Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
HARARE Province is recording significant progress in the fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with the latest statistics showing declines in HIV prevalence, new infections and repeat STI cases.
Health officials attribute the improvements to sustained investment in prevention programmes, expanded testing and stronger community engagement.
National AIDS Council Harare Provincial Manager, Mr Adonija Muzondiona, said the province achieved 72 percent coverage under the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme during the quarter, with 16 532 pregnant women tested for HIV.
“The latest HIV burden estimates are encouraging. They point to a reduction in both HIV prevalence and incidence. HIV prevalence has declined to 8.4 percent, down from around 13 percent, while HIV incidence has also dropped to 0.4 percent,” he said.
“We believe the positive results are due to the prevention programmes we are implementing, particularly the Brother-to-Brother programme.”
The province is also reporting improved outcomes in the fight against sexually transmitted infections.
“This quarter, we recorded an increase of just over 10 percent in new STI cases compared to the previous quarter. This is a significant improvement because we were previously seeing increases of 20 percent or more every quarter,” said Mr Muzondiona.
“More importantly, we recorded a 38 percent decline in repeat STI cases. This is a major success, which we attribute to follow-up programmes being implemented by the National AIDS Council and its partners to ensure clients complete treatment and receive continued support. The most common STIs recorded are gonorrhoea and genital abrasions.”
With HIV prevalence and incidence continuing to decline alongside a significant reduction in repeat STI cases, health authorities say Harare’s sustained prevention and follow-up programmes are yielding positive results.
They say the focus is now on maintaining the momentum by expanding HIV testing, promoting safer sexual practices and ensuring early treatment as the province works towards an HIV and AIDS-free generation.
