HIV prevalence in Southern Africa unacceptably high – UNDP

HIV prevalence in Southern Africa unacceptably high – UNDP

Livingstone, Sept 3/14, ZANIS—–United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Coordinator, Janet Rogan, says the prevalence of HIV in the Southern African region still remains at unacceptably high levels.

Ms Rogan attributed this development to many drivers and in particular, the influx of workers associated with the construction and subsequent operation of large capital projects such as construction of the Kazungula Bridge.

"Construction of the Kazungula Bridge vibrates concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Tanzania. Since this project is in its infancy stage, we have the opportunity through early intervention to implement and document cross-country best practices using this project as a case study” she said.

Ms Rogan said this in a speech read for her by UNDP representative, Ian Milimo, at the opening of the Regional Technical Meeting to review the integration of HIV and Health Impacts on the Kazungula Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report at Protea Hotel in Livingstone.

She noted that the Zambian government had prioritised large capital projects as a strategy for job creation, poverty reduction and ultimately, inclusive economic growth.

"In this opportune context, UNDP has forged and consolidated a partnership between public, civil society and private developers to maximise high impact interventions aimed at the target of getting to zero," she said.

And Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Anne Sinyangwe, said the Kazungula Bridge project was significant due to its capacity to improve transportation of cross-border goods to and from the many countries in the region.

Ms Sinyangwe said the project had potential to improve the quality of lives of the people in the region and effectively reduce the cost of doing business.

In a speech read for her by Kazungula District Commissioner, Pascalina Musokotwane, Ms Sinyangwe said the Kazungula Bridge project would contribute significantly to regional integration.

Earlier, Livingstone Mayor, Milford Mambo, said over 2000 workers were expected to be engaged during the construction phase of the Kazungula Bridge, adding that health facilities in the area would not be able to handle such a huge number.

Mr Mambo said Livingstone would most likely carry part of the burden as the development would impact on the delivery of its health services.

"Furthermore, Livingstone is the nearest entertainment hub to the project site and offers good accommodation. These dynamics, in addition to Livingstone being the tourist capital and a border town, are expected to compound the HIV situation which is the highest in the country at 25.3 per cent," he said.

Stakeholders from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia are meeting in Livingstone to review the integration of HIV and health impacts including gender into the Kazungula Bridge Project EIA report and development of a joint action plan.