HIV/Aids deaths drop

Paidamoyo Chipunza Harare Bureau—
The number of people dying from HIV and Aids has significantly dropped from a high of 170,000 in 2003 to about 60,000 last year, a development attributed to government programmes in administering anti-retroviral therapy. The numbers include both adults and children.

According to a preliminary report of the 2013 HIV estimates presented to various Aids organisations in Harare yesterday, the number of adults who died in 2013 has gone down from 50,230 in 2012 to 49,605 in 2013.

The number of deaths among children between 0 and 14 years has also gone down from about 36,000 (2003 statistics) to 10,795 in 2013.

About 12,004 child deaths were recorded in 2012.

Presenting the 2013 preliminary report, Ministry of Health and Child Care strategic information coordinator for the Aids and TB Unit Dr Mutsa Mhangara said the number of people living with HIV seem to have stabilised and stands at 14,4 percent.
Last year, the prevalence rate was 14,5 percent.

Dr Mhangara said the number of people getting infected has also decreased from 1,18 percent in 2012 to 1,05 percent in 2013.
“Although this is a preliminary report, indications are that the number of people living with HIV and Aids in the country is stabilising as many people living with the virus are now surviving longer, while the number of people getting infected continues to drop,” he said.

Dr Mhangara attributed the decreases to various efforts being implemented, which include a successful anti-retroviral programme for both adults and children.

He said although the figures were yet to be validated, indications were that the country was doing well in terms of response to HIV.
“These figures are an indication that we are on track in achieving some of our HIV targets even though they still have to undergo validation,” said Dr Mhangara.

He expressed concern over the rising cases of sexually transmitted diseases, saying they might threaten the gains the country has made so far in the fight against HIV and Aids.

Instead of producing the estimates after every two years, government was now coming up with the reports on an annual basis to effectively monitor progress ahead of the 2015 global targets.

Dr Mhangara said the final report of the HIV estimates is expected early next month after submission to the United Nations.