is a responsibility of every Malawian; the statement said adding that it
is a Christian responsibility to halt the negative impact of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic on the society.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
