HIV INFECTION STILL ON INCREASE AS WOMEN TOPS - MoH

THE country has made progress towards the ambitious target of 95 percent of people knowing their status, 95 percent receiving treatment and 95 percent on treatment having their viral load suppressed, the Ministry of

Health has revealed.

Ministry of Health promotions director Dr. Kalangwa Kalangwa has disclosed that about 90 percent of people in Zambia know their HIV status and the progress towards the 95 percent target stands at 90 percent.

Dr Kalangwa said the country has however achieved 98 percent of its 95 percent target of the people who know their HIV status and are on treatment.

He estimated that about 1.4 million people are living with HIV in Zambia and 60 percent of people living with HIV are women.

Dr. Kalangwa disclosed this at the media science cafe meeting on HIV prevention and treatment in Zambia where the country is and what the future looks like.

He appealed to stakeholders to work with the community and the church to sensitise the people and how best they can to prevent the spread of HIV by using protection.

He observed that despite the progress made by the ministry and other partners, the pandemic still remains high and disproportionately affects females.

“In 2019, it was estimated that there were 26, 000 new HIV infections among women and teenage aged 15 to 24 compared to 19, 000 among male counterparts, but this year the situation still remains the same and that about 1.4 million people living with HIV in Zambia 60 percent are women, therefore there is need for every stakeholder to work with government in sensitising the public,” said Dr Kalangwa.