Choma District records highest Sexually Transmitted Infections

Choma District in Southern Province has in the first quarter of this year recorded the highest number of Syphilis, a Sexually Transmitted Infection.

And Provincial Medical Officer Dr.Jelita Chinyonga said her office is concerned with the cases of Syphilis that have been experienced in the newly established capital of Choma.

Choma District Commissioner Bernadette Hamweemba says according to statistics from the ministry of health in the District indications are that the provincial capital for Southern  has so far recorded the highest number of Syphilis cases in the province.

ZANIS reports that Ms.Hamweemba made this revelation when she presented the District report to the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee meeting held at Royal Laricio Lodge in Mazabuka District, today.

Mrs.Hamweemba stated that results obtained from various health institutions in the district have seen an increase in the number of people that get infected and receive treatment for the sexually transmitted infections which are mainly Syphilis and Gonorrhea.

The District Commissioner further stated that Choma Municipal Council is currently working on developing an HIV/AIDS workplace policy with the help of partners called D4D.

The policy once formulated will among other things help the local authority to mitigate the effects and the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst employees.

And commenting on the ratings, Provincial Medical Officer Dr.Jelita Chinyonga said her office is concerned with the cases of Syphilis that have been experienced in the newly established capital of Choma.

Dr. Chinyonga said measures need to be put in place to fight the spread of the disease which she said has the potential of spreading the HIV virus.

“We need to find a lasting solution to the spread of Syphilis because these people that are getting infected with the disease may mostly likely get the HIV infection.

“  So all of us as partners need to work together and find a lasting solution to this problem,” she charged.

Stakeholders to the meeting who included Provincial Permanent secretary Margaret Muyoba expressed their fear over the statistics which they described as alarming.

The stakeholders however attributed the increase in the number of sexually infected infections in the district to the establishment of Choma as a new provincial capital for Southern province a move that has seen an influx of people visiting the town in search of economic prospects.

Choma which is fondly known as “Choma Maano, Wabula Maano Chakulya” meaning “Choma  you should have brains, without brains it will eat you” has become a hive of activity with statistics showing an increase in cases of prostitution.