By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, September 18, Mana: National Aids Commission (NAC) has emphasized the need for social media to be used primarily for raising awareness for HIV and AIDS rather than as a tool to bully people living with HIV and AIDS by disclosing their status.

Acting Public Relations Officer for NAC, Franscis Mabedi said in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) in Blantyre on Wednesday, that the topic of HIV and AIDS is sensitive and an issue of public importance.

“The spread and management of information about HIV and AIDS should adhere to the 2011 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management Act where section 11 prohibits anyone from disclosing another person’s HIV status,” Mabedi said.

He stressed that although the topic of HIV and AIDS is openly discussed on social media, laws and regulations should still be upheld.

Mabedi also pointed out that social media itself has no power of misinformation rather it is the way people misuse it. However, he said social media has proven to be effective in educating people about HIV and AIDS.

“We do not blame social media itself but rather we blame how people manage it because of lack of control,” he said.

He added that the unlawful disclosure of person’s HIV status on social media not only violates the laws of this country but also infringe one’s human rights.

Executive Director of the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+), Lawrence Khonyongwa told Mana in a separate interview that there is lack of awareness regarding Malawi’s legal framework on HIV/AIDS, citing the unlawful disclosure of another person’s HIV status to the public including on social media.

“Most people are unaware that it is illegal to disclose someone’s confidential health status like this to anyone without their consent. Victims should report violations to the relevant authorities such as the police and organizations such as MANET+ to receive appropriate help,” he said.

Khonyongwa added that there is need for more civic education and awareness about HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management Act which also applies to online platforms.

He, therefore, disclosed that MANET+ runs an online campaign called Stigma Fighter, a global initiative aimed at ending the misconceptions and stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.

In addition, MANET+ works closely with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare and other partners to raise awareness in the country, according to Khonyongwa.  

Khonyongwa has since encouraged people living with HIV to always take matters further when faced with stigma related issues on online platforms and not suffer in silence.