By Burnett Munthali
Health authorities in Chikwawa district have issued a stern call to the youth to adhere strictly to HIV and AIDS prevention measures, as new statistics indicate they are increasingly at risk of contracting the virus. Speaking during the World AIDS Day commemorations, Chifundo Manong’a, the district’s Principal Nutrition and HIV and AIDS Officer, raised concern over the alarming trend of sexual activity among young people, which is fueling the spread of HIV.
Manong’a highlighted that many youths are being lured into unsafe sexual practices through promises of rewards, which puts them at higher risk of HIV transmission. However, he refrained from disclosing specific statistics on the current prevalence rate, leaving the situation somewhat unclear. Despite this, his remarks underscored the growing need for urgent action to safeguard the health of young people in the district.
World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, was marked in Chikwawa under the theme: “Take the Right Path: Together We Remember, Together We End AIDS.” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of collective action in both raising awareness and taking practical steps to eliminate the disease.
Manong’a emphasized the need for a shift in focus towards empowering young people, particularly by providing them with skills and opportunities to generate income. This, he believes, can be a key factor in reducing HIV transmission. By equipping youth with financial independence and self-reliance, the district hopes to mitigate one of the driving forces behind risky sexual behavior.
As of December last year, Chikwawa district reported that 30,000 individuals were receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), a critical treatment for managing HIV. Manong’a also noted that 98 percent of the population in the district were aware of their HIV and AIDS status, reflecting substantial progress in public health education and testing efforts.
Despite these advancements, Manong’a stressed that there remains a great deal of work to be done. With youth continuing to be at high risk, there is an urgent need for more targeted interventions to curb the spread of HIV among this vulnerable group.
The ongoing efforts to empower young people in Chikwawa, combined with increased HIV awareness, are crucial in the district’s fight to end AIDS. However, as Manong’a and others in the health sector point out, preventing new infections requires a sustained commitment to education, income-generating opportunities, and providing accessible healthcare for all.
In conclusion, as Chikwawa continues to battle the HIV epidemic, the message to the youth is clear: they must take the right path, avoid risky behaviors, and work together with the community to end the spread of HIV and ultimately, AIDS. The call for collective responsibility is not only a reminder but also a rallying cry for the future of Malawi’s youth and their health.
