By Joseph Dzuwa Malawi News Agency (Lilongwe) Zomba — Religious institutions have a big role to play in the fight against HIV and Aids scourge in the country, Smart Makunganya, a church elder at Mikuyu CCAP congregation has said.
He was speaking at a candlelight memorial ceremony held at Mikuyu prison ground organized by Emmanuel International and the District council with the aim of reaching out to prisoners who could not attend because of security reasons.
The ceremony was attended by a sizable crowd from the surrounding villages while the inmates could still get the HIV and AIDS messages, songs and music while behind the bars just a stone throw distance through the Loud Public Address System provided by the District Information Department.
Makunganya explained it is time all the sections of the society joined hands to make sure there is no new infection and encouraged those on ARTs to continue taking the drugs for their own good.
He also said his church, apart from transforming lives of people, also takes part in implementing HIV and AIDS activities to complement government efforts.
Jollam Chombo, Coordinator for IMPACT Project, at Emmanuel International (EI) whose organization sponsored the event said there were still couples that hide to their partner when they have started taking ARVs saying the practice has to stop.
Chombo also called on couples to be faithful to each other and avoid multiple concurrent sexual partners to avoid further spread of the killer disease.
“I would also like to request some religious sects which discourage their members from taking ARVs under the belief that they have been healed by prayer to reconsider encouraging those on the drugs to continue taking them.
During group discussion of Chiefs, women and men, among the pertinent issues revealed to be accelerating the spread of HIV and Aids in the area under Traditional Authority Mwambo were multiple concurrent sexual partnerships, unprotected sex and some harmful cultural practices.
Zomba District Council organized the candlelight memorial ceremonies in three Traditional Authorities which included Namwera Turnoff under T/A Malemia, Mayaka, Senior Chief Chikowi and Mikuyu prison under T/A Mwambo.
This year’s candlelight ceremony was celebrated under the theme: In solidarity we can eradicate HIV and Aids and the Vice President, Khumbo Kachali graced the national official launch in Mwanza district.
