Covid-19 affecting people living with HIV
THE provincial administration in Western Province says people living with HIV have also been affected with Covid-19 as access to health services has been compromised.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Henry Mwalye says the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS has been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Mwalye said this at Community Hall grounds in Mongu when he officiated at the joint commemoration of this year’s World Aids Day and the Covid-19 vaccination campaign drive launch and the theme for the World Aids Day is ‘End inequalities, End Aids, End Pandemic’.
Mr. Mwalye said Covid-19 has undermined and reversed the tremendous gains that have been made at a huge cost in the national HIV response.
He said in this vain the government is implementing differentiated service models that allow people living with HIV to access their drugs through a community initiative and multiple month drug dispensation of ARVs than clients going to health facilities.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwalye also said 35, 635 eligible people thus seven percent of those aged18 and above in the province have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Mr. Mwalye appealed to the community to take advantage of the vaccination exercise and get vaccinated in the service that will be available in all health facilities and various community mobile sites.
He directed all District Commissioners, the local authority and District Health Directors to work with traditional leaders, the church and other stakeholders in ensuring that the Covid-19 vaccination campaigns are implemented in their localities.
At the same event, Mongu District Commissioner Morgan Imasiku Akabeswa led by example by getting vaccinated against the Covid-19 pandemic and some residents followed suit. - ZANIS