By Wendy Mkandawire
Ministry of Health and Sanitation says Malawi’s national HIV prevalence remains at 4.5 percent, with the country achieving the global target of 86 percent viral suppression among people living with HIV.
Women surpassed the target with a viral suppression rate of 88 percent, while men recorded 84 percent.
According to the latest epidemiological estimates, an estimated 1,007,000 people are living with HIV in Malawi and the country also recorded approximately 14,200 new HIV infections and 12,900 AIDS-related deaths in 2025.
Speaking during the HIV national dialogue Director of HIV Linley Chewere said progress has also been recorded among children, viral suppression in this group remains below target at 58 percent, highlighting the need for intestified paediatric HIV services
She said the National Strategic Plan review found that more than 90 percent of people living with HIV are on Antiretroviral therapy ART and that Malawi reached epidemic control by 2024.
“HIV testing, treatment,viral load suppression and elimination of mother to child transmission remain on track.however the review also including lower service uptake among children and men slowing primary prevention services,shortages in domestic financing”, she added.
The dialogue further highlighted that it is estimated that 96, 000 people living with HIV are not on treatment with the highest number found in Blantyre, and Lilongwe cities ,stating that there is need to reach the individuals through targeted testing , community engagement and differentiated service delivery.
Malawi’s next HIV National Strategic Plan 2026-2030 aims to reduce annual new HIV infections from 14,000 in 2025 to 6,000 by 2030, reduce AIDS related deaths from about 13,000 to 4,000 ,eliminate sexually transmitted infections and viral hepatitis as public health threat.
