Councils step to spearhead HIV/AIDS fight cheers NAC

0
Banner 3
Banner 3

Councils step to spearhead HIV/AIDS fight cheers NAC

Nakonde, July 19, ZANIS —— The National Aids Council (NAC) says it is pleased that councils have taken a step to spearhead the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.


NAC Chairperson Joshua Banda observed that the local authorities have been putting in place programmes aimed at helping in mitigating the pandemic countrywide.


Bishop Banda said this yesterday during local authority’s presentation reports on HIV/AIDS and other matters at their workplace during the on-going joint 57th Annual Conference of Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) and 10th AMICAALL General Assembly in Nakonde district, Muchinga Province being held at Mwetwa Lodge in Nakonde.


The NAC Chairperson noted that the step taken by the local authorities to start implementing the HIV/AIDS programmes in their respective councils deserves commendation.


Bishop Banda urged the local authorities in the country to carry on with the same spirit in the fight against the pandemic.


He pointed out that councils were key partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS and that NAC remains fully committed to work closely with them fighting the killer disease.


Bishop Banda further stressed that NAC shall work towards linking councils with other groups who are helping to fight the disease in order to strengthen their capacity in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.


He said there are some challenges in the fight against the disease and called upon the local authorities not to relent but soldier on in assisting to mitigate HIV/AIDS nationwide.


Bishop Banda also called for the discouragement of stigma and discrimination adding that this does not help in addressing the pandemic in anyway.


Meanwhile, NAC Director General Clement Chela said NAC is eager to see councils carry out their HIV/AIDS programmes in a successful manner.


Dr Chela further mentioned that NAC shall provide support in order to help build the local authorities capacity to fight the disease in Zambia.


The theme for the Annual Conference and General Assembly which has drawn all the local authorities in the country and comes to a close today is “In Pursuit of Integrated Solutions for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

NO COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY