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Govt has performed well in HIV/AIDS mitigation – Bwalya
Kasama, July 5th, 2013, ZANIS- Kasama District Commissioner (DC) Kalanga Bwalya says government has performed well in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in the country.
And Kasama District Task Force (DATF) Chairman Bishop Frankwell Mwila says the Voluntary, Counseling and Testing (VCT) Commemoration day is important for the nation.
Mr. Bwalya said this achievement is evident through the reduction in prevalence from 15.6 percent in 2011 to 14.3 percent in 2007.
He said this during National VCT Day commemoration held at Munkonge Primary school in Kasama yesterday.
ZANIS reports that the District Commissioner said this in a speech read on his behalf by Kasama district Administrative Officer (DAO) Beauty Namukoko, during the commemoration.
He noted that reduction has been as a result of government scaling up Voluntary, Counseling and Testing (VCT), Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), Prevention, Maintenance Treatment, Counseling and Testing (PMTCT) and other Biomedical services throughout the nation.
Mr. Bwalya also said although HIV/AIDS prevalence is at 6.9 percent in Northern Province, Kasama is highest at 10.8 percent in the province which he said needs urgent redress.
He pointed out that the high prevalence is due to engagement in high risk behaviors and amongst others are alcohol and drug abuse, low male circumcision and many other factors.
The DC disclosed that recently, Kasama District Health office, DATF and other stakeholders conducted a massive HIV Testing and Counseling campaign in various parts of the district.
Mr. Bwalya urged people continue opening up in knowing their HIV status as the Government is ready to reach everyone everywhere to provide Counseling and Testing service in Kasama district.
Meanwhile, Kasama District Task Force (DATF) Chairman Bishop Frankwell Mwila says the Voluntary, Counseling and Testing (VCT) Commemoration day is important for the nation.
Bishop Mwila said it was important because it provides a forum where people share survival information to know their HIV status.
He therefore urged people to take the messages seriously to save their lives and an infested nation is a sick nation that cannot develop economically and socially.
He thanked World Vision Zambia, Africare, Caritas Zambia and other stakeholders for support rendered for the success of holding the National VCT day.
