By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
National AIDS Commission (NAC) has advised students at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) to lead a vibrant push to demystify myths surrounding condom use, as the current HIV prevalence for Blantyre City stands at 14 per cent, double the national average.
Speaking on Sunday during the International Condom Day at MUBAS, NAC’s Head of HIV Prevention and Management, Dr Andrina Mwansambo, observed that many young people still face embarrassment or stigma when accessing reproductive health products.
“The days are gone when young people should be ashamed of buying condoms. Let us take responsibility for our health to curb HIV transmission rates. She added.
Mwansambo, who is also the Acting Director of Programme at NAC, said targeting higher education institutions was a deliberate move to reach out to sexually active young adults, thereby curbing HIV transmission.“We are reminding students about the importance of condoms and empowering them with the right messages. We know, demographically, that this group is sexually active, and it is vital that they have the tools to protect their future,” she added.
Mwansambo said when a condom is used correctly and consistently, it remains one of the most effective and simplest prevention tools available globally.
Director of Health at Blantyre District Council, Dr Gift Kawalazira, said that, with the current HIV prevalence, the city’s residents are at a higher risk of contracting HIV, urging MUBAS students to safeguard their future by taking available HIV preventive measures.
He described condoms as the “pinnacle of prevention” due to their unique ability to offer triple protection.
“By using a condom, one can prevent HIV, while simultaneously protecting against other sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies,” he said.
Dr Kawalazira said beyond condom distribution, Blantyre District Health Office also promotes a comprehensive suite of prevention and treatment options to ensure city residents have access to a wider choice in managing their sexual reproductive health.
“These services include HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which is now available in both tablet and injectable forms,” he added.
A MUBAS student, Chikondi Nyendo, hailed NAC and the Ministry of Health for empowering the youth with knowledge on consistent condom use, saying this will enable students and other young people to make informed decisions that will help to reduce the high HIV transmission rate in Blantyre City.She pledged to share the knowledge far beyond the university campus.
While International Condom Day is globally observed on February 13, the Blantyre commemoration was held on March 14 to strategically engage the student population.
The event, held under the theme; Safer is Sexy, followed a similar launch in Lilongwe in late February, marking a nationwide effort to revitalise prevention strategies.
