Government has announced that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country has decreased by 1.3 per cent between 2001 and 2007.

Meanwhile, HIV and AIDS awareness among the Zambian population has increased to about 99 per cent.

Minister of Health, Brain Chituwo says HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has reduced from 15.6 per cent to 14.3 per cent over a period of six years.

Dr. Chituwo announced this in Lusaka today when he officially released the 2007 Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) and launched the Zambia Country Report; Multi-sectoral AIDS Response Monitoring and Evaluation Biennial Report, which he submitted to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on AIDS (UNGASS).

He attributed the development to government’s determination to improving the health sector and to stakeholders’ involvement towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He said the HIV prevalence in rural areas decreased from 10.8 per cent in 2001 to 10.3 per cent in 2007 while in urban areas, the figure slightly increased.

And Dr. Chituwo has disclosed that Zambia recorded an improvement in the maternal health care with a decrease in child mortality rates.

The minister further said there was a tremendous improvement protection of 7.9 per cent in 2001 to 32.7 per cent last year on malaria fights especially among pregnant women who used treated mosquito nets.

He commended the ZDHS and the Central Statistical Office (CSO) officials and other cooperating partners for the successful work they carried out.

Speaking earlier, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Country Representative, Aeneas Chuma, commended the Zambian government for managing to reduce the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

Mr. Chuma has since called for huge investment in the health sector to achieve the intended targets.

He further called for the formulation of Community HIV/AIDS Task Forces in communities to combat further reduce the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.

And National AIDS Council (NAC) Chairman Bishop Joshua Banda urged the media to continue educating the public about HIV/AIDS related issues.

An estimated 25,000 Zimbabweans are heading for Zambia as they flee anti-immigrant violence in South Africa with thousands of others leaving for Mozambique and Botswana, the Red Cross said Monday.

“In Zambia, our teams are expecting the arrival of 25,000 Zimbabweans, or 5,000 families,” Red Cross director for Southern Africa, Francoise Le Goff, told AFP on Monday.

“At least 5,500 Zimbabweans have had assistiance to Mozambique,” she added, and 342 had been received in centres near the border with Botswana.

Anti-immigrant violence has raged in South Africa over the last two weeks, leaving 50 dead and an estimated 35,000 displaced internally.

Authorities in Mozambique have said about 26,000 citizens have returned home since the violence began on May 11.

About three million Zimbabweans are believed to have fled an economic meltdown in their country to seek work in South Africa.

They and other foreigners are being blamed by locals in poor slum aeras for unemployment and high crime.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said on Sunday that Zimbabweans fleeing the anti-immigrant violence could have land if they returned home.

“Our land is still there, even for youngsters, those who are in South Africa who wish to return to the country,” he said.

Government has expressed concern at reports of abuse and ill-treatment of patients at Kafue district hospital by staff at the health facility resulting in members of the community opting to seek medical treatment elsewhere.

Kafue Member of Parliament Bradford Machila says it is disturbing and annoying to learn that the attitude of some members of staff at the hospital was forcing patients to travel long distances to Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Chirundu to seek medical treatment.

Mr. Machila, who is also Lands Minister, registered his concern during the 10th Anniversary and thanks giving prayers for the Kafue district hospital project held at the hospital premises.

Mr. Machila, who was visibly annoyed by the reports of ill-treatment of patients at the hospital, said that people find themselves at hospital not because they want to but due to illnesses.

He said it was important that patients are received properly and with decency instead of the negative reports reaching his office.

He said government will not allow such health facilities to be abused by medical staff on account of negative attitudes towards patients and work.

Mr. Machila further said it was sad that bed linens and blankets at the hospital were allegedly being stolen.

He directed the office of the district commissioner to work with law enforcement agencies so that culprits are brought to book.

Mr. Machila said it was important that the office of the district health management team addresses concerns raised by the community if the hospital is to serve its intended purpose.

He said failure by management to address the negative developments being reported by patients and community will lead to them losing confidence in its medical staff.

Speaking earlier, Kafue District Hospital Development Committee Chairman David Hodgkinson informed the minister that the community in Kafue has started resorting to taking their sick to Chirundu and Lusaka because of alleged ill-treatment of patients at the hospital by staff.

He said the development was unfortunate because Kafue district hospital is one of the few hospitals in the country that boast of sophisticated equipment and a modern theater, and has six doctors.

He said the development was worrying because the relationship between the community and hospital staff is no longer the way it was when the hospital was first commissioned.

Mr. Hodgkinson however thanked the Zambian Government, British high commissioner, JICA, the European Union, the Italian church and its people for making it possible for the hospital to have been constructed.

But Kafue District health management Team Director Dr. Mwila Lembalemba noted that it was unfortunate that these reports have not been reaching his office as they would have been addressed.

He apologized to the community saying his team will sit down together with hospital management to address the concerns the community has about operations at the hospital.

President Mwanawasa says government will not increase the meal allowances for students at the University of Zambia Great East Road Campus and at the Copperbelt University.

President Mwanawasa says government will not pay students at the two universities more than what has been budgeted for.

He was speaking to journalists at Lusaka International Airport shortly before departure for Japan where he is going to attend the Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development.

Dr. Mwanawasa pointed out that students at both institutions of higher learning are paid a reasonable amount.

He explained that students on government bursaries are getting more than what the average general worker in government gets and that students should appreciate the sacrifice of taxpayers from whose tax their allowances come.

The President however said government regrets the fact that Police officers used live bullets to disperse the demonstrating students.

Dr. Mwanawasa appealed to the students to always use peaceful ways in airing their grievances to authorities instead of rioting and thereby exposing themselves to such dangers.

He said there was no point for the students to attack and stone innocent motorists adding that his motorcade upon arrival from Mansa was also diverted from the Great East road to Kamloops road due to the unrest at the learning institution.

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa has condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Dr. Mwanawasa, who is also SADC Chairman, pointed out that the freedom of South Africa was achieved as a collective effort among South Africa and neighbouring countries.

He expressed sadness at the fact that people from various countries in the region resident in South Africa have been subjected to violent treatment even when they have permits.

He noted that there are several South Africans living and doing business in various countries in the region but they are not being harassed by any one.

Dr. Mwanawasa appealed to South Africans to reflect and think whether their behaviour is in line with the unity that is talked about and promoted in Africa.

The President, who left this afternoon at about 15:50 hours, was seen off by Vice President Rupiah Banda, Cabinet Ministers and their Deputies, Senior government and MMD officials and party cadres.

The Forum for Leadership Search has urged delegates to the National Constitution Conference to ensure that the simple majority electoral system is maintained in the country.

Forum Executive Director Edwin Lifwekelo told ZANIS today that the 50%+1 that people have been advocating for is a risky undertaking in the context of the country’s multi party politics saying using such a system would be a recipe for political anarchy.

Mr. Lifwekelo said the tribal and regional politics obtaining in the country at the moment would make it hard for any political party to attain 50%+1 majority.

He pointed out that the system is expensive because elections in Zambia are partly funded by donors and wondered how the country would raise money for a re-run if occurred.

He said the system could result into a conflict before a re-run in the event that the third political party does not accept the results and decides to petition.

Mr. Lifwekelo noted that there is need for the country to put in place legislation to prescribe standards and criteria to regulate the registration and conduct of political parties.

He explained that in 1991 Dr. Chiluba had no trouble in winning over 50%+1 in 1991 saying Zambia should not lose sight of the fact that the Movement for Multi Party Democracy and United National Independence Party were the only serious political parties at that time.

Education Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa urged students at UNZA and the Copperbelt University to understand the conditions of their bursaries, saying meal allowances are non negotiable because the current amount is what government is able to afford.

He noted that when students feel what they are getting is inadequate, their parents and guardians should supplement what government is providing.

He added that meal allowance conditions are well spelt out in the bursaries’ forms for students saying students should understand them before making any demands.

Prof Lungwangwa and Information Minister Mike Mulongoti yesterday afternoon visited the two University of Zambia (UNZA) students who were shot and wounded by Police during demonstrations at the institution yesterday.

Briefing the Press at the University Teaching Hospital, Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said government will provide the necessary support to the two students in accordance with recommendations from health authorities at UTH.

UTH authorities say the two students Chewe Chishala and Samuel Nasilele who were shot in the leg and chest respectively are in a stable condition.

On Friday students at ,UNZA, great east road campus ran amok demanding for an increase in their meal allowances.

Riot Police officers who rushed to the scene were stoned by the irate students forcing them to shoot the two students as they attempted to scare them away.

The National Constitution Conference-NCC Committees that are sitting have so far recorded a 100 percent turnout since commencement of sittings.

NCC Spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis told ZANIS that it is exciting that the three committees are exceedingly engaged in their work.

Mrs. Zaloumis noted that the Judicial, Citizenship and Public Committees were all working extremely well and in accordance to their terms of references.

She said so far the NCC Executive was exceptionally happy with the proceedings of discussions saying although the Committees have not finished, the progression is remarkable.

Mrs. Zaloumis said the Executive was closely watching the progress of the three Committees.

She however urged members of the public to take time to listen to the discussions and observed that those who attend the meetings are few and are almost the same people.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Zaloumis disclosed that the NCC Chairperson recently traveled to Eastern Province where he spoke to members of the public through community radios on how far the NCC has gone with the constitution process.

She explained that the tour by Dr. Chifumu Banda was in line with the NCC’s programme to sensitize members of public on the mandate of the NCC.

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has commenced the installation of new traffic lights in Lusaka at a cost of K1.5 billion.

Speaking in an interview, LCC Public Relations Officer Henry Kapata said works have commenced at three junctions, namely Kamloops-Alick Nkatha , Lumumba-Ben Bella and Malila-Lumumba road junctions.

Mr. Kapata said the Council has contracted Aeradeo Zambia Limited to install the light emitting diodes which have a life span of ten years with financial support from the National Road Fund Agency and the Road Development Agency.

He said works have started at Kamloops-Alick Nkata junction and are expected to be commissioned in seven days while the rest of the works at other junctions will be completed by 14th June, this year.

He added that the LCC is seriously considering Solar system as an alternative source of energy for street lights to avoid inconveniences arising from ZESCO power cuts and shortages.

Meanwhile, the LCC has called on the Road Traffic Commission to mount constant patrols in the central business area to address problems of inadequate parking space and traffic jams.

Mr. Kapata said unregistered taxis and illegal car dealers have continued to contribute to increased traffic jams and inadequate parking space especially along Cairo Road.

He appealed to the business community to partner with the local authority in securing more cramps as the council is considering stiffer punishments for careless parking through the introduction of by laws.