HIV was first reported in Malawi in 1985. Since then, the spread of
HIV has reached 10.8% of the adult population. “Malawi has a generalized
HIV epidemic. HIV prevalence among persons aged 15 to 49 years has been
declining steadily from 16.4% in 1999 to 11.8% in 2004 and then 10.6%
in 2010.” Not only does the disease affect the adult population, but
about 170,000 children also live with HIV (
Malawi AIDS Response Progress Report 2015).
 |
Photo: AVERT
An HIV prevention poster in Mzimba, Malawi.
Counsellor
explaining about HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi -
See more at:
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-malawi.htm#sthash.qndVapSH.dpuf
Counsellor
explaining about HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi -
See more at:
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-malawi.htm#sthash.qndVapSH.dpuf
Counsellor
explaining about HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi -
See more at:
http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-malawi.htm#sthash.qndVapSH.dpuf
|
Increased
prevention work and education over the past decade attributed to the
decline in new cases. Although, Malawi’s infrastructure and economic
standing make it difficult to truly erase it from epidemic status.
Recent years indicate positive steps in the right direction, but prior
decades of poor governance and constrictive bureaucracy left behind a
lot of work to be done.
HIV prevention and access to antiretroviral drugs are the focuses to
curbing the spread of the disease. Initiatives currently implemented
include: expanding voluntary HIV testing and counseling (HCT/ VCT),
prevention of mother-to-child transmission services, condom promotion
and distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), blood
safety measures, mass media campaigns, and life skills education (LSE)
for young people (
AVERT).
Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) collect high volumes of
data in their hands-on work to identify the most common causes of
transmission and the most affected demographics. Organizations such as
the World Bank, the Global Fund, the World Health Organization, the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) have all taken an
active role in funding and planning to decrease incidence and increase
awareness in Malawi (
AVERT).
 |
Photo: AVERT
Counselor explaining HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day, Malawi. |
UNAIDS,
specifically, leads the way in analyzing target goals to catalyze
initiative to eliminate HIV/AIDS. Their plan for 2015 has been very
successful. The target goal for 2015, as set out in the Millennium
Development Goal 6 of 2000, has been surpassed. This year, UNAIDS
“celebrates the milestone achievement of 15 million people on
antiretroviral treatment—an accomplishment deemed impossible when the
MDGs were established 15 years ago… [Worldwide,] new HIV infections have
fallen by 35% and AIDS-related deaths by 41%” (
UNAIDS).
Malawi’s steadily improving situation reflects the larger global
picture, but meeting goals requires working within localized
communities. Greater awareness and education will lead to a better
perspective on HIV prevention in Malawi. For example, many adults do not
get tested, but simply assume they are living with HIV because of its
prevalence. Unsafe sex is justified by choosing partners based on their
societal status or perceived cleanliness. Even if precautions are taken,
condom use and safe sex practices are rarely being implemented on a
consistent basis. Education, access to testing sites, and decreased
stigmatization of testing will be key factors in the next five years in
continuing to improve the state of Malawi’s HIV epidemic.
Looking to the future, UNAIDS’s highlights its target goals for 2020,
“90% of people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all
people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained
antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral
therapy will have viral suppression” (
UNAIDS 90-90-90).
By World Camp Intern Rachael Thorn
World AIDS Day is held each year on December 1st to continue support for the fight against HIV and to commemorate those who have died because of an HIV or AIDS related illness. It began in 1988, making this the 27th year of this international health day. While there have been great strides in the past three decades in understanding HIV and developing treatment, World AIDS Day reminds us that this struggle is not yet over. 
This health pandemic still affects a huge number of the population. Although HIV is manageable with proper regimented treatment, there continues to be misconceptions, stigmatization, fear of getting treatment and lack of access to treatment that pose as obstacles. World AIDS Day is a time we can all come together and show solidarity in the fight against AIDS. Support our HIV health and education programs by visiting our donation page. You can also order your red ribbon.
