Zim urged to redouble efforts to reduce Aids

This year’s commemorations will be held under the theme “Getting Zero,” which entails zero new HIV infections, zero stigma and discrimination, zero Aids related deaths, supported by the campaign message “Leaders make universal access a reality.”
The National Aids Council (NAC) national communications and advocacy officer, Mr Orirando Manwere said the national World Aids Day commemorations will be held tomorrow at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, Manicaland province.

He said the commemorations give Zimbabweans the opportunity to once more reflect upon achievements, challenges and prospects for the national response to the pandemic.
“The HIV and Aids pandemic in Zimbabwe has been characterised by a continued decline in HIV prevalence from over 30 percent in the 90s to the 14,2 percent now, according to the 2009 HIV estimates,” said Mr Manwere.
“Stakeholders involved in the national multi-sectoral response to HIV and Aidsbelieve that zero new HIV infections could be achieved if the nation scales up prevention strategies.”

Mr Manwere said the prevention strategies include the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), correct and consistent use of condoms, male circumcision, reducing multiple  partnerships, abstinence among the youths, and improving access to anti-retroviral treatment for those infected by HIV.

“Stakeholders also believe that the goal could be achieved if leaders at all levels could earnestly play their part in the response to the pandemic particularly through community mobilisation for social and behaviour change programmes.

“According to the NAC 2011 Third Quarter report covering the period January to September, the country has continued to make significant progress on prevention, treatment, care and support  as well as mitigation but stakeholders have to put more efforts to achieve an HIV free generation,” said Mr Manwere.
He said NAC has continued to support the opportunistic infections and ART outreach programmes and this had contributed to the rising numbers of people receiving treatment.

NAC communications director Ms Medelina Dube said the call for leaders to make universal access a reality was not only targeted at political leaders, but  everyone in leadership positions  starting from family level.

“Leaders such as parents and guardians, institutional heads, communities, churches, the corporate sector, traditional leaders and policy makers should play their part in social and behaviour change.
“They should mobilise resources for the response, while everyone else should also play their part by ensuring they know their status and adopt safer lifestyles to ensure zero new infections, stigma and discrimination and Aids related deaths,” said Ms Dube.

In a statement the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Charles Ray said World Aids Day was an opportunity to pay tribute to more than 34 million people living with HIV worldwide and celebrate the lives saved and improved in Zimbabwe and recommit to the fight against Aids. 
He said efforts to raise the professional standards of scientific work in Zimbabwe, would put Zimbabwe in a better position to fight HIV and Aids nationwide and contribute towards a better future for all citizens. “Recent scientific breakthroughs have altered our outlook on the future of Aids. Of particular importance was a study showing that antiretroviral treatment reduces the likelihood of transmission of HIV to an uninfected partner by a remarkable percent, ” said Mr Ray.

“For the first time, with this and other tools, we have a potential path to eliminate this disease from the global landscape. By using our new knowledge, we can implement more effective programmes to provide HIV prevention, treatment, and care to millions of people worldwide,” he said.

Mr Ray said since 2000, the United States government had invested more than $245 million in Zimbabwe’s fight against HIV/Aids.
“In 2012, the USA will contribute an estimated $60 million to the national HIV/Aids response in Zimbabwe through the USA President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) including support for treatment of 80 000 people.

“Interventions to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV for approximately 40 000 women living with HIV/Aids will be included in the programme,” said Mr Ray. 
He said despite the challenging economic times, the USA remained committed to a leadership role in the global Aids response.

Last year’s World Aids Day Commemorations were held in Kadoma, Mashonaland West province.