Government says Western province has made tremendous strides in attaining the 95-95-95 treatment targets.
Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa says as of September 2024, 98 percent of people who have tested positive for HIV/AIDS were on life saving treatment in the region.
However, Mr. Akapelwa says more needed to be done to sustain the gains as only 89 percent had their viral load suppressed.
He said this during the commemoration of the 2024 World AIDS Day under the theme, “Take the rights path” held at Mandanga market in Mongu district.
“Sadly, we are seeing an increase in new HIV infections among young girls. 48 percent of the new infections are among young people aged between 15 and 24 years of whom 64 percent are young girls. The rise in the number of adolescents accessing antenatal services is a clear evidence of early sex debut and unprotected sex.
“This year alone, more than 30 percent of all pregnancies recorded at health facilities are among young girls, a situation which requires immediate response by all stakeholders,” Mr Akapelwa said.
And Mr. Akapelewa has advised the church to desist from discouraging their respective congregations from taking ART treatment.
Mr. Akapelwa said it is important that the Church should instead encourage their congregations to continue taking life saving drugs such as antiretroviral drugs being provided freely at all health facilities in Western province.
Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa said this during the commemoration of the 2024 World AIDS Day under the theme, “Take the rights path” held at Mandanga market in Mongu district.
“You the clergy, please stop telling people in you church services especially those on antiretroviral drugs to stop taking the life saving drugs, no you are killing people. Some of preachers are on ART but why insist on telling people to stop.
“I am cognizant that World AIDS Day and International Day of Persons with Disabilities fall within the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Meanwhile, Western Province Health Director, Loveday Mwila disclosed that an estimated number of 104 thousand people were living with HIV in the province.
Dr. Mwila notec that some of the HIV key drivers include mother to child transmission, low and inconsistent condom use, low levels of voluntary medical male circumcision, alcohol and substance abuse and population mobility, among others.
“The challenges here in Western province are compounded by the region’s remoteness and limited health care infrastructure. For many, accessing medical facilities requires long journeys, often on foot or by bicycles across difficult terrains,” Dr Mwila said.
The Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) Mongu Chapter District Coordinator, Eugene Nyambe has called on the people living with HIV to disclose their HIV status to their sexual partners and spouses, trusted family members and work associates, for increased psychosocial and material support.
