HIV/AIDS programs overcome cultural taboos
International staff: 13
National staff: 94
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As a result of the AIDS epidemic, life expectancy in
Malawi has fallen to 41 years. Since 1990, MSF has provided
integrated HIV/AIDS care, including voluntary counseling
and testing, programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission
of the virus, treatment of opportunistic infections,
and education. In summer 2001, MSF began treatment
with antiretroviral (ARV) medicines.
Pilot antiretroviral program
MSF launched a pilot antiretroviral treatment program
in the rural district of Chiradzulu in August 2001. By June
2002, over 140 people were receiving these life-extending
medicines. Together with the local community, MSF has created
an admissions committee to participate in decisions
regarding access to the program. By fall 2002, 70 new
patients are to be included in the program each month. The
program will also be extended to children.
An integrated approach to HIV/AIDS in Thyolo
Home-based AIDS care continues in the southern district
of Thyolo, where MSF has an integrated, multi-sector program
that includes education and prevention in high-risk
groups and treatment of related diseases. MSF treats approximately
300 tuberculosis patients per year in Malawi and
over 75% are also HIV-positive.
In March 2002, MSF expanded the program in Thyolo to
include prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
This program provided prenatal counseling for more than
800 women in its first month, with 90% accepting voluntary
testing for HIV, an extraordinary number in a country
where HIV/AIDS is not discussed openly.
Cholera epidemic
Beginning in November 2001, MSF also responded to a
cholera epidemic that swept Malawi. Under control by
March 2002, the epidemic resulted in over 20,000 cases. MSF
is also monitoring the nutritional situation in Malawi.
The first MSF project in Malawi took place in 1986.
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