Organization: College of Medicine, Kamuzu College of Health Sciences (Malawi), and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Region: Africa
Nationality: Malawi
Country: Malawi
Interests & expertise: Co-infections (TB, hepatitis, STIs, etc.)
Profession or occupation: Educator/trainer
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
Three of my close relatives have lived with HIV and two have died of AIDS-related illnesses. I work as a doctor in Malawi, which has a high HIV prevalence. I have seen first-hand how the pandemic has affected the country's economy and how overwhelmed our health system is with the huge numbers of people with HIV and HIV-related co-morbidities. In addition, we have a new and growing burden of non-communicable diseases that we have to deal with. It is my duty, together with everyone interested in issues surrounding HIV, to come up with solutions and execute them to manage this pandemic.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
My goal is to be part of an exciting movement of change makers and researchers who are working on developing an effective HIV vaccine and an effective HIV treatment. I would like to develop better ways of service delivery for people living with HIV with co-morbidities, including NCDs.