She chose nursing because she wanted to change lives—one patient at a time. But as she stepped deeper into the world of HIV care, she found something even more profound: the power to change systems and reshape the futures of thousands of people.

Working in clinics and communities for the past 18 years, Annie Kanyemba witnessed the realities many people living with HIV face— including various clinical health challenges that affect their health and well-being, stigma, fear, and moments where hope feels fragile. These experiences didn’t discourage her. They strengthened her resolve.

Today, as a Care and Treatment Lead for Jhpiego Malawi, Annie stands at the center of a movement that is bringing dignity, compassion, and high-quality care to clients in 13 facilities that provide Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for HIV services across the Central, Southern, and Northern regions of Malawi.  Her work goes far beyond supervision; it is about ensuring that every person who walks through the doors of a health facility—whether stable, unstable, or critically ill—receives the right care, at the right time, in the right way.

Across these 13 facilities, Annie supports teams of clinicians, nurses, facility leadership, and expert clients (HIV positive people who voluntarily disclose their status in order to support others) to deliver client-centered services, strengthens HIV viral load monitoring, oversees appointments and Interruption in Treatment (IIT) tracing, and ensures timely correction of Dry Blood Spot (DBS) samples to deliver respectful, evidence-based care.

But behind all these responsibilities lies one belief: Every life matters.

Annie recalls how a young woman had returned to the clinic after defaulting for over a year—weak, afraid, and struggling to breathe. Her Dry Blood Spot sample, which is used to monitor HIV viral load, was initially rejected; a delay that could have cost her life. But through fast-tracked intervention, sample correction, and intensive support, the team acted quickly. She was restarted on treatment, stabilized, and eventually achieved viral suppression. Later, the woman said, “Your persistence saved my life.”
Moments like this, says Annie, remind her why this work is more than a profession—it’s a calling.

Through innovations such as multi-month dispensing, improved appointment reminder systems, differentiated service delivery, and stronger counselling and follow-up, Annie has seen people who were once critically ill regain strength, rebuild families, and find hope again. She has learned that resilience grows when people feel understood, supported, and treated with dignity.

Annie also knows that stigma remains one of the greatest enemies in HIV response. Every day, she works to create safe spaces by training health workers and expert clients to offer non-judgmental care, protecting client confidentiality, empowering clients with information, and breaking the misconceptions that continue to silence too many. For her, World AIDS Day is a moment to reflect on lives saved, honor lives lost and recommit to a future where no one is left behind. It is a reminder that HIV is no longer a death sentence—thanks to treatment, support, and the unwavering dedication of healthcare workers like her and her colleagues across.

Her message to people living with HIV is simple: “You are not alone. HIV is not the end of your story. With treatment, support, and belief in yourself, you can live a full, healthy, and hopeful life. Your courage inspires us every day.”

Chikondi Phambala is a Communication and Knowledge Management Officer for Jhpiego in Malawi.

Elizabeth Irungu is the Regional Technical Advisor for HIV at Jhpiego.