Condom/lubricant shortages, reduced defaulter tracing, declining teen club attendance, intermittent Bactrim stockouts, and suspended youth clubs were confirmed in Zomba last week. Despite USAID funding cuts and uncertainty from short-term partner contracts, ARVs remained consistently available. The Network of Journalists Living with HIV led validation meetings on 14–15 April 2026 with Facility In-Charges, ART focal persons, partners, and recipients of care including PLHIV, sex workers, and people who inject drugs. Chingale and Domasi facilities said the process boosts accountability and helps faster responses, stressing that community-provider collaboration is critical to close gaps.
