Zambia records decline in new HIV infections

ZAMBIA’s political will and commitment to the ¿ght against the +,9 $,'6 SanGemic has resulted in the country recording signi¿Fant GeFline in the neZ inIeFtions the 8niteG 1ations has Eeen inIoUmeG

Ministry of Health National HIV programme manager Dr Lloyd Mulenga has told the United Nations that the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia had been reduced to 46,000 in 2016 from about 77,500 infections in the year 2010. Dr Mulenga said since the beginning of the epidemic, Zambia has mounted a resolute, robust and durable multi sectoral response to the fight against the pandemic. He said the political leadership had been working tirelessly towards finding a lasting solution to eliminate HIV/AIDS, adding that President Edgar Chagwa Lungu demonstrated political will to fight the pandemic by launching the +,9 7esting, &ounselling and 7reatment campaign on the realization that an estimated 340,000 people living with HIV do not know their status. 7his is contained in a statement by )irst 6ecretary for Press at the United Nations Wallen Simwaka. Dr Mulenga said this at the United Nations in New York when he delivered Zambia’s statement at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly second annual meeting to review the implementation of the declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and Political Declaration, which was adopted in June, 2016. He said Zambia¶s efforts to eliminate +,9 A,'6 have been reinforced by ensuring that HIV remained a priority area in all of the country’s policy documents. Dr Mulenga stated that Zambia’s fast-track targets have been mainstreamed in the National Development Plan of 2017-2021 and that the targets were inclusive without leaving no one behind. He explained that the country’s Health Strategic Plan and the National AIDS Strategic Framework of 2017-2021, along with other substantial policy documents have ensured that the AIDS response is comprehensive, targeting all key populations with particular focus on adolescent girls and women. 'r Mulenga was flanked by Zambia¶s &hargp d¶ Affaires and 'eputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Christine Kalamwina. He stated that Zambia appreciated the contribution of donors such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a United States governmental initiative to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, primarily in Africa, Global )und and the (uropean 8nion in the fight against the pandemic. Dr Mulenga said a decrease of resources in the fight against the pandemic has the potential to threaten the rapid scale up and health outcome so far achieved which was why he stated that Zambia appreciated donor support in its efforts to eliminate the scourge.