Malawian Campaign Platform

Summary

Malawi is one of the round 3 countries and the World AIDS Campaign became involved in the country in 2011. Initial meetings took place in June 2011 and Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organisation (MANASO) was identified as the main partner.

Mission and Vision

• An inclusive and diverse PLHIV movement-centered, civil society-led structure that is sustainable;
• A structure which thinks and acts strategically to achieve Universal Access through campaigning, advocacy and lobbying; and
• A structure, which is realistic about the need to act with others regionally and globally in addressing the barriers to achieving Universal Access.

Current Campaigns

The civil society platform meeting was held in Lilongwe on 26 & 27 October 2011. The aim of the meeting was to develop a greater understanding of the HIV epidemic in Malawi and develop a coordinated civil society platform. The LTA programme was introduced and the opportunities for evidence informed advocacy, campaigning and lobbying presented. Key advocacy issues were identified and an advocacy plan is being developed.

Critical Issues for Advocacy:

• Increase availability of essential drugs, ARVS, particularly paediatric, condoms and test kits.
• Improvement of supply chain management through the Central Medical Stores.
• Invest in a nutrition plan for PLHIV on ARTs.
• Implementation of WHO guidelines across the board other than the phased approach that government has adopted. (+ call for implementation of Abuja Declaration (domestic funding)
• Access to services for minorities (MARPS), including stigma and discrimination.