Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has disclosed that the country’s HIV prevalence among adults aged between 15 and 49 is at 11.6 percent, while HIV prevalence among children from 0 to 14 is at 1.3 percent.
This is according to the Zambia Population-Based HIV impact Assessment government undertook to measure the status of Zambia’s national HIV response.
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya disclosed during the commemoration of World AIDS Day in Lusaka today that about 85 percent among adults aged between 15 and 59 of all the people tested and who know their status is receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) out of which 89 percent are virally suppressed.
He also disclosed that approximately forty six thousand new cases of HIV occur every year.
Dr. Chilufya says more effort is needed in the HIV prevention to stay in line with the global commitment of ending AIDS as an epidemic by 2030.
Speaking at the same event, US Embassy Deputy Charge’d’ Affaires Christopher Kraft has called on the Zambian government to increase its contribution to the health sector and HIV in particular.
Mr. Kraft says no donor funding can last forever, therefore it is crucial for Zambia to continue scale-up its role so that progress is not lost in the long term.
And Speaking earlier, UNAIDS Country Director, Meldhin Tsehaiu says there is need to stop new HIV infections from occurring and end the HIV epidemic by 2030 in order to achieve the UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 target for HIV control.
Meanwhile National Aids Council (NAC) Chairperson Dr. George Tembo says there is need for government to find lasting solutions on how the country can prevent new infections.
Today, Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World AIDS Day under the theme: “hands up for HIV prevention”.