Disclosure key to positive living with HIV/Aids

Ntcheu district principal nutrition HIV/Aids officer Martin Lindankono says opening is the first step to living positively with the HIV/Aids pandemic and free oneself psychologically from stigma and discrimination. Speaking last Saturday at Senzani during a Youth Net and Counseling (Yoneco) monitoring visit under the ‘Investing for the impact of HIV/Aids’ Lindankono said one has nothing to lose when they disclose their sero-status. “In our quest to achieving 95:95:95 target in dealing with HIV and AIDS disclosure is very important and liberating. When you disclose your status people discriminate and stigmatize you at the peril of own conscious and it doesn’t affect you. “Yoneco project has tremendously helped on the last 95 target of viral load suppression by reducing ART youth defaulters.  The component of nutrition compliments antiretroviral therapy hence ensuring healthy living,” Lindankono said. Tipindule Youth Club chairperson Linda Marko said all positively living youths in the area have healthy lives and improved economic status because of the soy, groundnuts and sweet potato seeds and seed money they were given. Yoneco board member Evance Mitochi said he was impressed with the impact the project is having on youth in the area. “Apart from production of soy, groundnuts and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes I have seen youths engage in businesses which is productive. Youths have saloons, groundnut flour grinding machines, pig and goat rearing among others. “This ensures HIV+ youth live positively after disclosing their statuses. Better nutrition and disclosure are paramount in HIV/ Aids management,” he said. With support from Egmont Trust Yoneco is in the second phase of implementing the Investing for the Impact of HIV/Aids among young people aged 10-29 in STA Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu.