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Masline Mavudzi Herald Reporter
The United Nations has commended the Government for outstanding leadership in responding to the HIV crisis and saving thousands of lives through effective and efficient delivery of health services. In a recent statement, the UN Resident Representative Mr Bishow Parajuli said Zimbabwe was a great success story in combating HIV. Mr Parajuli was speaking on the sidelines of the International Conference on Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), which started in Harare on Sunday and is being attended by more than 5 000 delegates from all over the world.

“The UN is pleased to be represented in this event that provides a golden opportunity to showcase Zimbabwe’s robust national response to challenges posed by HIV and the value of effective international partnerships and co-operation that are the hallmark of the country’s shining example,” he said.

“We urge the international community to stay the course in supporting Zimbabwe to consolidate the phenomenal gains made in the last decade and achieve its goals under the national HIV and Aids strategic plan and other priorities.”

The head of UNAIDS in Zimbabwe, Mr Michael Bartos, said in the same statement that ICASA came at a crucial time for Africa to review progress made in meeting the Millennium Development Goals and committing to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

“Zimbabwe has made outstanding progress in scaling up antiretroviral treatment for all its citizens and this will be on show at the conference as well as progress in elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” he said.

“The Government’s commitment to leaving no one behind will be vital in ensuring that services reach all those key populations most affected by Aids in Zimbabwe.” UNFPA Country Representative Mr Cheikh Tidiane Cisse stressed the need for more focus on HIV prevention, especially among young people.

“HIV control and management continues to be a central plank of global strategies to improve women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, together we can invest more in integrating HIV and sexual reproductive health services,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s 2014 annual report, the number of HIV-positive people on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) rose from 363 261 in 2010 to 508 690 in 2012 and to 854 181 by September this year.