UN conference seeks to end Aids in children by 2030
VICE President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, is this week set to headline Zimbabwe’s participation at the political launch of the Global Alliance to end AIDS in children by 2030 being hosted by the UNAIDS, UNICEF and their partners here.
The launch comes at a time when United Nations agencies have commended Zimbabwe for it’s affirmation of commitment as a Global Alliance partner country in the fight against HIV/AIDS and with Government having doubled up efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Although Zimbabwe has made major strides in HIV/AIDS, the Government is particularly concerned that up to 27 percent of HIV positive children are not on anti-retrovial therapy compared to just six percent positive adults who are yet to embrace treatment.
Zimbabwe’s mission to Tanzania confirmed VP Chiwenga’s scheduled participation at the UNAIDS conference, adding that he was also set to meet his counterpart, Tanzanian Vice President Dr Philip Mpango, where the two will discuss economic cooperation modalities.
“The mission is ready to welcome the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga to the political launch of the global alliance to end AIDS in children by 2030,” said Dr Rangarirai Chikwizo, the head of Chancery Embassy of Zimbabwe in Tanzania.
“The mission is excited that Zimbabwe is part of the global cause to eradicate AIDS in children who are the future drivers of our economies for posterity.
“During the visit, the Vice President is expected to meet with his counterpart Dr Mpango in Dar es Salaam on the sidelines of the meeting.”
In 2020, 94 percent of adults living with HIV were on Antiretroviral Treatment compared to 73 percent of children living with HIV, also Zimbabwe has achieved the 95 95 95 targets well ahead of the 2025 target, with new infections dropping from 31 600 in 2018 to 22 800 in 2021.
This year again, as set out by President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe will use the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in 2023 (ICASA 2023) to sharpen and re-invigorate national responses to HIV/AIDS, which will be held in Zimbabwe.
In terms of economic interchange, Dr Chikwizo said Tanzania had a huge market for horticulture, construction, mining, dairy farming and was also a huge tourist source market.
These were some of the opportunities the VP will be looking out for, she said.
Experts will meet today and the political leadership will join the meeting tomorrow, where Zimbabwe is expected to be led by Dr Chiwenga.
“The two countries (Zimbabwe and Tanzania) enjoy very excellent relations dating back to Zimbabwe’s fight for independence, in the interim the two countries are also collaborating in economic development,” said Dr Chikwizo.
“Tanzania presents huge potential for Zimbabwean investors in areas such as construction, horticulture, hotelier, mining expertise, dairy and education.
“In line with the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy thrust, the mission is working on a meeting between the Vice President and some of the potential investors.”