Talent Gore
UNITED Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator, Edward Kallon, has said that urbanites are more vulnerable to new HIV infections, compared to those in rural areas, due to their significantly higher disposable income and mobility.
He said Zimbabwe has made commendable progress in tackling the HIV epidemic, and the availability of ARVs has helped millions to lead healthy lives.
Kallon made these remarks during the World AIDS Day Commemorations in Victoria Falls.
He said reducing risky behaviour, by investing in behavioural science and communication for development, is essential in addressing the issue.
Kallon bemoaned the high number of people succumbing to HIV/AIDS-related complications.
“According to the 2022 Zimbabwe epidemic status report, approximately 1.3 million people, accounting for 8.7 percent of the total population, are people living with HIV,” Kallon said.
“Tragically, 20 000 lives have been lost to AIDS-related illnesses in the same year.
“The impact on women is particularly significant, as women make up 61 percent of the 1.2 million adults living with HIV.”
He added:
“Notably, young people are adopting safer sexual behaviours, and AIDS-related deaths have been reduced through widespread availability of free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in public clinics.
“Thanks to access to treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes, nearly one million HIV-positive Zimbabweans can lead long and productive lives.”
He, however, said there were still numerous challenges in achieving the goal of ending AIDS.
“These challenges include disparities in access to HIV services based on age, gender and geography.
“Adolescent girls and young women are disproportionately affected by new infections, while children and key populations have limited access to services.
“National-scale implementation of programmes targeting adolescent girls and young women, from key and vulnerable populations, is yet to be achieved.”