Rising HIV Infections Risk Reversing Gains - Masebo

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has warned that the rising numbers of HIV infections in Zambia risk reversing the gains made in terms of prevention over the past few years.

Speaking at an event in Lusaka to commemorate World AIDS Day, Ms Masebo revealed that in 2020 Zambia recorded some 51,000 new HIV infections - slightly more than in 2019.

The minister said that there was an urgent need to address inequalities in infection rates based on economic, social and legal factors. To this end, she said the government is fast-tracking a programme to end the inequalities that drive HIV by the year 2030. She added that the government would also be conducting a review of existing policies to ensure better health outcomes for people with HIV.

Following the minister’s speech, the United States’ Acting Chargé d’Affaires Sheryl Stumbras spoke about the urgent need to address the inequalities behind HIV as well as the factors that prevent people from accessing quality health care. She also said that addressing stigma and discrimination was crucial in the fight against AIDS. 

Afterwards, the UNAIDS Country Director Tharcisse Barihuta said ending AIDS by 2030 is possible but would be dependent on collaborative efforts and a strong political will. They emphasised that Zambia is one of the hardest hit countries in the southern African region, with 1.5 million Zambians living with HIV. 

Lusaka Province Minister echoed these sentiments, bemoaning that the HIV prevalence rate in the capital is 15.1% - much higher than the national rate of 11%. AIDS.