MATEBELELAND North Province is making great strides in the fight against HIV and Aids as evidenced by a sharp decline in new infections with statistics showing that the number of people who contracted the virus went down from 2 415 in 2017 to 1 554 in 2021.
The HIV prevalence rate for the province stands at 14,3 percent while the incidence rate is at 0,23 percent. The adult antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in the province has also significantly improved and at the moment stands at 99 percent, while that for children is at 76 percent.
As Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day on December 1, Matabeleland North held its belated commemorations at Dimpamiwa Primary School in Nkayi District on Tuesday.
World Aids Day is marked every year globally as part of efforts by the World Health Organisation to raise awareness on the pandemic.
This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme: “Equalise.”
World Aids Day was first commemorated in 1988 to create awareness about the pandemic and to remember those who died as well as those who are affected.
Speaking during the commemorations, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo commended the province for making good progress in the fight against HIV and Aids
He noted that despite the outbreak of Covid-19, which affected the gains in the fight against HIV and Aids, the province is continuing to do well.
“Despite the earlier Covid-19 related disruptions which had threatened to reverse treatment outcomes, I am glad that Matabeleland North Province treatment programme is doing well as evidenced by 1 554 people who were initiated on ART in 2022,” he said.
“After having achieved the 90/90/90 in 2020, I would like to report that the province is on track to achieve the 95/95/95 target well ahead of the 2025 target date.”
Minister Moyo said the HIV prevalence and the incidence rates are an indicator of the effectiveness of the treatment and prevention programmes being undertaken in the province.
He said both infection and HIV-related deaths in the province are also on a downward trajectory.
“The number of people newly infected by HIV has declined to 1 554 in 2021 from 2 415 in 2017. I am also glad that the number of people dying due to Aids related illnesses has dropped to 1 212 in 2021 from 1 420 in 2027,” said Minister Moyo.
“This recovery following Covid-19 disruptions speak of the elasticity and resilience of the country’s response to HIV and our potential to achieve epidemic control.”
Minister Moyo said there is a need to address challenges which are preventing the province from making further gains.
He called for improved access to services and utilisation by those at high risk including vulnerable groups like sex workers, adolescent girls, young women and prisoners.
Nkayi District medical officer, Dr Heron Dube said the province has registered good ART coverage among adults although the uptake in children is below the target.
“The adult ART coverage in the province has significantly improved and currently stands at 99 percent while that for children stands at 76 percent. There is a need to scale up on paediatric ART so as to achieve the 95 percent target,” he said.
“I, therefore, call upon investment of more resources towards HIV testing, ART initiation and adherence monitoring for children.”
Dr Dube said the province is confronted with a myriad of HIV-related challenges, which include drug and substance abuse, multiple concurrent partnerships and high school drop-outs.
He said they have come up with a number of strategies working with their partners to try and address the challenges in all seven districts in the province.
Dr Dube said the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls corridor, mining areas, growth points and farming areas remain hotspots for sexually transmitted infections in the province.
The National Aids Council (NAC) Matabeleland North provincial manager Mr Dingani Ncube urged communities to keep up the fight against HIV.
“As we commemorate this major event let us be reminded that HIV is still with us hence the need to continue sensitising and creating awareness among all communities so as to end Aids by 2030,”he said.
Chief Sikhobokhobo hailed the Government for the work it has done in the fight against HIV which has seen remarkable progress. He urged members of the public to go for HIV testing and know their status.
“The efforts by the Government have helped in terms saving lives, but we need more people to go for testing so that by 2030 we are able achieve the target to end HIV.
“The virus is still real and we need to work with the National Aids Council to test more people in the province so that we win the war against the disease,” he said. – The Chronicle
