The Network of Journalists Living with HIV (JONEHA) says Malawi’s HIV program has long relied on donor funding which is a setback in the fight against HIV and AIDS. David Kamkwamba, Executive Director of JONEHA, emphasizes that domestic resource mobilization is crucial to sustaining the gains made in HIV prevention and treatment.
“We’ve basked in the comfort zone of donor dependence for too long,” Kamkwamba says. “The violent wake-up call of funding freezes has shown us that we need to prioritize and innovate to end AIDS.”
The recent International AIDS Society (IAS) conference highlighted the importance of adapting to the new funding landscape. Kamkwamba notes that Malawi stands to benefit from scientific breakthroughs in HIV prevention and treatment, but it’s essential to prioritize domestic resource mobilization to sustain these gains.
JONEHA has been advocating for domestic resource mobilization, and Kamkwamba believes that Malawi needs to focus on this area to achieve confidence levels. “We will continue to push for domestic resource mobilization until Malawi achieves sustainability,” he says.
Kamkwamba also emphasizes the need for prioritization, particularly for populations at risk, such as children and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). “Malawi’s greatest need is domestic resource mobilization,” he says. “We need to utilize opportunities, such as the health financing strategy and private sector engagement framework, to increase domestic funding for HIV programs.”
While there are challenges, Kamkwamba sees opportunities for Malawi to sustain its progress toward ending AIDS. “We need to review and align our strategies with the new funding landscape,” he says. “The private sector can play a critical role, and the media can help sensitize the public about the importance of domestic resource mobilization.”
As Malawi navigates the changing funding landscape, Kamkwamba remains optimistic. “We’ve reached epidemic control, and now it’s time to sustain our gains,” he says. “With domestic resource mobilization and innovation, Malawi can end AIDS by 2030.”
