Stakeholders Discuss HIV/AIDS Sustainability in Malawi

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), through its Health and Economic Policy Unit (HEPU), brought together various stakeholders to discuss sustainable options for addressing HIV/AIDS in Malawi, particularly in light of the recent aid freeze from the United States and other governments.

The discussions took place during the 15th Think Tank session, aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the critical challenges surrounding HIV/AIDS sustainability.

Associate Professor Adamson Muula, speaking on behalf of the Executive Dean of the School of Global and Public Health, emphasized the significance of the gathering in exploring potential solutions through presentations focused on health impact systems.

“Ultimately, we will engage in a guided plenary session where we will collectively identify and prioritize the evidence needed to develop effective and sustainable strategies for Malawi’s HIV/AIDS response,” he stated.

Samson Ndolo, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, commended KUHeS for its foresight and strategic leadership in bridging evidence and policy, noting the timeliness of the Think Tank.

“As we progress into Part B of the Roadmap, locally grounded, policy-responsive evidence will be increasingly vital. The decisions we face will be complex and, at times, difficult. We will require timely data, robust modeling, transparent costing, and credible scenario analysis to ensure our decisions are not only strategic but also equitable,” he remarked.

Ndolo also expressed concern over the aid freeze, which he described as occurring at a critical juncture for the ministry, just as it was making significant strides in advancing the HIV sustainability agenda and the development of the first part of the HIV Sustainability Roadmap.

“Malawi’s HIV response has seen remarkable achievements over the past two decades, including a dramatic reduction in new infections and AIDS-related deaths. We’ve met the 95–95–95 targets ahead of global timelines. However, this success hinges on a structural vulnerability: our heavy reliance on external funding,” he noted.

HEPU Director Professor Joseph Mfutso-Bengo considered the Think Tank a success, stating its purpose was to assess the impact of the funding withdrawal and determine appropriate actions.

“The Think Tank is designed to evaluate the immediate effects of the funding cuts and to explore strategies moving forward. Given that our resource envelope has narrowed, we must conduct efficiency analyses to minimize waste. It is essential that we integrate services and harmonize systems to optimize health outcomes,” he concluded.