Government has disclosed that the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the Country is still alarming.
Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao said this to mark the Launch of the World Voluntary Counseling and Testing VCT Day which fall today on National Television last evening.
Mr Simbao said estimates indicate that as of 2009 about 82,600 new HIV/AIDS related infections of people between the ages of 15 and 49 were recorded.
This translates into 226 new infections everyday.
The Minister said Government attributes the rise in new infections to continued low levels of VCT among Zambians and uneasy access to HIV/AIDS testing centers and facilities especially in rural areas.
Mr Simbao explains that lack of testing which he says has been caused by fear of stigmatization and discrimination has led to people missing out on opportunities to receive free and proper treatment.
He said that this has led to making the fight against HIV/AIDS nearly impossible.
Mr Simbao calls on Zambians to instill Confidence in each other if the Country is to record success in the fight against the Scourge that has caused huge repercussions on not only Zambia but the entire African Continent.
He has,however, noted that there has been an improvement in the number of people that are turning up for Voluntary Counseling and testing VCT.
And Mr Simbao says Faith Based Organizations FBOs are well placed to offer solutions to the fight Against HIV/AIDS.
He says this because FBOs have a unique platform and strength to offer support to families.
He also encouraged the FBOs to use their unique position to help Government bring the levels of HIV/AIDS as low as possible.
This week will see Health Centers and Non Governmental Organizations offering free VCT services and other HIV related information.
[ QFM ]
Stop blaming lack of VCT and lack of access to testing centres. The HIv rate is preading liekw idefire because zambians love to shag recklessly in promiscuous circumstances. It seems like loyalty, morals and self respect are a thing of the past right now. Why people can’t stick to one partner and just stay loyal buffles me. If you go to any zambian church, bar, college, workplace or even home you will be shocked at the level of reckless promiscuity
Even MPs are dying from AIDS so there is nothing alarming about it.
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#2 Kashimaini – Watch “The Lazarus effect” on Youtube or HBO
#5 Nubian Princess I have watched The Lazarus Effect. I am aware of the effects of HI/AIDS too. I am a healthy professional and if you are a Zambian, I would tell you that I worked at Chikankata Hospital. We introduced Home based care in Zambia with Dr Campbell and Dr Chela. However my problem with politicians is that they say something else but they do another thing. How many MPs have revealed their HIV status in Zambia? Zero. We just see them die everyday from HIV related illnesses but want to say it is cancer. The politicians should be in the forefront in encouraging people to be tested for HIV like what Dr Kenneth Kaunda is doing. They should also be tested if possible publicly. If they just lecture like that no one will take note of what they are saying. Thanks
Too many brothels and some foreigners from unstable countries are selling sex very cheaply.This a major problem.
Go Matero opposite Matero Police Station,those guests habours prositutes(WOMEN OF THE NIGHT).
The law is very weak on brothels,guests.
i agree with No1 zo ona, Zambians are careless when it comes to sex. very promiscuos for a minutes pleasure ignoring the life long possible negative effects to health etval. nowadays even marriecd women are having affairs with married men, for what? peoplet stick to one partner? I think the solution is to keep stigma that way people may fear the stigma more than the condition otherrwise they dont care cause no one will see them shag unless lucky spouse catches them red-handed.
A very worrisome situation this is, the availability of remedies is not meant to make people careless but it seems to be the case.
#4 Nubian princess, I have just watched the documentary! I felt like crying and realise how blessed and lucky I am to be healthy. There is a lot of untold suffering especially in the shanty compounds! If only our politicians could visit these rural areas and see for themselves then I guess people like Kapoko cannot afford to siphon money from MOH.I plan to go home soon and see how I can offer myself to the millions of Zambians who are suffering!
Fellow bloggers,it is not everyone who is getting AIDS from promiscuity! Look at the innocent children that are born with the condition. What about the faithful wife @ home who is infected by the unfaithful husband or vice-versa! I had a sister who died from AIDS not because she was promiscuous but she got it from the husband. A very humble and God fearing lady she was but today she is no more not because of her fault but someone else’s.The AIDS pandemic is quite a twisted phenomenon which needs efforts from everyone!
what about the poor nurses who are exposed day in day out with the necessary personal protective equipment?
meant to read ‘ withOUT the necessary personal protective equipment
After 20 years of MMD rule, the life expectancy of a Zambian born today is only 38 years. Its clear MMD has not improved life for Zambians.
Fellow citizens. It is inhuman not to be sympathetic to those suffering. You can not blame people for immorality when you don’t even know how they got it. Some of thes comments amounts to stigmatisation. Let us wear a human face when we make comments in order to help.
Ubuchende pa zed bwachimfya, mwalapwa ukufwa lwenu… [-o<[-o<[-o<
Ba Zed, women worship their unfaithful hubby’s like they’re Gods, once you see the smoke my dear run for ur life otherwise you become a statistics. Also women who cheat on their hubbies is on the rise, what a LIFE!!!!o:-)
An fascinating discussion is value comment. I think that you must write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject however usually individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers