The councils Principal Nutrition and HIV and Aids Officer Whitney Kondowe has attributed this reduction to good collaboration between the council and its partners in HIV and AIDS management.

She however said being a border district, they face challenges to trace clients who are absconding Antiretroviral Therapy.

"There are a lot of economic activities taking place in the district especially in the border areas and they put some careless citizens at the risk of contracting the HIV," said Kondowe.

She spoke on Tuesday during a joint International Candlelight Memorial and World Aids Day event held at Gambula Primary School ground, close Malawi-Mozambique border in Mulanje district.

Chairperson of Mulanje District Council Councilor Thokozani Namoyo called for continued love and care to people living with HIV.

He said to date, almost every family has been affected by HIV and AIDS in one way or another.

"HIV and AIDS remain a health problem in the district much as the prevalence rate of HIV has declined and this is the reason in most of our council meetings, we deliberate on this problem. We want to reduce it further," said Namoyo. 

The office of Director of Education, Youth and Sports and other partners such as the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Family Health Services, Girls Empowerment Network (GENET), GAIA, Plan International Malawi and MANASO supported the event.