FEBRUARY 22, 2005

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) for HIV/AIDS Launched at Malawi Epicenter

By Rowlands Kaotcha, Country Director of The Hunger Project-Malawi

It is an undeniable fact that efforts in achieving food security are being negatively impacted because of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The productive labour force which could have otherwise contributed positively in food production is dying. The increased number of funerals in Malawi means that an increase in the number of days when people are kept from their gardens -- when there is a funeral, no one is allowed to go to the garden until the burial has taken place the following day. The large amount of food consumed at funeral ceremonies is generally excessive and forces households which were declared food secure to bounce back to being food insecure. There is an emergence of "Girl-headed Households" as distinct from male-headed or female- headed households we have known all this time because when parents die, children -- especially girls -- are forced to drop out of school to take care of their brothers or sisters.

THP-Malawi's HIV/AIDS & Gender Inequality program in Nchalo Epicenter now has an AIDS testing component. Clients who have gone through Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) need other services i.e., good nutrition, basic health services, care and treatment. It is gratifying therefore to note that while THP's HIV/AIDS & Gender Inequality workshops engage communities to discuss the facts about HIV & AIDS, prevention, and how changes in gender relations would stop the spread of the virus, VCT clients will directly benefit from the nutrition initiative (under the food processing program of THP-Malawi) as well as receiving basic medical services from the epicenter clinic. This is why Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organisation (MACRO) has agreed to establish mobile VCT services at The Hunger Project's Nchalo Epicenter. Testing will be done once per week on Tuesdays, but the frequency may be increased, depending on demand.

The launch was attended by more than 2,000 people and the epicenter hall was full to capacity.

Picture 1A: Nchalo Epicenter hall fully packed during the VCT launch. Participants to the launch included police officers, primary and secondary schools in the area, religious institutions, traditional leaders, THP-Malawi partners from the 24 partner villages, MACRO officials, THP-Malawi staff, and National Council representatives.

Pictures 2A & 2B: Drama group performed on the facts about HIV & AIDS, how we can prevent it, endangering traditional practices as well as how important it is to know one’s sero status.

Picture 1B: Country Director - in white shirt (THP-Malawi) talking to the Program Manager during the launch. The paramount Chief Lundu (right hand side of CD) also attended the launch.

Picture 1C: Country Director speaking during the launch.

Picture 1D: Guest of Honor, Mr. Zainga, the Chikwawa District Health Officer, officially launching the program.

During the launching day about 41 people voluntarily tested for AIDS.