Blantyre Youth Organization Implements Health Program for HIV Patients

Malawi: A youth organization in Blantyre, Nancholi Youth Organization (NAYO), is providing quality healthcare services to people living with HIV through its health program, writes Hamida Assan Mwale.

The organization has a clinic that offers free antiretroviral treatment, nutrition for adolescents, women, and men living with HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health services, family planning, and school support.

NAYO is committed to fighting all social issues that contribute to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

The organization has 175 local volunteers trained in the management of persons living with HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, human rights, gender, and peer education.

The introduction of the initiative has helped the community access quality health services, and beneficiaries have expressed gratitude for the ART program within the community.

The organization is planning to expand the initiative as there are still other hard-to-reach areas where accessibility and affordability of healthcare services are burdens.

"We really look forward to having shelters in such communities so that people can comfortably receive the care they deserve," said Storian James, Communications Officer for Nancholi Youth Organization.

Currently, NAYO has 207 children, adolescents, women, and men in the ART program in its three community clinics.

80% of under-five children on ART have access to therapeutic foods, while adolescents and adults have access to free food items such as cooking oil, sugar, beans, and groundnuts.

NAYO is a communication-based organization established in April 2004 and is registered with the Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organizations MANASO, the District AIDS Coordination Committee (DACC), and the Medical Council of Malawi.

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