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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Health Reporter
Zimbabwe is expected to chronicle its journey into the HIV and Aids national response during the 19th International Conference for Aids and STIs in Africa (ICASA) set for November 29 to December 4.

According to the National Aids Council (NAC) draft programme for ICASA Head of Aids and Tuberculosis Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Owen Mugurungi will make a presentation focusing on key lessons learnt during the country’s 30 year journey into the epidemic.

His presentation will focus mainly on the oversight role played by his department in the Ministry of Health on all HIV and Aids activities in the country.

“This satellite tracks the country’s tremendous progress in tackling HIV and Aids over the years, particularly the remarkable reduction of both the HIV incidence and prevalence. Access to antiretroviral therapy has also significantly expanded over the years,” said NAC in a statement.

“This satellite will feature presentations and discussions by the country’s key stakeholders, including NAC, Ministry of Health and Child Care, people living with HIV and UNAIDS in sharing key milestones, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt.”

National Aids Council chief executive, Dr Tapuwa Magure will also speak about his organisation’s experiences in coordinating HIV activities in the country.

A number of non-Governmental organisations, private sector companies, activists and pressure groups working on HIV have sprouted during the past 30 years and NAC has been playing the coordination role to avoid duplication of services.

One of the non-governmental organisations, the Zimbabwe Aids Network and a representative from the people living with HIV and Aids will also make presentations on existing opportunities to ending Aids by 2030.

The UNAIDS has set ambitious targets for countries to ensure that by the year 2020, at least 90 percent of people living with HIV and Aids should know their status.

The first Aids case in Zimbabwe was reported in 1985. Since then more patients began to present illnesses suggestive of HIV infection.

Young adults presented with severe respiratory infections, herpes zosters, and weight loss among other symptoms.

Infected children seemed to be suffering from malnutrition yet their socio-economic backgrounds were inconsistent with poverty.

Until 2004, treatment of HIV was largely in the private sector and some non-governmental organisations.

It also looks forward to see at least 90 percent of those that know their status adhering to treatment while 90 percent of those that are on treatment have their viral load suppressed.

These targets are meant to end Aids by the year 2030.