By Staff Reporter
UNITED States (U.S) envoy to Zimbabwe has commended the support extended towards the fight against HIV/AIDS on the back of calls to channel more resources towards combating the disease.
Over the past five years, the United States has contributed more than $1 billion to support Zimbabwe’s efforts in combating HIV/AIDS.
PEPFAR, The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a global health initiative that aims to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic which has to date invested over US$110 billion in the global investment and has spent over $110 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response.
The fund has impacted on more than 25 million lives and prevented millions of HIV infections.
Briefing the media on her visit to Marondera Provincial Hospital this week, Tremont called for injection of more resources as a way of safeguarding the gains made so far.
“We have made huge progress since 2006, the number of deaths from HIV is falling by 80%, now this is something we should all be very proud of. The U.S is extremely happy and gratified to support Zimbabwe in this fight through the provision of AntiRetroviral treatments and the provision of many health workers and a lot of health clinics and hospitals around Zimbabwe.
“It is going to take all of us to pitch in to make sure that we prevent the spread of this disease and end it as a public health threat by 2030,” Tremont said
Aids and TB Programs National Quality Improvement coordinator from the health ministry also urged all stakeholders to keep supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Government together with PEPFAR and all other stakeholders should continue putting resources towards the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Before PEPFAR came in, many people were dying at an alarming stage but through this initiative, this is now different,” Mpofu said.
Marondera Provincial Hospital is supported by the U.S. President Emergency Plan For Aids Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
