By Chisomo Phiri
A study by a media advocacy organization; Journalists Association Against AIDS(JAAA) , has reveled that Malawi is not doing well in dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
According to the study, Malawi has neglected STI interventions for a long time, leading to growing cases each day.
The study has further bemoaned critical shortage of drugs for STIs, indicating that some health facilities have run out of critical drugs for STIs such as Gentamicin.
Programme manager at the Journalists Association Against AIDS Dingani Mithi told 247 Malawi News in an interview that it is worrisome that such critical drugs are not available in some health facilities, despite high demand especially from young people.
“It is something worrisome that the country has no adequate STls drugs in hospitals. Something must be done so that this comes to an end,” she said.
Mithi also said it is worrisome that Malawi has no vaccines for STIs except for the Human papillomavirus (HPV).
But on his part, Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe said the picture is not as it being painted by the study as they always use other alternatives, just like they do with all other ailments when a particular drug is not available.
He indicated that the government has put in place several measures of containing the spread of STls.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that are spread by sexual contact. STIs are very common and easily spread.
Some STIs can be treated and cured, but others cannot be cured.
