By Regina Chalira

Mzuzu, June 27, Mana: HIV Testing Coordinator for Mzimba North District Health Office, Mlotha Mbughi, has commended Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organization (MACRO) for promoting HIV self-testing services.

Mbughi was commenting on a progress report of Intensifying Malawi’s Priority and Key Population Access to Community HIV and AIDS Testing and Treatment (IMPACT) and Community Based HIV Testing (CBHTS) Project which is being implemented in Mzuzu.

He said providing HIV self-test is important because most people are still scared to get HIV testing at a health facility and self-testing would be an alternative in promoting HIV testing services.

"Studies show that most people are confident in getting the HIV test at a facility after conducting self-test and this helps those that have tested positive to start treatment with acceptance,” said Mbughi.

Presenting the report to members of Mzuzu City Executive Committee, HIV Diagnosist Assistant Supervisor of the project, Richard Kabaghe, said the organization surpassed its quarterly targeted tests.

“We managed to test about 1,131 people against a target of 830 within communities surrounding Mzuzu Health Centre, St Johns Mission Hospital and Ekwendeni Mission Hospital.

“We use different testing modalities such as index testing and self-testing, among other approaches, in our targeted communities,” said Kawale.

MACRO offers static and outreach services to reduce HIV transmission and its impact.