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HIV deaths in Zimbabwe drop to 50 000 a year
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The National AIDS Council (NAC) has highlighted significant progress in Zimbabwe's fight against HIV, while urging communities to remain vigilant and avoid unprotected sex.
NAC board member Freeman Dube made the remarks on Wednesday during a workshop for traditional healers at Pote Hotel in Zvishavane, where he outlined the country's progress in controlling the HIV epidemic.
Dube said HIV-related deaths had declined significantly over the years, while Zimbabwe had achieved substantial progress towards epidemic control.
"Deaths due to HIV are now down to 50 000 per year. At one time we had 3 000 deaths per week. Zimbabwe has achieved 90% epidemic control. HIV prevalence currently stands at 9.3% of the population and new infections per year stand at 15 000," he said.
He attributed part of the progress to improved access to and adherence to HIV treatment, stressing that people living with HIV must take their medication consistently.
Dube explained that effective treatment can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, significantly reducing the risk of sexual transmission.
"Treatment is equal to prevention. If a person takes his medication properly, he will suppress the chances of transmitting HIV, so it's now another way of preventing HIV," he said.
Dube said Zimbabwe has approximately 1.3 million people living with HIV, making continued prevention, treatment adherence and community education essential.
He expressed particular concern over the vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women, saying the demographic remained at increased risk of HIV infection.
"The statistics we have reveal vulnerability among young women. Between 18 and 19, girls are more exposed and this means that when they want to start sex, they are more exposed to men who are infected," he said.
Dube urged communities not to become complacent despite the progress made, stressing the importance of responsible sexual behaviour and continued access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
He also said traditional healers and traditional medicine practitioners had an important role to play in Zimbabwe's health response because of the trust they enjoy within communities.
Dube said the country's 2026–2030 plan on HIV and non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and cancer, would require the participation of traditional medicine practitioners if it was to succeed.
"Our 2026–2030 plan against HIV and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer cannot succeed without the trusted voices of traditional medicines, which will bridge the gap," he said.
The workshop concluded with a call for participating traditional healers to return to their communities and share the information and knowledge acquired during the programme.
NAC said continued collaboration between health authorities, traditional leaders and community-based structures would be critical in sustaining Zimbabwe's gains in the HIV response while addressing emerging health challenges.
NAC board member Freeman Dube made the remarks on Wednesday during a workshop for traditional healers at Pote Hotel in Zvishavane, where he outlined the country's progress in controlling the HIV epidemic.
Dube said HIV-related deaths had declined significantly over the years, while Zimbabwe had achieved substantial progress towards epidemic control.
"Deaths due to HIV are now down to 50 000 per year. At one time we had 3 000 deaths per week. Zimbabwe has achieved 90% epidemic control. HIV prevalence currently stands at 9.3% of the population and new infections per year stand at 15 000," he said.
He attributed part of the progress to improved access to and adherence to HIV treatment, stressing that people living with HIV must take their medication consistently.
Dube explained that effective treatment can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, significantly reducing the risk of sexual transmission.
"Treatment is equal to prevention. If a person takes his medication properly, he will suppress the chances of transmitting HIV, so it's now another way of preventing HIV," he said.
Dube said Zimbabwe has approximately 1.3 million people living with HIV, making continued prevention, treatment adherence and community education essential.
He expressed particular concern over the vulnerability of adolescent girls and young women, saying the demographic remained at increased risk of HIV infection.
"The statistics we have reveal vulnerability among young women. Between 18 and 19, girls are more exposed and this means that when they want to start sex, they are more exposed to men who are infected," he said.
Dube urged communities not to become complacent despite the progress made, stressing the importance of responsible sexual behaviour and continued access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
He also said traditional healers and traditional medicine practitioners had an important role to play in Zimbabwe's health response because of the trust they enjoy within communities.
Dube said the country's 2026–2030 plan on HIV and non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and cancer, would require the participation of traditional medicine practitioners if it was to succeed.
"Our 2026–2030 plan against HIV and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer cannot succeed without the trusted voices of traditional medicines, which will bridge the gap," he said.
The workshop concluded with a call for participating traditional healers to return to their communities and share the information and knowledge acquired during the programme.
NAC said continued collaboration between health authorities, traditional leaders and community-based structures would be critical in sustaining Zimbabwe's gains in the HIV response while addressing emerging health challenges.
Source - Mirror
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