Zambia records reduction in HIV/AIDS prevalence
Zambia has continued to record a steady decline in the spread of the HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) due to an increase in access to quality interventions.
And the country has also continued to record significantly attained progress at all levels of HIV/AIDS interventions particularly in diagnosis, treatment and care.
According to the Ministry of Health’s National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP) of 2011 to 2016, the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the adult population has declined from 16. %1 in 2002 to14.3% as of 2007.
The National Health Strategic Plan which was released by Health Minister Joseph Kasonde in Lusaka recently further indicates that an estimated 16.1 % females and 12.3 % males are infected with HIV in both urban and rural area.
The urban areas have however continued to have higher HIV prevalence of about 20% as compared to the rural areas which are recording a prevalence of about 10%.
Moreover,(NHSP also indicates that new HIV infections are projected to increase from an estimated 67,602 adults in 2006 to 72,019 in the year 2015 translating into approximately 185 new HIV infections every day.
Out of these daily HIV infections, an estimated 10% of HIV transmission is from parent to child mostly occurring during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
In the five year plan, Government has since put up strong measures to scale up interventions particularly in Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT, Abstinence, Be Faithful and Condom Use (ABC) Strategies, Male Circumcision (MC), Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTC) Among Others.
Currently over 900,000 Zambians are living with HIV and over 250,000 are receiving Anti Retro Therapy (ART).
And Government has taken the fight against HIV/AIDS countrywide very seriously.
Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Wilbur Simuusa pointed out that the HIV virus is affecting the ability of all Zambians to pursue their goals.
Mr Simuusa was speaking in Lusaka yesterday at the swearing in ceremony of 34 American Peace Corps new volunteers who will be in the country for two years to work in six provinces to address local issues especially those focused on forestry to improve the livelihood of many Zambians especially in rural areas
Mr Simuusa observed that government and other institutions were losing a lot workers because of the disease.
He pointed out that the pandemic cannot be fought by one ministry or organization but requires concerted efforts from all in the country.
Mr Simuusa noted that the disease must be addressed by all in Zambia if the fight against HIV/AIDS was to be won.
He said the new 34 Peace Corps volunteers as they work with communities throughout Zambia, will see and feel the impact that the HIV/AIDS has on the lives of Zambians, families and the workforce.
Mr Simuusa also added that the volunteers who will be in the country to work in six provinces to improve the livelihood of many Zambians should also help address the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He pointed out that with all the Zambian government’s and the American Peace Corps hard work, collaboration and partnership can continue to save lives of men, women and children who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Zambia.
Mr Simuusa said government looks forward to working with the Peace Corps volunteers for years to come and anticipates a close collaboration and cooperation between the two.
Meanwhile, American Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella said the American government works hand in hand with the Zambian government to reduce the transmission of HIV and to improve the quality of life of those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS Zambia.
Mr Storella urged the Peace Corps volunteers to pursue HIV/AIDS prevention with the greatest energy and enthusiasm.
ZANIS
Related News:
- ARVs have helped stabilize HIV/AIDS rate in Zambia – Chirwa
- Rural poverty inpact on HIV/AIDS worries official
- Chama District records a surge in HIV/ AIDS infections
- Hiv prevalence declines among Zambia pregnant women
- Low female condom usage worries Katete HIV/AIDS activist
- HIV/AIDS remains a source of grave concern – Syamujaye
- Maureen Urges African First Ladies to Spearhead HIV/AIDS fight
The number has declined but still high.
Gentlemen sheath your boys and Ladies value your girls not chipase pase, the numbers could go even lower.
Why not enact protection law in the new constitution ie make it illegal to infect another person. I think it will help in the long run.
Truthfully………i agree with you, there should be a stiff punishment for those who knowingly infect others. some people go on the rampage, sleeping around and infecting others after finding themselves HIV positive. the law should do something about such people!
Parents should be free to talk to their children about sex issues. Tell them the hard facts. If children can not be taught at home, their peers will teach them, and teach them the wrong stuff! One of the complaints the youth have against their parents is that they (parents) shy away from discussing sex issues! Parents, let us be bold, and talk to our children, to direct them in the right path! The onus is upon us! Let us not leave it to teachers alone to do it. We have a big and invaluable role to play!
Dear editor, I hve just witnessed a child being electrocuted here in mumbwa and loosing both hands due to zesco negligency by failing to secure the transformer yard. Pliz bring this to the attention of authority. The chi
Organize the parents and the community to get a lawyer and sue Zesco.
16% to 14%, I think the minister ought to have said something about whether the reduction is statistically significant or not.
Sounds like prevalence has remained unchanged or ‘plateaued’ if you like……..
This title is so misleading, I thought the DHS 2012 was out. The figure of 14.3 is old from 2007. New DHS is expected later this year, the strategic plan is not a primary source of such data. Please people chill
Govt and other NGOs can only do so much, the rest is up to individuals to protect themselves. The HIV virus is a hard teacher, either learn the lesson well or perish.
Sounds like the reduction is due to deaths of infected people. There isn’t enough analysis to say otherwise. People still screw around like the last days of Sodom.
Zambians like sex and have thrown caution to the wind. I suspect that we are dealing with a false positive here. Fact is reduction is because a lot of already infected have died contributing to the lowered prevalence. The real statistic is whether new infections are on the rise or dropping, I suspect that they are on the rise. The prevalence is just the number of new infections negated by those that have died.
I think this is one of the such a lot important info for me. And i’m happy reading your article. However wanna observation on some common things, The web site taste is great, the articles is actually excellent : D. Just right activity, cheers
I commend the state and stakeholders for the efforts made to lower the prevalence. However, its disheartaining to note that out of the over 900,000 known to be living with the virus, only about 250,000 are on ARV treatment! Is it a problem of availability of ART or some other reason? Please lets save everyone because we can.
the topic starter give us a good reference information~~`I am learning from it..and now I know how to choose the goods on the internet~~after heard of your tips, I will be carefully to shopping.~~~surpport you~!!!
I simply needed to thank you very much yet again. I do not know the things I could possibly have done without the entire aspects shared by you regarding that concern. It was before the intimidating issue in my view, but considering a new expert fashion you solved that forced me to leap for joy. I am just happy for this guidance and thus trust you really know what a powerful job you happen to be carrying out training men and women by way of your website. Probably you’ve never encountered any of us.
7 Things To Consider Before Buying A Blood Pressure Monitor