Aids levy collections top US$20 million

2010, is also a reflection of the improving socio-economic environment.
Levies collections continue to increase since dollarisation and NAC describing the latest collection as a “remarkable” achievement.
“I want to applaud the law-abiding citizens and corporates who paid their individual and corporate taxes on time for this remarkable achievement,” reads part of Reverend Murombedzi Kuchera’s statement.
Rev Kuchera was the NAC board chairman in 2010 before renowned educationist Mr David Mutambara took over.
HIV and Aids care and treatment programmes received 50 percent of collected levies followed by programme logistics and support which received 29 percent of the money.
Prevention programmes got 10 percent of the money.
According to audited accounts for the period ending December 2010, the income accrued was US$39,9 million, up from US$21,3 the previous year.
Of the US$39,9 million, US$20,5 million came from the Aids levy while US$18,7 million was from the donor community.
However, the majority of people on antiretroviral drugs were supported by the donor community.
According to the report, 76 percent of the 347 172 people on treatment are supported by donor funding.
The Global Fund to fight Aids, TB and Malaria is supporting 35 percent of the people, United States Government 18 percent and the Expanded Support Programme led by the Department of International Development (DFID) 22 percent.
Sadly, only 24 percent of people on ART are supported under the Aids levy.
Because of the change of treatment guidelines by World Health Organisation, the number of people needing ARVs increased to 593 168.
The new guidelines require patients with a CD4 count of 350 to be initiated on ART as compared to the previous CD4 count of 200 used.
NAC failed to present audited financial statement for the financial year ending December 2009 due to the effects of severe hyperinflation.