HIV needs re-energised response – DC

Mwinilunga District Commissioner, Masela Sekeseke Chinyama, says there is need to re-energise and support an effective and sustainable response to HIV/AIDS pandemic that will reduce new infections especially among young people.

Ms Chinyama said as future leaders, young people need to have access to counseling, testing and care and support especially before they engage themselves in sexual and marital affairs.

She was speaking in Mwinilunga yesterday during world AIDS day commemorations held in Lumwana West under the theme” Getting to zero in Zambia: zero new infections, zero deaths, zero stigma and discrimination.”

Ms Chinyama said government is committed to ensuring that gender and human rights are incorporated into all interventions aimed at responding positively to HIV/AIDS in communities.

She called on traditional, civic, Church and business leaders to double their efforts in dealing with the HIV pandemic.

Ms Chinyama also urged communities to support HIV/AIDS intervention efforts by all stakeholders.

Speaking earlier, Lumwana West AIDS taskforce chairperson, Webby Chilufya, said there is need for government to continue rolling out Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) services to rural areas and ensure consistent supply of Anti retroviral drugs in rural health centres.

Mr Chilufya appealed to government to consider opening an ART facility at Lumwana West Rural Health Centre to reduce on long distances people travel to access the services.