The Malawi Network of Religious leaders living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, MANELERA, in Balaka district , has vowed to do its best to ensure that its objective are met a far as HIV/AIDS and malaria are concerned. As one way of achieving zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero HIV/AIDS deaths.
MANELERA is conducting meetings with people living in areas where they do not have close health facilities where they can access frequent information on HIV/AIDS and malaria.
This follows reports from various Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Balaka district that many people do not go for HIV testing or even stop taking ARVs and malaria do not access treatment in time because of the distance from health facilities.
On 6th August 2013 members from MANELERA and some health officials were at Makanjira primary school in Malichi village where people were having HIV testing services and also were reminded on the prevention of malaria.
Village head Malichi said that the meeting was so beneficial that it will help a lot and urged that such meetings should be done in his village now and again.
“It is encouraging that many people are turning out to have their blood tested”, said pastor Banda who is the chairperson of Balaka Network of religious leaders living with or affected by HIV/AIDS (BANELERA)
He also added that men in the area also took part in the testing which is a good development as far as men involvement in HIV/AIDS issues is concerned.
During the HIV on this day 85 people had their blood testing out of which 32 were men and 53 women.