University of Malawi students tipped on HIV prevention as condom shortage hits
Malawi’s youths are and other sexual active groups are finding it difficult to access condoms in some public hospital which puts lives of the youths in danger.
The problem has mainly hit some health facilities in Zomba including the main referral Hospital.
A visit by Nyasa Times in Zomba health facilities, indicated that youths were depending on alternative outlets to access the condoms.
“We either buy them in chain stores or else we go without putting them,” said one of the Zomba based youths Yanjanani Sipuni from Old Naisi.
Another youth member, Akim Benala from Matawale said the problem started some time back.
MANASO Executive Director, Abgail Dzimazi, expressed concern that condom shortage, is likely to fuel the increase of new HIV/Aids infections.
Dzimazi said condom use is christened as one of Malawi’s key preventive method as Malawi eyes
achieving 90:90:90
“If the problem persists then we will have problem in achieving our goals,” Said dzimadzi.
Dzimadzi urged government machinery especially the ministry of Health to address the supply chain and also increase number of condoms which they buy annually.
Hans Katengeza is adolescent and youth Programme Officer in the Ministry of Health says the condom scarcity in Zomba is due to logistical problems.
“The condom are there, but the problem is just logistical, its not a crisis,” Said Katengeza.
Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) Director of Programmes, Lonnie Ncozana, says condom use is very critical in the prevention of transmission of HIV.
Ncozana says FPAM is rolling out condom use intervention programmes dubbed ‘Use Condom Use Sense Tisaphweketse’.
The project targets youths in tertiary education.
Ncozana says so far FPAM will continue bringing friendly services in all tertiary education.
“Condom is one of the only available and highly effective HIV prevention tools in Malawi, especially when used consistently and correctly, ” Said Ncozana.
Ncozana said condom use can reduce about 80-90% risk of getting STI and unwanted pregnancies.
FPAM has already established parallel health facilities at Chancellor College, a constituent of the University of Malawi in order to help the youths access health care within their reach, with funding from UNFPA.
One of Fpam’s officials, Roney Mjozama, speaking at Chancellor College during a sensitization campaign urged University students to stick to ABC (Abstinence, be faithful, use a condom) strategy as the only way to prevent HIV/AIDS among youth and adolescents.
Mjozama said young people are at risk of contracting HIV, adding that there is need to have more action to ensure that they live healthy.
She also advised the students to have a culture of testing for HIV and if they are found to be positive they should seek for medical care immediately.
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huuuu…..miendo yake iyi ungakumbuke kuvala condom ndi iloweilowe basii…….AIDS sazatheka mpaka kalekale…….hhhhhhhhhuuuuuuu……buuuuuu……buuuu
I do remember Kamuzu time when we were encouraged to spend our time in Library not sexing each other……good old days
Use of condoms is a responsibility of both partners. Both should ensure that it is warn correctly. Both should ensure that it has not expired. They should ensure that it should slip off in the process of use. They should ensure that it is not torn or have a hole. Do not use condoms in darkness or whilst drunk. You may not be able to see or use it correctly under the influence. If we all were real Christ followers, then there could have been no all these worries as sex could always be in after faithful marriages only. Iam… Read more »
Yes because they are educated they know sex in plastic bag is not sex. Chancol is not a mental hospital, no? It is a college. It is a mad person who will eat sweets with plastic covers. This sex is how it was designed by God himself, and sex was planned for couples. Now to tell pipo to use condoms is just encouraging them to commit sin, is this right? Tell them the truth! Apo biii tumale!
chanco singatheke anthu ake amakonda ma plain
MWENDO ODYEKA UWU.
I agree with number 3 kuti nkhani yisakhale kuwalimbikitsa zogonana anawa koma kuti adziletse. Ana atsikana amafika bwinobwino ku Chanco ndi nzeru zawo zamkalasi, koma akangoponda dothi lapaChanco basi apenga ndiuhule! Atsikananu chonde zisungeni. It’s only a fool who builds his/her bright future while at the same time terminating their lives! Muphunzira, inde, koma mudzafikira kufa kuno ku industry, osadyerera!!
Are you sure use of condoms is part of 90-90-90
Hey, teach them how to musterbate. Thats the best solution coz you can not tell them to abstain becasue it is not practical.
Koma chonde let the students/people know kuti kudzisunga ndiye solution coz anthu amaboola macondom ndiye sichinthu chodalilika! anthu ambiri they used condoms only to discover kuti they are positive, please let us all be carefull! otherwise anthu ambiri akupwetekeka because of your condoms!