Zim’s HIV infection rate declines: NAC

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ZIMBABWE has managed to reduce the HIV infection rate by 50% in the past few years as a result of vigorous campaigns, a senior official at a local Aids service organisation said.

ZIMBABWE has managed to reduce the HIV infection rate by 50% in the past few years as a result of vigorous campaigns, a senior official at a local Aids service organisation said.

BY DALPHINE TAGWIREYI

Speaking at a discussion forum on Zimbabwe HIV Global Report Processes, a National Aids Council (NAC) official, Amon Mpofu said the country had also managed to supply Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to about 80% of the people living with HIV and Aids.

“Zimbabwe has managed to eliminate new infections by more than 50% and hence we have realised that [the] prevalence is stabilising. many lives are being saved,” he said.

Zimbabwe is one of the countries mostly affected by HIV and Aids, as the statistics showed that an estimated 1 168 263 people were living with the disease.

The 2011 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and Aids, came out with 10 targets to eradicate the disease.

Some of the targets include the reduction of sexual transmission of HIV by 50% by 2015, cutting down HIV transmission among people who inject drugs by the same percentage and reach out to 15 million people with ARVs by 2015.

The targets also include eliminating stigma and discrimination against people living with and affected by HIV through the promotion of laws and policies that ensure the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

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