By Martha Simchimba

Lilongwe, February 29, Mana: Lilongwe District Council Vice Chairperson, Dominic Banda, has urged men in the district to go for HIV testing and counselling in large numbers as they rarely seek such services.

Banda made the call on Wednesday at Miseu Four Community Ground in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Njewa during the joint World AIDS Day and Candle Light Memorial.

Banda said World AIDS day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment in the country.

"This day provides a platform to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and also honour lives affected by the epidemic. Let me take this opportunity to urge men, and everyone, to go for HIV testing in order to know their serostatus and prevent the disease,” he said.

Banda said the country should not look down on people living with the virus as this reduces their self-esteem.

A Nurse at John Hopkins, Saviour Mwandira, said it is encouraging that the country is doing well in combating the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Mwandira said, as an organization, they are implementing 95-95-95 goals in collaboration with government to encourage people in the country to know their status and be on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) to boost their immune system and be able to contribute to the country’s development.

“Let me take this opportunity to encourage people to start using oral quick response, a self-test kit for HIV, if they are shy visiting HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) services,” said Mwandira.

Ester Misanjo, who is HIV positive, called upon those who are on ART to continue taking the medication for them to live longer.

“I tested HIV positive in 2004 and I am still strong because I have been following the hospital’s instructions,” she said.

During the event a minute of silence was observed to remember those who died of the disease.

Several NGOs such CEDEP, Pakachere, UNC and National AIDS Commission graced the event and showcased what they are doing in fighting HIV and AIDS in the country.

This year’s World AIDS day was commemorated under the theme “Let the communities lead in spreading love and showing solidarity in ending AIDS".