Government has appealed to the youth to get tested for HIV as they are the population which is at higher risk of contracting the virus because they have unprotected sex.

The plea was made as Malawi commemorated World AIDS Day on December 1.

In an interview with YFM online Minister of Health and Population Atupele Muluzi said at least 330,000 people in Malawi do not know their status and amongst them are youth between the ages of 24-40.

“All people should access Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services so that HIV should be prevented and when one is found HIV positive they should get treatment and live a healthy life, “said Muluzi.

Muluzi expressed concern on behaviours which the youth are indulging in which expose them to contract the virus.

“It is very sad to note that youth friendly health services are available and most youth do not fully utilize such facilities. They choose to stay without knowing their status thereby infecting their partners in the process,” worried Muluzi.

Muluzi said it is possible for Malawi to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

Statistics show that approximately 1 million people are HIV positive in Malawi.