NAC Engages News Editors and Senior Journalists on Malawi’s National HIV and AIDS Response

You are popularly known as the fourth arm of government, as such we value your contributing in documenting and disseminating what is being implemented even in rural communities to ensure the country remains on track in its response. Over the years, you have played an extremely valuable role in this journey by keeping the public informed, holding the response accountable and helping ensure that the best possible services and outcomes are delivered to the people of Malawi” applauded Ms. Chilambe.

The NAC’S Ag. CEO indicated the Commission was also compelled to organize the high-level media engagement after realizing an influx of questions from both local and international media organization regarding the progress of a newly introduced long injectable PrEP Lenacapavir, and new national HIV estimates.  According to NAC Ag. CEO responding to the queries individually was becoming increasingly difficult and that might result in fragmented responses. 

One key presentation delivered during the high-level media engagement was on Malawi’s HIV and AIDS response. NAC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Shadreck Sulani, provided an overview of the national HIV estimates.  In his presentation, he emphasized on the importance of accurate data reporting in the media.  

I would like you to know that numbers matter in the field of Journalism, you are the carriers of figures to the public, some people get HIV data through news reports rather than technical fact sheets, making the media an important link between HIV statistics and public understanding”, Sulani explained.

Taking his turn, NAC’s HIV Prevention and Management Officer, Mr.  Stanley Ngoma made a presentation on emerging issues in Malawi’s HIV and AIDS response in which he detailed different Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) options available in the country.

These included long-acting injectables Lenacapavir, which is administered twice a year and a two monthly injectable PrEP   Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as well as Oral PrEP.

Malawi introduced Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2019 as part of HIV prevention. PrEP is an antiretroviral (ARV) medication that people who are HIV negative use to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV before potential exposure to the virus.

Further to that, a presentation focused on the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Management) Act #9 of 2018 was done by NAC’s HIV Prevention and Management Officer Mr. Ellious Chasukwa.

He highlighted key provisions such asprohibition of discrimination, right to privacy, confidentiality and unlawful disclosure as well as accreditation and prohibition of publishing false and misleading information on HIV and AIDS.

To wrap up, NAC’s Capacity Building and Coordination Officer, Ms. Getrude Nsini, provided an update on this year’s World AIDS Day commemorations, scheduled for 1 December 2026.  She stated that the commemorations aim to increase HIV awareness, foster unity, demonstrate solidarity with people living with HIV and honor those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses.  This year, the launch of WAD activities will be done simultaneously in three districts of Mzimba North, Ntcheu and Chiradzulu districts.