FACE Project Officer, Costa Nkhani, has noted with concern that the media is not doing enough on HIV/AIDS prevention reporting.

 Nkhani said mostly the media has been focusing on other issues. 

"We rely on the media in raising awareness on HIV/AIDS if we are to make headway in curbing the spread. 

"There are so many myths out there about HIV/AIDS. We rely on the media to give right information to the people, "explained Nkhani. 

He told Zodiak Online on Friday that in partnership with Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) they have secured funds amounting to K34 million to implement a one year project on HIV/AIDS. 

According to Nkhani, the project is aimed at halting the spread of the virus in various hotspots including Bangula, Sorgin and Tengani mostly focusing on youths aged 13-35 years by raising awareness. 

"These are some of the hotspots being targeted. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high in some places due to fishing activities among other factors. 

FACE organized a three day training for Journalists in the Valley aimed at enhancing their reporting skills on HIV/AIDS prevention. 

Nyanthepa Community Radio Head of Programs who is also a Chief Editor, Precious Kadwala, believes the training will make a difference.

"It's an eye opener. “We have been giving a blind eye on such issues.

"The district's HIV/AIDS Coordinator, has indicated that about 29,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in the district, the number is huge.

"Let's do more in sensitizing the communities on how they can prevent it," explained Kadwala.

She said failure to improve on reporting such issues could impact negatively on the country's quest to get to zero new infections by 2030.

"So as journalists we have a role to play if this is to be achieved. There is PEP and PREP which is prescribed as a preventive measure, let's take such information to the people," said Kadwala.