SD reduces HIV infections by 50% – The Swazi Observer

SWAZILAND has managed to decrease the rate of new HIV infections by over 50%.

This was observed at the recent ordinary joint meeting of SADC ministers of health and ministers responsible for HIV and AIDS held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

This meeting was held from January 12-16. According to Minister of Health Sibongile Ndlela-Simelane, ministers noted that the SADC region continued to experience a huge burden of communicable diseases. The big three, namely HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria remain the largest contributors to morbidity and mortality across SADC. The meeting also noted that declines in new HIV infections of 26% and above were recorded in eight member states between 2001 and 2011.

“Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe recorded declines in new HIV infections among adults of between 26% and 49%, thus, surpassing the global target. Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland recorded declines in new HIV infections above 50% during the same period,” she said.

Reduction

Simelane said eight-member states are likely to reach by end of 2015 the 50% target reduction in new HIV infections. The E8 burden remains high in the member states but significant achievements have been made in diagnostic and provision of T8 treatment. The ministers also took note of the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and the need to address them.

Recent statistics showed that an estimated 214 210 people in the country will have been diagnosed to be living with HIV and the national goal is to half the number of new infections by 2015. The controversial yet much talked about ‘No Sex’ campaign by NERCHA and Lusweti that was also endorsed by the minister also had the same mandate of decreasing the number of new infections.

Statistics

The minister said such statistics showed that the country was headed towards the right direction of meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These include the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improving maternal health, combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, as well as developing a global partnership for development. The minister also said the main purpose of the joint meeting was to review progress in the implementation of regional policies and programmes for addressing public health issues in the region, within the context of SADC Protocol on Health and the Maseru Declaration on HIV and AIDS.

Ministers also agreed on common positions to be adopted at international for a namely the African Union (AU) and World Health Organisation (WHO).

They also participated in the commemoration of SADC Malaria Day, held on January 16 at Monde Primary School in Zimbabwe under the theme ‘Strong partnerships sustain gains in malaria control’ and Slogan: ‘Combining efforts; Key to success’.

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