1.2 million people live with HIV in Zambia

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya has disclosed that about 1.2 million people are living with HIV in Zambia as at the end of 2016.

Dr Chilufya told Parliament in a ministerial statement yesterday that Lusaka and Western Provinces have the highest HIV prevalence rates of 16.1 percent and 16 percent respectively.

Dr Chitalu says Muchinga and North Western provinces had the least prevalence rates of 5. 9 and 6.9 percent as of 2016 statistics.

He says more than 3, 300, 000 people accessed HIV counseling and testing services against the annual target of 4,116, 679 by the end of the 2016.

Dr. Chilufya adds that HIV testing has improved since 2007 when only 19 percent of women and 12 percent of men had been tested and received their results within 12 months.

Dr. Chilufya has further disclosed that more than 200, 000 males were circumcised against the annual target of 72, 084 representing 22 percent.