Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
MATABELELAND North Province has recorded encouraging progress in its ongoing efforts to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS, with official data showing a modest yet significant decline in the province’s prevalence rate.
The success is being largely attributed to increased community participation and the involvement of traditional leaders in the “Not in My Village” campaign an initiative aimed at reducing new infections through grassroots awareness and advocacy.
Matabeleland North Provincial Reproductive Officer for the National AIDS Council (NAC), Mr Freeman Sibanda, confirmed the progress, noting that the province’s prevalence rate has fallen by three percent.
“We have reduced our prevalence rate by three percent despite having the highest prevalence rate nationally, with Tsholotsho standing out as one of our districts with the highest rates, followed by Lupane,” Matabeleland North Provincial Reproductive Officer NAC, Mr Freeman Sibanda, said.
Traditional leaders say the government has played a huge role in the success of such programmes by providing logistical support.
“All Chiefs in Matabeleland North have got vehicles, we want to thank the president for that, and out of the 43 chiefs in Mat North, there is only one vacant chieftainship,” Chief Siansali said.
“This is a very big campaign, in every village, let no one be left behind, let us pull together in the fight against HIV and AIDS. No life should be lost to a preventable condition as this one,” Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo said.
Although the overall HIV and AIDS prevalence rate is declining across the country, concerns remain: Matabeleland South stands at 17.6 percent, Matabeleland North at 14.9 percent, and Bulawayo at 14 percent.
Zimbabwe’s national HIV prevalence rate for adults is estimated to be around 11.58 percent to 12.9 percent, which translates to approximately 1.3 million people living with the virus.
The prevalence is higher among women around 15.3 percent, than among men around 10.2 percent.
