AIDS on the right track-free power generation by 2030 || Southern Times

Harare- A significant number of countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have made remarkable progress in combating the HIV and AIDS epidemics and ensuring access to treatment for infected citizens.

Statistics from South Africa show that the region is almost on track to reach its 90-90-90 goal, as people observed World AIDS Day on December 1st. One-e Swatini-exceeds the 95-95-95 target 10 years earlier than planned. Countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe are also on track to reach their 95-95-95 goals by 2030.

The goals set by UNAIDS aim to ensure that by 2020: 90 percent of all people living with HIV know their condition. 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV receive continuous antiretroviral therapy. And 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy have virus suppression. The revised goal is to achieve at least 95% success in all three areas by 2030.

The theme of World AIDS Day in 2020 was “Global Solidarity, Sharing Responsibility”.

UNAIDS Secretary-General Winnie Byanima, UN Deputy Secretary-General, said the United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS was impressed with the progress made in tackling the epidemic.

Worldwide, 38 million people live with HIV.

“We are proud that the HIV movement has been mobilized over the past year to protect our progress and protect those who live with HIV and other vulnerable groups,” she said. HIV activists and affected communities are at the heart of HIV response, including months of HIV treatment campaigns, drug delivery arrangements, financial support for at-risk groups, food and shelter provision. I showed you again. Thank you!

“It is a strength within the community that has contributed significantly to our victory over HIV, inspired by the shared responsibilities of each other. Today, more than ever to overcome the conflicting epidemic of HIV and COVID-19. Need that power. “

Dr. Stergomena Tax, Secretary-General of SADC, praised the members of the block for milestones in the containment and promotion of HIV and AIDS.

“Despite the challenges faced during the year, and in line with regional and global commitments, SADC member states have continued to implement effective strategies to combat HIV and AIDS.

“Many Member States have achieved the 90-90-90 Fast Track Goal, and few are approaching this important milestone. One SADC Member State has a 2030 target deadline. It is important to emphasize that the 95-95-95 goal was achieved long before, which demonstrates a strong commitment of SADC member countries to build an HIV-free generation. Effective development, “she said.

Dr. Tax said the secured benefits made it increasingly essential for the region to strengthen its cooperation in HIV and AIDS-related interventions.

Botswana

President Mokgweetsi Masisi said this week that great progress has been made to contain the virus since Botswana recorded the first case of HIV in 1985.

Botswana is one of the highest infection rates in the world, but between 2010 and today Botswana has significantly reduced this number.

“The HIV positive rate in Botswana has been flat in the last few years, with 17.1% in 2004, 17.6% in 2008 and 18.5% in 2013,” said President Mashishi. “To date, it is estimated that 110 out of 384 people live with HIV in Botswana, but HIV / AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 28% between 2010 and 2019.

“The government has put a lot of effort into tackling the HIV / AIDS pandemic in the country, so the country exceeded the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target in 2019 and is now 95-95-. We have set a new goal of 95. Currently, 92% of people living with HIV know their condition, 89% are being treated, and 96% are suppressed by the virus.

“Botswana is also on the road to eradicating mother-to-child transmission from 2.5% to 1.9% in 2018. In December 2019, the Botswana government will work with PEPFAR to provide free HIV / AIDS. Adopted policy. Services to non-citizens in Botswana. To date, more than 2,965 non-citizens have free access to anti-retrovirus treatment services. “

President Maxixe said the government would introduce pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people over the age of 18 and prioritize adolescent girls and young women.

Namibia

Namibia significantly reduced the annual AIDS-related deaths from 10,200 to about 3,000 between 2003 and 2020 by 60%. Infections in newborns are less than 2%, demonstrating the success of the national PMTCT program.

Namibia has achieved its 90-90-90 goal past the 2020 deadline and is ahead of schedule for the 2030 95-95-95 benchmark.

Karumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services, said: These set of goals were achieved through strong strategies and programs implemented by the government and development cooperation partners such as PEPFAR, the World Fund, UN agencies, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations.

“Some of these successes include the fact that Namibia reduced the new infection rate in newborns to less than 2%, according to recent PMTCT data. Similarly, in adults aged 15-49 years. New infections have also decreased significantly. “

Dr. Shangra emphasized that all stakeholders need to double their efforts to achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2030.

“Our success in this regard requires multi-sectoral intervention and the involvement of all stakeholders, including the private health sector and development cooperation partners … As such a government, the private health sector and individuals , We have a duty to cooperate in an orderly manner, to eliminate infections. “

South Africa

South Africa, with a population of nearly 58 million, has the highest number of people living with HIV and AIDS among the SADC countries, with 7.7 million infected.

“But it’s encouraging that over the last decade, progress has been made in reducing the number of new HIV infections in the population by nearly 60%,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech to the public on World AIDS Day.

The country has also made great strides in ensuring that people know their HIV status, with 92 percent of those living with HIV knowing their status.

“We ensured that 73 percent of people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral treatment. Therefore, the country has a 17 percent treatment gap. To 90 percent virus suppression levels. Our performance to reach is encouraged to be 88%.

“It’s also encouraging that HIV transmission in adolescent girls and young women has dropped significantly over the last decade. This is an important group because they are at a much higher risk of becoming infected with HIV,” said the president. Said.

“Our treatment program has helped reduce the number of deaths from AIDS by 60%. HIV-related deaths among young people have been significantly reduced. We are working with our partners to help this We have been able to reduce the number of deaths by deploying an extensive anti-retrovirus program that reaches millions of people living with illness. “

In addition, South Africa has one of the largest programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT).

“We have reduced deaths and new infections, but we have not yet reached our 2016 commitment to reduce HIV infections by 75% by 2020. For example, AIDS is a public hygiene threat by 2030, “said President Ramafosa.

Zimbabwe

President Emerson Mnangagwa said the 2020 Zimbabwe population-based HIV impact assessment shows that the country’s quest to reach UNAIDS goals is making steady but uneven progress. I am.

For example, 86.8% of people living with HIV are currently aware of their HIV status. This is below the UNAIDS target of 90%, but a significant increase from the 76.8% recorded in 2015.

President Mnangagwa said: “We are pleased to announce that 97% of people living with HIV receive lifelong antiretroviral therapy, which is a significant improvement over the previous 88.4%. Those receiving antiretroviral therapy. In this case, 90.3% achieved viral load suppression compared to 85.3% in the previous survey. ”

So in the 90-90-90 target, Zimbabwe stands 87-97-85.

President Mnangagwa said: “The strong national ART program, enhanced by high retention rates, has also significantly reduced the number of people dying from AIDS from 22,000 in 2018 and 23,000 in 2016 to 20,000 in 2019. Recorded these achievements despite financial challenges. “

New infections in Zimbabwe have decreased from 47,000 in 2016 to 40,000 in 2019. This is due to an increase in HIV testing services, PMTCT programs, safe sex education campaigns, and increased promotion of behavior change.