STATE MADE BOLD DECISION ON MANDATORY HIV TESTING – N/WEST MINISTER
GOVERNMENT’S policy to change from voluntary HIV counselling (VCT) to mandatorty HIV testing and treatment was a bold decision, North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu has observed.
Mr Mubukwanu says this is aimed at increasing the number of people living with HIV who know their status and increasing the number of people who are enrolled on life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).
Mr Mubukwanu was speaking at this year’s forum on HIV/ AIDS in Solwezi yesterday.
“We therefore need to place the family at the centre of action and concentrate on health interventions at that level,’’ Mr Mubukwanu said.
He said the government has institutionalised family tailored interventions in health provision through the introduction of comprehensive sex education at secondary school level.
Mr Mubukwanu said the need to step up the interventions cannot be over-emphasised given the scenario.
“Of particular interest to my government is the age group of young people between 15 and 35 years in which category there is a rise of HIV infections which is attributed to poor adherence to treatment,’’ he said.
He said to this effect, Government has embarked on a robust programme of health infrastructure development to increase citizens’ access to health services.
“For example, there were over 2, 920 health facilities countrywide by close of 2017 providing HIV testing and counselling services and the number of ART sites had increased from 509 in 2011 to over 870 in 2016,’’ he added.