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MALAWI: AIDS takes centre stage during elections

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 20 May (PLUSNEWS) - People living with HIV/AIDS are high on the agenda as Malawi goes to the polls on Thursday.

According to a UK newspaper, The Guardian, political parties have swept away a decade of silence and embarrassment to compete for the votes of people affected by the disease.

AIDS activists welcomed the politicians joining the fight against the pandemic that has infected 1 million of Malawi's 11 million population, and which kills 85,000 people in the country every year.

The head of the relief agency, Care International in Malawi, Nick Osborne, said: "You only have to go around town to see the billboards about HIV/AIDS - there has been a lot of political support."

[ENDS]

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