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Dignitas established its pilot project in the Zomba District of Malawi in 2004. In collaboration with national and local governments, Dignitas is increasing access to HIV/AIDS-related prevention, treatment, care and support for people across the district.

We are now raising funds for our project in the Zomba District.

Context

Malawi is located in southern Africa and is among the African countries hardest hit by HIV. There are approximately 930,000 people living with HIV in Malawi, 52% of whom are women 15 years of age or older. In 2007, there were approximately 68,000 deaths due to AIDS among adults and children in Malawi, and approximately 560,000 AIDS orphans. HIV especially impacts women and children. At the end of 2007, there were approximately 91,000 Malawian children living with HIV and 73,000 HIV-positive pregnant women, of whom only 32% received some form of antiretroviral prophylaxis.
 
For Malawi, as in many sub-Saharan African countries, HIV/AIDS is a national emergency that is overwhelming the health of the population and the social and economic structures that are needed to respond to the pandemic. Across all sectors, the number of healthcare providers available to see and treat patients is critically low, with approximately one physician per 100,000 people. In 2007, UNAIDS estimates that over 100,000 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy in Malawi, but that close to 300,000 people were in need of this treatment.

Zomba is one of the largest districts in Malawi, with a population of approximately 670,500, over 87,000 of whom live in the urban centre. Zomba District is also located in the region of highest national prevalence - 16.5% of the adult population. 

Zomba Central Hospital and Zomba District Health Office cannot meet the demand for HIV/AIDS-related health services. Over 50% of healthcare posts remain vacant. There is a lack of financial resources, an erratic supply of medicines and medical material, a lack of technical knowledge about the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, and a dysfunctional referral system. Populations in the periphery have very limited access to health services.

(HIV/AIDS statistics from UNAIDS.)

Program for Zomba District, Malawi »

1. Context
2. Program
3. Beneficiaries
4. General Objective
5. Five Year Objectives for Zomba District (2004-2009)