US embassy cable - 04LILONGWE859

UNCLAS E F T O SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000859 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
NOFORN 
 
HARARE FOR DATT 
GABORONE FOR ODC 
DEPT FOR INR/AA 
DIA FOR AFRICA DIVISION/A. DEMOTTE 
NHRC FOR DHAPP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: X5 
TAGS: MCAP, KHIV, PINR, MASS, TBIO, MI, Defense/Security, Military, HIV/AIDS 
SUBJECT: MALAWI ARMY SET TO GAIN GROUND IN HIV/AIDS FIGHT 
 
REF: A. 03 LILONGWE 1190 
 
     B. 03 LILONGWE 336 
 
SUMMARY 
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1. (SBU/NF//FOUO) In a resource poor environment, the Malawi 
Defense Force (MDF) highlights prevention as its main 
campaign against HIV/AIDS, but has recently scaled up its 
voluntary counseling and testing services as well as care and 
treatment programs.  USG assistance has helped position the 
MDF to expand program offerings, as Global Fund and other 
resources come on line.  Although the MDF's infection rate 
likely remains near fifty percent, strong leadership and 
effective programs are mitigating the pandemic's impact and 
are likely to regain the ground the MDF has lost to HIV/AIDS. 
 END SUMMARY. 
 
RECRUITING A LOW INFECTION RATE, FOCUSING ON PREVENTION 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
2. (SBU/NF//FOUO) Since 2000 when the Malawi Defense Force 
(MDF) began taking new recruits after a four year, 
budget-driven hiatus, military entrance exams have included 
an HIV/AIDS test.  Although the MDF has not made the policy 
public, applicants who test positive fail the health section 
of the entrance exam and are not admitted to the military. 
Once the new recruits begin basic training, they take 
HIV/AIDS specific courses in an effort to keep new recruits 
seronegative.  In addition, HIV/AIDS components have been 
added to all courses at the Malawi Armed Forces College 
(MAFCO) and are taught to everyone from enlisted personnel to 
seasoned officers.  The current HIV/AIDS education and 
prevention training material was funded by the Naval Health 
Research Center (NHRC) through the Defense HIV/AIDS 
Prevention Program (DHAPP). 
 
VCT SERVICES SCALE-UP WITH USG SUPPORT 
-------------------------------------- 
3. (SBU/NF//FOUO) Since NHRC/DHAPP began supporting the MDF 
in FY03, the MDF has opened three voluntary counseling and 
testing (VCT) centers at its three principal barracks.  The 
centers offer the range of VCT services, including rapid 
testing, behavior counseling, and prevention education, and 
are open to service members living on the barracks and 
civilians in surrounding communities.  To reduce the stigma 
associated with individuals visiting VCTs, all three sites 
have started offering basic clinical services as well. 
 
4. (SBU/NF//FOUO) DHAPP funds have also helped support the 
MDF's home-based care program.  However, the program is not 
yet fully operational because of hiccups with funding for 
training from the National AIDS Commission (NAC). 
 
USING NEW WEAPONS: ARV ROLL-OUT 
------------------------------- 
5. (SBU/NF//FOUO) With the GOM's national mandate of two 
percent of government agency budgets going to HIV/AIDS 
programs, the MDF recently started offering an 
anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy program for MDF personnel and 
their families at the barracks in Lilongwe.  The program 
currently has 75 individuals enrolled and is supported by six 
ARV-trained MDF medical professionals.  MDF HIV/AIDS 
Coordinator LTC Mafumu Gondwe said the program will be 
expanding to other military facilities in October as a result 
of Global Fund support. 
 
6. (SBU/NF//FOUO) In recent months, the percentage of 
infected visitors to the MDF's VCTs has been on the rise. 
According to Gondwe, offering clinical services and the 
provision of ARV therapy are the reasons.  Gondwe says MDF 
personnel are much more willing to come forward and face 
HIV/AIDS when they know they have treatment options 
available. 
 
THANKFUL FOR USG SUPPORT 
------------------------ 
7. (SBU/NF//FOUO) Gondwe and the MDF's senior leadership 
routinely thank the USG for supporting the military's 
HIV/AIDS program.  According to Gondwe, as the first to 
support the MDF's program, the USG has positioned the 
military to take advantage of Global Fund resources before 
other GOM agencies.  At present, the MDF is considered to be 
a leader in the GOM on HIV/AIDS response, prevention, and 
treatment. 
 
COMMENT 
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8. (SBU/NF//FOUO) Resources have limited the size of the 
MDF's HIV/AIDS program, but not its quality.  As more 
resources come on line, treatment and care programs will be 
expanding, but the MDF plans to maintain its primary focus on 
prevention.  With the senior command committed to delivering 
high quality HIV/AIDS programs and the recent influx of 
resources, the MDF should see its infection rate decrease in 
the medium-term.  END COMMENT. 
RASPOLIC