3.1 million Zambians test for hiv in 2018 so far

Vice President Inonge Wina (Picture by Albert Mpezeni)

A total of 3.1 million people tested for HIV in the first and second quarters of 2018 representing a 20 percent increase from the 2.5 million people that tested during the same period in 2017.

But Republican Vice President Inonge Wina says government is concerned that despite the figures recorded, people are still reluctant to know their HIV status.

Speaking when she officiated at the second national HIV testing, Counselling and Treatment day  at Chawama primary school grounds in Lusaka, Mrs. Wina disclosed that a 4 percent increase has been recorded in the number of people on antiretroviral treatment.

She says there is need for stakeholders to target their efforts appropriately in order to ensure efficient utilization of available resources and ensuring that those resources reach mothers and children who bear the burden of the epidemic.

And the vice president has launched the HIV self testing framework aimed at helping address the low coverage of HIV testing services among men, adolescents, key populations and other hard to reach groups.

Ms Wina also launched the Implementation framework and guidance for pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PREP) aimed at reducing HIV transmission was speaking in a speech read on her behalf by minister in the office of the vice president Sylvia Chalikosa.

Speaking at the same event, Health Minister, Dr Chitalu Chilufya expressed confidence that the HIV epidemic will be brought under control and addressed in the near future considering the upsurge in various interventions.

And UN representative Hesston Phillip who read a speech on behalf of UN resident coordinator Janet Rogan commended government for its efforts towards ending the HIV pandemic by creating various strategies that are key in fighting HIV and AIDS.

This year’s HIV testing, Counselling and treatment day was commemorated under the theme “My Family, My Nation, My Responsibility.”