Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day on December 1, 2022.
The commemorations were held at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President and Health and Child Care Minister Dr Constantine Chiwenga, Minister of State and Devolution for Mashonaland East Apolonia Munzverengi said inasmuch as the COVID-19 pandemic stalled the HIV response, the country managed to initiate 100 000 new persons on ART.
“Despite the earlier COVID-19 related disruptions, which had threatened to reverse treatment outcomes, I am glad that Zimbabwe’s treatment programme has regained its composure and added nearly 100 000 new people in 2022, who are now part of the 1,2 million receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy,” the VP-Health Minister said.
He also noted achievements the country has made in reducing the HIV prevalence.
“After having achieved the 90-90-90 by 2020, I would like to report that Zimbabwe has already achieved the 95-95-95 targets well ahead of the 2025 target date. HIV prevalence, at 11.58% in 2021 has hovered around 12 % for more than five years now, which is a seal of approval of the effectiveness of our treatment and prevention programmes.
“At the same time the number of people newly infected with HIV has declined to 22,800 in 2021 from 26,900 in 2019, while that of people accessing treatment has risen from 88.45% in 2019 to 92.43% of people living with HIV in 2021. I am also glad that the number of people dying due to AIDS has dropped to 20,200 in 2021 from 22,500 in 2020. This recovery following COVID-19 disruptions speaks of the elasticity and resilience of the country’s response to HIV and our potential to achieve epidemic control,” he said.
Representing UN Zimbabwe Resident Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon, UNAIDS Zimbabwe Country Representative Dr Sophia Monico Mukasa said there was need to look into initiating more children on ART.
“First, address the starkest inequalities impeding access to treatment for children and adults. Only half of children living HIV are on life-saving treatment, far behind adults where three quarters are receiving antiretrovirals. I am glad to note that Zimbabwe has joined the The Global Alliance to end AIDS in children which is a strategic Initiative to end AIDS in children by 2030.
“Second, tackling the dangerous inequality is gender norms. Right now, around the world, an adolescent girl or young woman acquires HIV every two minutes. The focus of the HIV response is on women and children who are often viewed as victims,” he said.
National AIDS Council (NAC) chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Bernard Madzima said the commemorations were held under the theme Equalise.
“The 1st of December has become engraved on the calendar of the national response as we remember those who died of AIDS and recommit ourselves to scaling up HIV prevention and treatment interventions in an environment of increased community participation and ownership.
“Our theme this year is Equalise, which is a call to action to address inequalities in access and utilization of HIV and AIDS services largely by most at risk and left-out groups. While the response has generally expanded and achieved good overall coverage, there are various communities that are left on account of policies and practices that ignore, stigmatise and shun them. Without the relevant inclusion and equalization of access to services and their utilization, achievement of epidemic control will be held back. The theme therefore makes a call unto us to address the attendant inequalities and establish an enabling environment for provision and utilization of quality HIV services,” he said.
