adminH-Metro Reporter
THE National Aids Council (NAC) has intensified the fight against cervical cancer as part of its broader efforts to contain new HIV infections and end AIDS by 2030.
NAC chief executive, Bernard Madzima, said the target was to raise about US$100 000 from the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union Stroke Play Golf Tournament held recently in Harare.
“The response was overwhelming. We are very happy that our corporate partners responded positively by donating generously.”
He said annual cancer cases were worrying.
“Evidence has shown that of the 7 000 new annual cancer cases, 18 percent are cervical and that women living with HIV are 10 times more likely to develop cervical cancer.
“The number of new cervical cancer infections has been rising from an estimated 1 500 in 2017 to over 2 500 in 2021, with accompanying deaths also rising, from 1 400 in 2017 to 2 000 in 2021.”
Madzima said the new infections and deaths have been rising despite the fact that cervical cancer is preventable and curable through early detection and treatment.
“Given these worrying statistics, the National Aids Council decided to integrate cancer within our response architecture and have over the years invested significant resources towards screening equipment, training, awareness campaigns and medications.
“We have taken advantage of our ubiquitous structures, which exist at sub-national levels to launch massive HIV-cancer awareness campaigns.
“On the strength of these structures and multi-sectoral partnerships, we have been able to roll back the HIV epidemic, animated by achievement of the 90-90-90 targets wherein the incidence has declined from 2 percent in 1999 to 0.24 percent in 2020.
“HIV prevalence has declined from over 25 percent to 11.58 percent during the same period.
“We have expanded antiretroviral coverage from a mere 4 000 people in 2004 to over 1.2 million in 2021,” said Madzima.
Online Reporter