Project Coordinator for Centre for Key Populations Rights, Dunker Kamba told Zodiak on Friday evening that Malawi needs to create better ways of supporting key populations including sex workers, gays and lesbians that inject and use drugs for various reasons.

“Malawi should admit that other citizens like sex workers, gays and lesbians inject and use drugs, so there is need to incorporate health issues in the country’s drug laws unlike just sticking to crime prevention laws.

“There should also be awareness and integration in supporting these people,” said Kamba whose sentiments were echoed by Diversity Forum and Social Justice Network.

He added that it is worrisome that HIV prevalence rate is high in people that use drugs.

“It is very important that we start talking, we start having discussions around people that inject and use drugs because the fact of the matter is that people are using drugs for various reasons in the country. People are using drugs in very unhealthy ways and as a result, are contributing to the spread of HIV in Malawi,” he said.

The project coordinator further stated that there is also a need to sensitize people that inject drugs for them to be in good health.

“A lot of awareness needs to be done. Different people and forums have to start talking about the situation in Malawi when it comes to people that inject drugs and how that is contributing to HIV transmission in Malawi. So, as long as we keep talking about these things, that is the way that we can fight HIV,” explained he.

Currently, the HIV prevalence rate among people who inject drugs is at 27 percent in the country. This is according to the Malawi Biological and Behavioral Surveillance survey of 2020.

The sentiments were made during a meeting in Blantyre on Friday after which was attended by various government departments including National Aids Commission, Police and various non-governmental organizations.