By Ireen Mseteka
Mzuzu City Mayor, Kondwani Nyasulu has said the City’s development lies in good health for its occupants, who could actively take part in various activities.
He made the remarks Friday during Mzuzu City World AIDS Day commemoration, held at Mzuzu Golf Club.
Nyasulu said that, “Good health is directly related to development of any area, the city needs healthy people. Activities such as the one we have today help us to take charge of our health,”
The Mayor said it was an open secret that HIV and AIDS has had devastating effects to people’s livelihoods adding that the pandemic has taken productive people of the society.
He said HIV and AIDS has suffocated work force saying that the pandemic has not spared any community member directly or indirectly, thereby affecting the development of the city and the country as a whole.
Nyasulu asked the gathering to ensure they abstain, be faithful and use condoms in order for the rate of HIV/AIDS infections to be reduced.
He talked of Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) as some of initiatives his office promotes to contain spread of the virus.
The Mayor said the Council would continue to devise policies that are health sensitive to the city in as far as HIV and AIDS is concerned including creation of conducive environment for public and private organizations that implement HIV/AIDS programs and services.
District Aids Coordinating Committee (DACC) Chairperson, Evans Mwale said HIV prevalence rate has dropped from 23.8 to 10.6 per cent in the City through support of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Support Groups.
He advised the community members and all stake holders to continue playing a role in the reduction of spread ofHIV/AIDS.
The activity, under the theme “Communities can make the difference,” was sponsored by ADRA, ESCOM, Immigration department and Chinese community among others.
