By Staff Writer
ZIMBABWE is among three Sub-Saharan African countries which have employed interventions that have seen the HIV/AIDS infection rates easing significantly over the years.
Offficial data shows that Zimbabwe has managed to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic and ultimately achieve the 95-95-95 Joint United Nations Programme (UNAIDS) targets on HIV/AIDS resulting in a decrease in infections and deaths .
As of this year , only three Sub-Saharan African countries including Zimbabwe have achieved the UNAIDS 95-95-95 objectives.
In addition to the achievements , Zimbabwe’s Anti-Retroviral Therapy coverage currently stands at 99% of the 1,3 million HIV positive people.
Over the past 10 years Zimbabwe has recorded the highest decline of 78% in new HIV infections in Eastern and Southern Africa making the country a trendsetter in HIV prevention and treatment.
Marking the World Aids Day commemorations ,President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had recorded tremendous gains in fighting the pandemic.
“We join others in the comity of nations in celebrating the achievements recoded to date and recommit ourselves to ending HIV/AIDS.
“Despite the negative impact of Covid19, our country’s response to HIV remains on course.I am therefore pleased to celebrate out achievements.
“We must also tackle head on the new drug abuse epidemic that is threatening the future of our young people and the nation , drug abuse has been strongly associated with new HIV infections .We must be united as a nation in confronting this menace,” he said.
The remarkable trends come at a time when Zimbabwe is set to host the International Conference of AIDS and STIs in Africa next week.
“The conference is an important platform for sharing and exchanging cutting edge evidence and lessons in response to HIV and other epidemics afflicting the continent and beyond,” added Mnangagwa.
