Govt urges coordinated response in HIV fight

Government has called for an accelerated, coordinated and scaled-up response in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic among adolescents in the country.

General Education Minister Dr. John Phiri says the success of this response would depend on developing strategic partnerships with actors such as civil society, faith-based organizations, law and policymakers and especially persons living with HIV and key affected populations.

Dr. Phiri notes that the East and Southern Africa (ESA) commitment is a forward-looking way of enhancing collaboration and ensuring sustained financing for HIV interventions.

In a speech read on his behalf by General Education Permanent Secretary Chishimba Nkosha during a media Breakfast on the ESA commitment High Level Meeting in Lusaka today, Dr. Phiri says government is committed to reaching its adolescents in every way possible, to ensure that no one is left behind, and to reverse the negative trends of infection and death among adolescents and others.

Dr. Phiri states that unless swift action is taken to educate the young people, Zambia risks losing the battle against HIV/AIDS.

And Speaking earlier, UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Medhin Tsehaiu says young people should be supported to delay sexual debut until they choose to be sexually active and ensure that it is voluntary and protected.

Dr. Tsehaiu notes that comprehensive sexual education including education on safer sex and condom use does not lead to early sexual initiation, but help to delay initiation and frequency of sexual activity.

She states that quality sexuality education could reduce the number of sexual partners, increase the use of condoms and contraception as well as sexual risk taking.

Speaking at the same event, UNFPA country representative Dr. Mary Otieno has praised government’s effort to secure the future potential of adolescents and young people and ensure access to life skills-based HIV and Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

She has also reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to sustain its collaborations with government and partners, in scaling up interventions related to the ESA commitment targets.