Zambia records 1.6 pc reduction in HIV prevalence

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:20:38 +0000

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

THE country has recorded progress in the reduction of HIV prevalence to 11.6 percent among people between the ages of 15 and 49, and Government is determined to reduce the HIV prevalence rate even further, says Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya.

Dr. Chilufya said that the Government was committed to reducing HIV prevalence further through strengthened health systems and the expanding of access to primary health care services.

Speaking in Washington DC ahead of the 2017 annual Presidents Emergency Program for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) management meeting, the minister observed that the country had seen a significant reduction of HIV prevalence due to several interventions including test and treat program and the elimination of mother to child transmission.

In a statement by Zambia’s first secretary for press and public relations Patricia Littiya to the Daily Nation yesterday, she said that the minister’s engagement would include review the country’s strategy and agree on priorities for the 2017 country work plan.

“Zambia has recorded progress in the reduction of HIV prevalence to 11.6 percent among people between the ages of 15 and 49.

“Government is committed to reducing HIV prevalence further through strengthened health systems and expanding access to primary health care services,” Dr. Chilufya said.

Dr. Chilufya, who is Patriotic Front Mansa Central Member of Parliament, said that the Government had been committed to reducing HIV, hence it had increased the budget allocation for ARVS from $4 million in 2011 to $44 million last year.

He said that his ministry was determined to upscale its commitment to fighting HIV through increased resources and strengthened surveillance systems in communities.

The minister noted that with the onsite test and treat would see the number of people on ARVS increase from 900,000 to more than a million.

The minister was accompanied to the meeting by Ministry of Health Clinical Care Specialist and HIV Program Manager Dr Chrispin Moyo.

PEPFAR is the largest donor aid to the HIV/AIDS program in Zambia.