Director of Administration for the council Clement Gonthi made the observation on Friday on the sidelines of the opening of a two-day training on viral load suppression among children which it organized for parents and guardians of children living with HIV.

Gonthi said once children living with HIV have suppressed viral load, they can attend school easily as they live healthier lives.

"As a council, we are happy with what Thembi Community Initiative is doing in the fight against HIV, especially among children. Their interventions cannot go unnoticed," he said.

Gonthi then appealed to other NGOs working in the district to consolidate their efforts in the fight, saying such unity is needed for the district to reach the 95:95:95 target by 2030.

Meanwhile, Chitipa District ART Coordinator Thomson Chirwa appealed for more effort in the quest to suppress the viral load among children, saying there are many factors that hinder children from taking the drugs regularly.

"Our appeal should go to parents, and guardians. We need to monitor our children regularly to ensure that they take ARVs as recommended. This is good for them, for us and the community at large," said Chirwa.

He has, however, expressed worry that with a few children having high viral load and transitioning into adolescence, there are still chances that the district may continue recording new HIV infections, hence the need to do more in the fight.

Thembi Community Initiative director of programs Patrick Ziba expressed optimism that after the training, no child living with HIV in the district will have his or her viral load higher than recommended.

The two-day training brought together parents and guardians, whose children and wards have high viral loads despite being on ART.

Among other topics, the training tackled causes of high viral load, its dangers and ways to suppress viral load and preparation of nutritious foods.