Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:31:36 +0000
By Kelvin Siabana
NDOLA has about 54,292 adults on Anti-retroviral treatment (ART), says district public health specialist Dr. Chikafuna Banda
Dr Banda said out of 7,938 expectant mothers tested for HIV, over 1,000 were found to be positive with 634 placed on treatment.
Speaking during the commemoration of National HIV Counselling, Testing and treatment Day, Dr Banda said that 45,413 people were tested between January and June 2017 out of which 4,992 tested positive and 3,967 were quickly placed on Anti-retroviral treatment (ART).
Dr Banda said with the aid and support from Government and its cooperating partners, the health district office had managed to place over 50,000 people on treatment with children numbering 3,484.
“This is far below the number of people who are supposed to access the lifesaving drugs targeted at 90 percent,
“Community sensitisation and provision of HIV counselling, testing and treatment services at different points have improved the coverage of clients seeking treatment. The district health has recorded success in the HIV counselling and testing,” he said.
Dr Banda said the use of HIV counselling, testing and treatment was an entry point the district was managing to provide health services to a good number of HIV patients.
And Copperbelt deputy permanent secretary Joyce Nsamba said Government was committed to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG) and implementing the fast track strategy which is ending AIDS by 2030.
Ms. Nsamba said effective treatment could lead to the end of AIDS through accelerated response.
She bemoaned that infection rates in the province still remained unacceptably high and scaling of services in underserved areas remained a challenge in accessing services.
Ms Nsamba said that social economic impact of the epidemic among women, girls and physically challenged persons remained a big problem.
She said the theme for this year’s commemoration called for a re –energised and support effective and sustainable response to the HIV pandemic.
“Since the drivers for the epidemic have been identified, we need to ensure that resources available are systematically and effectively deployed,
“I urge communities to drive the prevention efforts in all areas as the government is committed to not only use public health but also coordinated multi sectoral approach,” Ms Nsamba said.
Ms Nsamba called on implementing partners and players to put in place rigorous measures to ensure quality and timely data was collected and communicated to policy makers.
