MIAA Says Political Instability Affecting HIV/AIDS Patients

Malawi Interfaith Aids Association (MIAA) has said political instability in the country is negatively affecting people living with HIV and Aids, citing failure to access antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.

This has been said by the acting Executive Director of the organization, Pirira Ndaferankhande.

Ndaferankhande, said the organisation had received reports of cases where people on ART have been failing to travel to public health facilities to access services.

“For example, in districts such as Rumphi, Mchinji and Kasungu, people who are on ART are failing to go to public facilities to get medication, especially on days when demonstrations are taking place.

According to Ndaferankhande ART services are meant not to be disturbed, but the political impasse in the country is putting lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in danger.

“Considering that ART services are not supposed to be interrupted, the [political] situation is putting lives of people living with HIV at risk. The disruption of government business means trouble for people living with HIV,” Ndaferankhande said.

Meanwhile, women’s rights activist Mirriam Kanyamula has urged stakeholders in national development to protect the healthcare service delivery system from disruptions that could spell death for innocent citizens.

MIAA leaders said they were organizing prayers in the country’s administrative regions for peace to prevail.

Civil society organizations have been holding anti- Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Jane Ansah demonstrations for her to resign for allegedly mishandling the May 21 Tripartite Elections. The first round of demonstrations took place on June 20, followed by another round on July 4 and last week Friday.

Ansah recently described the calls as “mob justice”.