HIV/AIDS fight: Zambia on right track
ZAMBIA is on the right track in achieving the 90 90 90 fight against HIV by the year 2030, says UNAIDS country director, Medhin Tsehaiu.
Dr Tsehaiu has commended Government’s commitment to fast tract the HIV response with effective policies that have worked very well in reducing mother to child transmission as well as the test and treat policy that has raised awareness and increased numbers of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
She said the Government has further reaffirmed its commitment through the universal declaration of ending AIDS by 2030, the national health strategic plan 2020, the 7th National Development Plan (NDP) by an effective access of services especially to those people left behind especially children.
“I would like to commend the Government’s commitment to fast tract the AIDS response and eventually ending AIDS by 2030.
“Since the UN declaration of ending AIDS by 2030, all the national documents including the 7NDP, National AIDS Strategic Framework (NASF) 2017-2021, the National Health Strategic Plan, all these national documents have imbedded in political declaration of ending AIDS by 2030 and fast tracking the response by 2020,” she said.
She was speaking at the official opening of the 11th National HIV Technical Conference and NHRA dubbed “Fast-Tracking towards HIV Epidemic control while maintaining Quality Health Care” at Intercontinental Hotel yesterday.
She said President Lungu had continued to commit his administration’s commitment to improving access to treatment as well as increased awareness for the young people.
The UNAIDS chief explained that these efforts have raised do- nor aid towards the AIDS fight in Zambia.
And the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Zambia coordinator Lungowe Mwapela announced the allocation of US $400 million towards Zambia’s HIV epidemic control. Ms Mwapela disclosed that upto 750 000 people were currently on the PePFAR epidemic control programme as part of the 900 000 people accounted for by the Ministry of Health. She said PePFAR’s continued partnership with Zambia could lead to an epidemic control by 2020.
“PePFAR remains committed to seeing an AIDS free generation in Zambia, and since 2004 US government has contributed more than US $3billion towards the Zambian fight against HIV.
“In this coming year, we will contribute US $400million towards the National HIV/AIDS Plan, and believe that the partnership with Zambia would lead to an epidemic control by 2010,” she said.
She said with over 700,000 people accessing lifesaving drugs under ART, it was an amazing Accomplishment that has changed lifestyle with healthier people who were able to take care ad provide for their families.
And the Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya reaffirmed Government’s commitment and hailed his predecessor, late Dr Joseph Kasonde for his contribution towards the launch of the establishment of the fast-track programme aimed at reducing HIV prevalence in the country.
He commended the technical committee including the caregivers for their efforts towards the control of HIV including reduction of new infections.
The conference hosts participants from across the nation including various stakeholders and Government departments among others.