MLW Occupation Health Nurse Stephen Amos has hailed MLW staff for coming in large numbers to access HIV self-testing kits in an exercise that was conducted on 18 March 2022 at MLW premises in Blantyre.

He said it is encouraging to note that there is an uptake in the number of staff who accessed these self-testing kits compared to the last time a similar exercise was conducted in December 2021.

The exercise was conducted with the aim of supporting the staff’s effort to know their HIV status and to seek appropriate medical care.

“The only way to know whether you are HIV positive or negative is to get tested. For instance, when HIV is diagnosed and treated early, people can live longer. Knowing one’s status also allows one to take precautions against spreading the virus to others”

HIV self-testing kits distribution is one of the provisions in the MLW HIV & AIDS workplace policy which was developed to ensure MLW addresses issues of HIV & AIDS in its workplace.

One of the people who accessed the self-testing kits, a field worker, Peter Malunga said these self-testing kits are very convenient and confidential. He added that these kits do not require one to visit the hospital to get tested.

“When it comes to confidentiality, these kits also provide maximum privacy. Sometimes people do not go for a test because of privacy issues which is not an issue when it comes to self-testing kits. In other words, there is low barrier access when using these kits. These kits also include all the instructions which mean it does not require technical expertise,” said Malunga.

As a way of keeping up with the spirit of fighting against HIV&AIDS, MLW will continue to provide HIV & AIDS awareness information, distributing abstaining tools and Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) administration to those exposed through needle sticks or splash injuries.

Close to 350 HIV self-testing kits were distributed to MLW staff during the exercise.