Posted Dec 03, 2011
Namwala district joined the rest of the world in commemorating word aids day which falls on 1st December 2011 under the theme ‘GETTING TO ZERO NEW
HIV INFECTIONS’.
During this event the district commissioner Mr. Godwin Sanjase reminded the gathering that; more than two decades ago, member states of the united nations of which Zambia was part, made a declaration of commitment on HIV and AIDS. They committed themselves to taking action on HIV and AIDS in the areas of leadership, prevention, treatment care and support, reducing vulnerability and human rights.
Since the adoption of the above commitment by the United Nations, additional pledges have been made. These include the Millenium Development Goals, universal access by 2010, the Abuja declaration etc.
After more than two decades of HIV and AIDS, Zambia has been struggling with the heavy impact of the epidemic. However, there have been some positive gains in the control efforts. These successes include positive trends in some important indicators such as an increase in the age of sexual involvement; an increase to 68% of people in need of treatment who are accessing services and an increase to 61% in pregnant women accessing prevention of mother to child transmission services.
In Namwala district, the HIV epidemic has had its share of impact on the people. The HIV incidence rate is 20 per 1000. However, a number of interventions have been and are still being done in the areas of prevention, treatment, care and support and impact mitigation. Thanks to all the Organizations undertaking various interventions in the district.
In Namwala district, there still remains challenges to HIV response due to a number of driving forces, such as;
· Multiple concurrent partners
· Low and inconsistent condom use
· Low levels of male circumcision
· Mother to child transmission
The most at risk population include young people aged 15 to 24 years and the women. But he reassured all the people of Namwala District that the Government of Zambia led by His Excellency Michael C. Sata is committed to ensuring that everyone gets empowered with comprehensive HIV knowledge and that the necessary prevention and commodities become accessible to people who are most at risk.
He told the people that the world aids day theme for 2011 is ‘ GETTING TO ZERO.’ the theme serves to remind us that there is need to re-energize and support an effective and sustainable response to the HIV epidemic that will reduce new infections.
He Further Advised People to take Stock of the Personal, District And National Commitments Towards The Fight Against Hiv And Aids Through ZERO NEW INFECTIONS.