News / National
Bulawayo babies have least HIV
11 Jan 2018 at 05:45hrs | Views
BULAWAYO recorded the least number of new infections in children aged from zero to 14 years compared to other provinces in 2016, statistics show.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care HIV and Aids Estimates Report, Bulawayo recorded 81 of the 3 900 new infections recorded in Zimbabwe.
"The highest number of new infections in children was recorded in Midlands with 734 followed by Matabeleland North which recorded 531," reads the report.
"Bulawayo has the least number of cases and generally the least number of children living with HIV in the whole country. Masvingo recorded 519 followed by Mashonaland East at 434 while Manicaland recorded 401."
According to the statistics, Mashonaland Central had the second least figure at 248 followed by Harare province which recorded 261 new child HIV infections.
"Matabeleland South recorded 391 cases. Mashonaland Central and Bulawayo provinces had the highest children ART coverage at 100 percent while Matabeleland South has the least at 72 percent," reads the report.
Speaking at the launch of the report recently Aids and TB Programme director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi said:
"There was a sharp decline in the total number of new infections from 44 400 in 2015 to 40 500 in 2016. Of these, 3 800 were new infections among the zero to 14 age group."
Zimbabwe is on course to eliminate HIV in newly born babies as the country only has to deal with less than five percent mother to child transmission prevalence.
Global targets stipulate that by 2020, 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and that 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. By 2020, the world is also targeting that 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy should be able to suppress the virus.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care HIV and Aids Estimates Report, Bulawayo recorded 81 of the 3 900 new infections recorded in Zimbabwe.
"The highest number of new infections in children was recorded in Midlands with 734 followed by Matabeleland North which recorded 531," reads the report.
"Bulawayo has the least number of cases and generally the least number of children living with HIV in the whole country. Masvingo recorded 519 followed by Mashonaland East at 434 while Manicaland recorded 401."
According to the statistics, Mashonaland Central had the second least figure at 248 followed by Harare province which recorded 261 new child HIV infections.
"Matabeleland South recorded 391 cases. Mashonaland Central and Bulawayo provinces had the highest children ART coverage at 100 percent while Matabeleland South has the least at 72 percent," reads the report.
Speaking at the launch of the report recently Aids and TB Programme director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi said:
"There was a sharp decline in the total number of new infections from 44 400 in 2015 to 40 500 in 2016. Of these, 3 800 were new infections among the zero to 14 age group."
Zimbabwe is on course to eliminate HIV in newly born babies as the country only has to deal with less than five percent mother to child transmission prevalence.
Global targets stipulate that by 2020, 90 percent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status and that 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. By 2020, the world is also targeting that 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy should be able to suppress the virus.
Source - chronicle
