Over 1,1 million people on ART in Zim

EDITOR - ON December 1, 2018, Zimbabwe and the world at large marked 30 years of HIV and Aids activism and solidarity under the banner of World Aids Day.

World Aids Day is a day commemorated internationally to remember the millions of people who have lost their lives to Aids-related illnesses, many of whom died because they could not access HIV services due to stigma, discrimination and the criminalisation of key populations.

After 30 years, progress to close the tap on HIV is visible as people living with the virus are living longer and productive lives. Massive progress has been made in diagnosis and treatment, and prevention efforts have avoided millions of new infections including through mother-to-child transmission.

In Zimbabwe, much progress has been achieved in providing treatment to over 1.1 million people living with HIV. In addition, the prevalence of HIV has decreased from close to 30 percent 10 years ago to just under 14 percent as of 2017, while new HIV infections have been reduced by over 45 percent in the last five years. The new infection rates, albeit on the decline, are still far too high. Behind every data point is an individual and a family and a community that suffers, that hopes and prays, that deals with death and celebrates life. The UN in Zimbabwe commends the Government of Zimbabwe in leading the country towards ending Aids as a public health threat by 2030. This is an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals — the SDGs. Bishow Parajuli -The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Zimbabwe.