UPND will minimize new HIV infections-HH

Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians to go for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) as the first step in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Mr. Hichilema said as the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating the World Aids Day today, it was important for people to know their status as they were affected by HIV/AIDS in many ways.

He said in statement released to ZANIS that this was the time to sit back and reflect where the country was coming from and heading to in terms of the fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hichilema said the UPND will minimize new infections using different strategies if the party forms government after January 20, 2015 presidential elections.

“We will also ensure that all people who are supposed to be under treatment, receive that treatment and have recourse to take the state to task if that service is not provided and I also pledge to ensure that care services are commensurate with the minimum standards that won’t compromise the dignity of the people who are benefiting from that care,” he said.

Mr. Hichilema has also promised that home based care will receive special incentives to make it sustainable.