By Meclina Chirwa
This was a key takeaway from the recent Global AIDS Strategy National Consultation Meeting in Lilongwe, organised by UNAIDS.
Linly Chewere, Director of the HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Department, representing the Minister of Health, acknowledged progress in reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths.
“Let this Strategy guide our future response, ensuring no one is left behind,” she said, affirming the government’s commitment to sustaining gains and investing in the HIV response.
UNAIDS Country Director David Chipanta highlighted the potential reversal of progress due to funding cuts.
“Our hope lies in understanding what works,” he stated. “Life-saving innovations should be accessible to all, and community-led interventions require global solidarity.”
German Ambassador Ute Konig noted that the new strategy must reflect recent global shifts, including the funding crisis.
“Hard-won gains must be protected and accelerated,” she emphasised.
“We need to step up HIV prevention efforts, tackle societal barriers, and maintain momentum in treatment scale-up.”
Dr. Beatrice Matanje, CEO of the National AIDS Commission, described the Global AIDS Strategy as a “powerful instrument for change” and a unified roadmap.
She credited Malawi’s progress towards the 95-95-95 targets to strong leadership, community resilience, strategic partnerships, and UNAIDS support.
However, she acknowledged persistent challenges, including inequities affecting key populations and shrinking donor support.
The meeting concluded that the forthcoming strategy must address these inequalities, focusing on key populations, adolescent girls and young women, children, men, and HIV in humanitarian settings.
Key recommendations from participants included expanding community-based Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) refill systems, addressing stigma and discrimination in healthcare, and securing sustained funding for community-led interventions.
Long-term goals involve advancing community-led approaches and promoting gender equality.
The consultation was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, National AIDS Commission, civil society organizations such as the Network of Journalists Living with HIV (JONEHA) and the Malawi Network of Service Organisations (MANASO), the National Planning Commission, and members of the donor community and UN agencies.
