KAPIRI IN ‘BUMPER’ CONDOM SUPPLY

The District AIDS Task Force (DATF) in Kapiri Mposhi has received 684,000 pieces of male condoms for mass distribution to the community in the area.
DATF vice chairperson, Francis Mwape disclosed the development to ZANIS today, saying the condoms were intended to counter the increased HIV/AIDS transmission rate in the district.
Mr Mwape said the condoms will also help in the reduction of incidences of new infections and re-infections amongst people living with HIV/AIDS in the district.

The condoms to be given free of charge have been supplied by the National AIDS Council (NAC).
He said the condoms will be distributed to users through various HIV/AIDS based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the district.
Mr Mwape said DATF will also make the condoms available to public places that include bars, markets, bus stops and health centers.
“We have received 684,000 pieces of condoms and as DATF we have already started a mass distribution to users especially in public places … this is in view of the high transmission rates of HIV/AIDS in our district,” Mr Mwape said.
Currently, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Kapiri Mposhi stands at 15.8 per cent with an estimated 20,314 people out of the total 240, 841 district population living with the virus.

He urged beneficiaries of the condoms to use the protective rubber commodity correctly and go for Counseling and Testing (CT) for them to know their HIV/AIDS status.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwape has implored stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS sector in the district to collaborate in order to reduce the prevalence rate of the pandemic.
He noted that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the area was still too high and needed to be reduced further, adding that this could only be achieved when stakeholders work together.- ZANIS