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| National |
| NGO urges couples to commit |
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by
Moses Michael-Phiri, 16 February 2006
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06:50:32
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Malawi Bridge project has urged married couples in Mulanje district to commit to each as one way of fighting the deadly HIV and Aids pandemic in the district which the organisation says the virus is spreading at an alarming rate.
Patrick Phoso, community mobilisation specialist for the project said on Tuesday at a ‘garage’ party for married couples that prevention efforts in the district are being hampered by the lack of open communication around HIV and Aids issues and the relative lack of personal risk perception.
“Marriage partners need to always renew their commitment and faithfulness to each other to scale down the spread of HIV and Aids. For this to happen couples have to be open to one another. Gatherings like these where couples meet to share ideas are one of the best platforms where open communication can be enhanced,” said Phoso.
He said HIV and Aids prevention efforts are impeded in most cases because many Malawians feel they have little control over their lives and more especially they do not believe there is anything they can do to prevent HIV infection.
Moses Chimphepo district commissioner for Mulanje said the project’s interventions will promote faithfulness among couples and give an opportunity for the people to talk about issues they fail to discuss in their homes.
“This district has high prevalence rate for HIV and Aids as it is rated fourth in the country. So these interventions help a lot in scaling down the spread of the disease in the district,” Chimphepo said.
The campaign is part of Nditha —a Malawi Bridge project which highlights the many small ‘do-able’ actions that people can take right away to foster an environment of openness and support that will lead to greater adherence of HIV and Aids prevention measures. |
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