THE World AIDS Day is here once again and to commemorate this day which falls tomorrow, Zambia has set a target of reaching at least two million people during the week preceding the day. The local theme for this year is “Zambia @ 50, Towards Zero Stigma.”
Minister of Community Development Mother and Child Health Emerine Kabanshi launched the World AIDS Day/Week – Districts HIV Testing and Counselling campaign on November 25, 2014 at Lusaka’s Southern Sun
hotel during a media breakfast.
In her keynote address, Ms Kabanshi said HIV Testing and Counselling is a critical entry point to HIV prevention and treatment and is also a prevention strategy that enables more people know their HIV status and, therefore, make informed choices in adopting key positive, and preventive behaviours that promote reduction in HIV transmission.
She noted that “this year’s theme is demanding us to make serious efforts in encouraging people to access Testing and Counselling for HIV. As such, this year we have joined efforts with the UN, bilateral and multilateral partners, the community at large to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day in style.
We are launching a countrywide HIV Testing and Counselling campaign with specific 12 districts that have relatively low HIV testing rates or are key districts that are affecting the HIV status of Zambia.”
She said stigma has been identified as one of the main barriers to universal access and utilisation of HIV and AIDS related services.
Ms Kabanshi described stigma as a spoilt identity, because to stigmatise is to label someone, to see them as inferior because of an attribute or condition they have.
She said some of the causes of stigma are insufficient knowledge about HIV, disbeliefs and fear about HIV transmission, moral judgments about people living with HIV   fears about disease and death, and lack of recognition of stigma.
She said stigma has numerous effects including being chased from the family, house,  work, rented accommodation, organisation, dropping out of school due to peer pressure and insults, depression, suicide, alcoholism, non-adherence to treatment and anger which can lead one to further transmit the HIV virus, and early death.
Ms Kabanshi said while the Zambian government is already employing strategies that will reduce and eventually eliminate stigma, she appealed to the media to inform the public about about the available services for HIV Testing and Counselling, the need to stop stigmatising against people living with HIV and disseminate positive messages that will motivate access to care and treatment for HIV.
She said according to the 2007 Zambia Demographic Health Survey, testing in the general population still remains low. While nine out of 10 women and men know where to get an HIV test, only 35 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men have ever been tested and received the results.
Earlier, acting country coordinator for the US President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Tamu Daniel said this year’s theme is befitting for Zambia which celebrated its 50 years of independence.
“Today Zambia is embarking on an ambitious campaign to test two million people for HIV. As leaders in the HIV response let’s challenge all Zambians to find out their HIV status and get treated if they are HIV positive. PEPFAR’s is to support the Zambian government as it works towards an AIDS-free generation.
Although the Zambian Government is leading the work, achieving an AIDS-free generation depends on each
and every Zambian knowing their HIV status,” Ms Daniel said.
National AIDS Council of Zambia Director General Dr Jabin Mulwanda in his welcome remarks said the importance of the World AIDS Day cannot be over emphasised.
UNAIDS country director Dr Medhin Tsehaiu was happy that the Zambian Government and the people of Zambia are working hard together to achieve zero infections.
She said it was however worrying that the majority of people do not know their HIV status.
Dr Tsehaiu said the good news however is that treatment targets are being met while cases of new infections have reduced.
Well speeches have been done but it’s up to all of us to take a step and get tested. Let us also encourage family members and friends to go for testing. Remember knowledge is power.
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