By IRVIN MUYUMBWA
GOVERNMENT has expressed concern over the 51, 000 new HIV infections recorded in 2020 alone.
Health Minister Sylvia Masebo disclosed this yesterday during the commemoration of World Aids Day in Lusaka’s Matero Township under the theme: “End Inequalities, End Aids, End Pandemics.”
Ms. Masebo said the country cannot afford to have an increasing number of new HIV infections and therefore, Government will review existing policies and strategies on HIV/AIDS to determine their effectiveness for desired health outcomes.
Ms. Masebo also said the new dawn government will fast track initiatives that address inequalities to end HIV by 2030 as they drive HIV epidemic and therefore should be fought with the right policies, strategies and legislation.
Ms Masebo also said the government is committed to provide resources for HIV response through the procurement of medication and overall strengthened health sector systems.
Meanwhile, Ms Masebo said the advent of Covid-19 has disrupted efforts to end HIV by 2030 target but the government remains focused to have a united, prosperous and equitable Zambia that is free of public health threats.
She said the government remains committed to ending the Covid-19 pandemic to safeguard livelihoods and restore economic growth hence a strategic and firm grip through the securing of adequate doses for covid.
And speaking at the same event, Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata said the prevalence rate of HIV in the province now stands at 15.1 percent but her administration is committed to end HIV by 2030.
Ms Mulyata noted that the current barriers for the population to access HIV services remains stigma and discrimination on people living with HIV and which as a result leads to inequitable distribution of service
Meanwhile, UNAIDS acting Country Director Dr Tharcisse Barihuta has commended Zambia for making tremendous progress by meeting the 90/90/90 target last year and also recording a reduction in mother to child transmission.
Dr Barihuta however said Zambia is one of the region’s hardest hit with the 1.5 million population being HIV positive and called for need to move fast with concrete action to address inequalities to combat HIV.
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