By Yanjanani Mendulo

Chiradzulu, May 20, Mana: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) aspiring Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu Nguludi Constituency, Winston Bergi, has pledged K1.7 million to support Mwaiwathu Support Group, a community of people living with HIV and AIDS from Maloya Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Likoswe in Chiradzulu District.

Bergi made the pledge on Tuesday after the group raised concerns about taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication on empty stomach due to lack of food, a situation which negatively affects their health and adherence to treatment.

Speaking in an interview, Mwaiwathu Support Group Advisor, Isaac Mazudi, said the support will go a long way in addressing the challenges faced by the 80 members of the support group.

"Apart from advising each other not to share medicine even within families, we also encourage each other to eat nutritious food so the medication can work effectively. The promised funds will help us start small businesses and use the profits to buy food," he said.

He said the group encourages members to remain strong, seek medical attention when needed, and not to delay in collecting ARVs once they run out.

One of the beneficiaries, Mary Saiti, said the support will bring significant change in her life.

"I will start selling farm produce such as tomatoes and vegetables, and I hope to make some profit to buy food," she said.

The group meets in one of the classrooms at Goleka Catholic Full Primary School and operates under the slogan "Ndife a mphanvu, a thanzi ndi opanda nkhawa."