Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:07:34 +0000
By VIOLET TEMBO
COPPERBELT province has recorded 4,735 new HIV infections.
Provincial Permanent Secretary (PS) Bright Nundwe has described the figures as alarming.
Mr.Nundwe said it was important for residents to take personal responsibility because the cure had not yet been discovered.
He stated that infections incidences could only be reduced once society changed mind set and adjusted their behaviour towards alcohol as well as drug abuse.
However, he mentioned that in a quest to combat the spread of the disease and adhere to presidential pronouncements for routine testing, the province had tested 68.40% percent residents of all age groups.
He added that 57.40 % percent had been attained in terms of viral suppression on those on Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART).
“Wise counsel to residents is that, those married must be faithful to their partners and be content. We do not want to see people move from one pair of thighs to another, AIDS is real!
“These incidences are huge and the starting point is one knowing their HIV status, then make a decision to adjust behaviour.
I have tested for HIV and results are in the public domain. I do not want to ran a province known for disease epidemics or house a crop of people that drink beer carelessly. I want to run a smart province,” he said.
Mr. Nundwe said the province had recorded an upward trend in people testing for HIV following the introduction of routine testing, counselling and treatment.
He said 2.0 % percent positive among children less than 5 years had since been recorded.
Mr.Nundwe has disclosed that the province was to implement the HIV surge programme this year with partner support in order to accelerate the attainment of UNIAIDS and world health organization targets.
He also expressed worry on the increase in the number of non communicable diseases such hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
He stressed on the urgent need to continue promoting healthy lifestyle.
He also mentioned that the province had recorded high number of maternal deaths with 94 recorded between January and December 2017.
He stated that there was need to aggressively address the problem to ensure that no mother died while giving birth.
He has since implored provincial health office to ensure that all health facilities had adequate equipment and competent staff.
