AIDS in Malawi

Everyday when I come into the office, I usually spend some time checking my e-mails, looking for anything interesting on the BBC or CBC web page and looking at the Malawian newspaper. The other day there was quite the headline: “75% Decrease in AIDS Deaths”. Wow. Apparently, since the government has introduced free antiretroviral treatment (ARVs or ARTs) to those living with HIV, the number of people who have died of AIDS has decreased 75% from the 2003 and 2004 numbers. Quite impressive, although there are still some things to remember: A 75% decrease in deaths says nothing about the amount of new infections that are happening. Yes, it is great that more people are surviving, but there needs to be a significant shift in behaviour change to ensure that people are not being infected in the first place. It seems to me that although there are signs all over the place educating people on the ABC’s of AIDS (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condom use) people don’t seem to really talk about it. I think there is still a stigma around being labeled as being HIV+, and no one seems to want to discuss it. Fair enough if you don’t want the world to know, but at least get tested for the sake of your own health. Once people know their status, they can go on living positively - taking medication and eating well and therefore continuing to be productive members of society. There is also no mention of the problem of Access (wouldn’t Rupen be proud!). The government is providing free ARVs to people, but there aren’t enough and the chance of getting them free at the government hospitals is, I hear, slim. You have a much better chance of getting them at one of the private hospitals. But of course, then you have to have the cash. There is also the problem of getting all this medication out in the rural areas – although I hear DIGNITAS and our friend Dr. Orbinski, are doing quite well at this.

I have started doing some interviews of employees and members of the FINCOOP SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative) in order to help put together a draft of an HIV/AIDS and gender policy. One of the employees that I spoke with mentioned that a man once came in and wanted to close his savings account because he had found out that he was HIV+. He assumed that he as going to die and therefore didn’t need his savings anymore. Seems a little backward, no? If at any point in his life he needed to have a stash of savings – for himself and for is family – it is now. At no other time in history has Malawi had more orphans or single parent families, and therefore MUSCCO and the SACCOs are trying to play more of a role in bringing financial education to those living with HIV/AIDS. The idea is to get people saving more and accessing more credit for business ventures and therefore they will be able to support a healthy lifestyle longer. There is even a great insurance program whereby if you die, your loan is cancelled and the amount of your savings is doubled and given to your beneficiaries. Impressive! What we need to do here is make people aware of this. Not only does this help both the infected and affected, but is helps to ease the burden and mitigate the negative impacts of HIV/AIDS.

That’s it for the heavy stuff for now. NEXT TIME: Anna buys shoes at the market...