A total of 56 police officers from districts in the Southern Region comprising of Phalombe, Mulanje, Thyolo, Neno, Mwanza, Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Chikwawa and Nsanje have been oriented on the provisions of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act No. 9 of 2018. The orientation session took place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Victoria Hotel in Blantyre.
Speaking during the meeting, National AIDS Commission (NAC) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Beatrice Matanje acknowledged the important role that the Malawi Police Service (MPS) plays in the national HIV and AIDS response.
“We recognize your role as law enforcers and appreciate the contribution the Malawi Police Service continues to make in various interventions aimed at combating HIV and AIDS. Through our collective efforts and continued collaboration, we are confident that Malawi will achieve a more informed and healthier society,” said Dr. Matanje
She emphasized that the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act is a critical piece of legislation that must be effectively implemented to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and promote access to services. Dr. Matanje expressed that the orientation meeting was organized to enhance understanding of the Act, promote empathy, and equip law enforcers with the knowledge required to apply the law appropriately in the course of their duty.
The NAC CEO further called for strengthened collaboration between NAC and law enforcement officers in addressing stigma, discrimination and promoting awareness of HIV prevention, care and treatment services.
“It is important that we continue reminding communities that HIV and AIDS is still amidst us – ‘siinathe Edzi, ilipobe kuno ku Malawi.’ Strengthening awareness and protecting the rights of people living with HIV are key elements in increasing access to services and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” she added.
Speaking earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police Greadwick Mangadzi commended NAC for organizing the orientation and bringing together police officers from across the Southern Region to be empowered with information on HIV and AIDS programming in the country.
“I am delighted to be part of this important meeting. This orientation is timely, and we need more engagements of this nature within the Malawi Police Service. Due to the nature of our work, police officers often face challenging situations that may increase vulnerability to HIV infection. Nevertheless, we remain committed to working closely with NAC to ensure that the HIV Act is properly applied and that the rights of people living with HIV are protected,” said Mangadzi.
The awareness meeting was organized to orient law enforcers on the provisions and implications of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act and to strengthen their capacity to apply the law in relevant cases. In the past year, the National AIDS Commission conducted similar orientations targeting members of the judiciary, including judges of the High Court and Supreme Court as well as Magistrates, as part of broader efforts to promote awareness and effective implementation of the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management Act (No. 9 of 2018).
