Health Commission donates to 85 children living with HIV/AIDS

The Catholic Health Commission in the Diocese of Chikwawa, Malawi, has donated some food items to children living with HIV in Chikwawa district. The donation which has been made through one of it’s project’s Ana Patsogolo, comes in the wake of food shortages in several parts of Chikwawa.

One of the beneficiaries, who opted for annonymity, primary caregivers from Group Village Headman Kubalalika in the area of Traditional Authority Makhuwira, is of the view that the food support will assist his child to have a well balanced diet which is very important when taking Antiretroviral drugs.

‘This food will help me to provide a balanced diet and with adherence to drugs I am sure that my child will soon be at Low Detective Level. We are facing some food shortages and this gesture really comes at a right time’

Meanwhile, Economic Strengthening Officer, Paul Nchunju has urged the primary caregivers to join Ana Patsogolo Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) groups for their families to be financially stable.

“When a household is financially Stable, children living with HIV/AIDS cannot be on high viral load suppression since they will be able to provide basic necessities.” He said.

In her remarks Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the project Susan Banaba, urged beneficiaries to use the assorted items judiciously. Items donated included Maize flour, beens,cooking oil, sugar,salt and likuni phala.

Ana Patsogolo (APA), is a five year run-activity to prevent new infections and reduce vulnerability among Orphans and vulnerable children, caregivers and adolescent girls and young women.