Zambia to get US$385m towards HIV/AIDS fight

ZAMBIA is to receive US$385 million towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, says Global Health Diplomacy Ambassador Deborah Birx

Ambassador Birx announced this at the just ended President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) regional meeting held in Johannesburg South Africa.

Ambassador Birx further said that Zambia was going to receive extra funding specifically for the fight against cervical cancer and screening in HIV positive women.

And speaking at the same meeting, Minister of health Dr Chitalu Chilufya said Zambia was going escalate interventions in priority population to achieve epidemic control of HIV/AIDS by 2020 and reduce new HIV infections from 46,000 in 2016 to less than 5,000 in 2021.

He said Zambia had crafted community health interventions through the implementation of the community health strategy as well as revitalising of the neighborhood health committees.

“Community sensitiasation using faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, and schools colleges and youth friendly corners coupled with strengthened work place policies will be key in ensuring reduction of new HIV infections in the priority population,” he said.

He further said that Zambia had achieved in strengthening health care systems and that it had led to an increase in HIV testing in 2017 among children and adults by 104 percent and 80 percent respectively in comparison to the performance of 2016.

“Currently, provincial hospitals have extended hours for pharmacy and laboratory departments to enable access to HIV services for those who are not able to do so during the day,” he said.