adminAs we commemorate the World Aids Day, each and every Zimbabwean should take the opportunity to reflect on the journey that we have travelled as a nation in the fight against this pandemic which continues to claim thousands of lives every year. This is a day for introspection as we assess our achievements, failures, shortcomings and challenges with a view to mapping the way forward.
Each and every Zimbabwean has either been infected or affected by HIV and Aids so everybody has a role to play. What is comforting is that there are concerted efforts from all stakeholders to stop the spread of HIV and Aids and the ultimate goal is to create an Aids-free generation. Zimbabwe has recorded many positives in the fight against HIV and Aids and the challenge is to consolidate and improve on these achievements.
The country has managed to significantly reduce HIV prevalence rate from 26,5 percent in 1997 to 14,3 percent in 2009 among adults aged between 15 and 49 and also reduced the HIV sero-prevalence among pregnant women from 20,1 percent in 2005 to 16,1 percent by end of 2009. The Government and its partners who are mainly non-governmental organisations have embarked on a number of programmes aimed at raising HIV and Aids awareness among communities.
We can boastfully say Zimbabweans, including those from the very remote areas, are aware of the pandemic. The awareness programmes are being run parallel with projects meant to improve access to treatment for those infected as well as testing and counselling for HIV. The Government through the National Aids Council (NAC) is mobilising resources to provide drugs such as anti-retrovirals and is again being complemented by NGOs that are also providing the drugs.
In some areas NGOs are running clinics where the infected are not just given anti-retrovirals but also food because it is important for those under treatment to eat a balanced diet. However, the major challenge facing the nation is that of behaviour change and stigma. Many people are still reluctant to go for HIV testing and counselling because of the negative perception of the Aids pandemic.
Those infected by HIV are treated as outcasts by society hence many people are afraid to go public regarding their status. We have said it before that it is time Aids is treated like any other disease that can affect the young, the old and even the unborn child. We have already stated that each and every Zimbabwean has been either infected or affected by Aids but what is surprising is that people continue to indulge in unprotected or unsafe sex.
Individuals continue to have multiple sex partners and an increasing number of girls are turning to prostitution. Today as we observe World Aids Day we must consider seriously proposals such as the door-to-door HIV testing because it is only after one knows his or her status that measures can be taken to stop the spread of the disease as well as prolong life through treatment. We want to once again remind Zimbabweans that it should be every citizen’s responsibility to stop the spread of HIV if we are to create an Aids free generation.
Online Reporter