NAC urges parent-child dialogue

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) has introduced Parent-Child Communication (PCC) to enhance communication between parents and their children on HIV and AIDS issues in an endeavour to curb rampant cases of new infections among adolescents.

The programme, which is still in its infancy, comes amid concerns by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa over moral decadence among adolescents which has significantly contributed towards the surge in new HIV infections among the youths.

The First Lady recently expressed concern over moral decadence due to poor parent-child communication which has resulted in adolescents failing to get proper orientation to adulthood.

She said this was the reason why new HIV infections were recurring among youths.

NAC official Mr Shepherd Zanamwe said the programme was aimed at enhancing dialogue on issues to do with reproductive health between parents and children as an intervention strategy to reduce HIV incidences among youths.

NAC recently announced that there has been a surge in new HIV infections among the youths particularly those in tertiary institutions.

“As we are all aware, charity begins at home,” said Mr Zanamwe.

“So, PCC is aiming at ensuring that we fight HIV at household level. We realised that if parents discuss these issues at home with their children, it becomes easier for adolescents to open up and have adequate knowledge on HIV and AIDS issues.

“It enables enhanced dialogue between parents and their children and also cements their relationship. If we discuss these things at home with our children they tend to understand better.”