Dagnachew Teklu
21 December 2004
Gedio — The HIV/AIDS pandemic is growing at alarming rate in the Southern Nation and Nationalities People Region (SNNPR) registering a 10 percent prevalence rate, health officials disclosed.
The epidemic, it was learnt, was currently spreading at an alarming rate in the Gedio, Wolayta, Kembata, Sidama and Hadia Zones.
A field trip was organized by UNICEF and HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO) to the Gedio zone aimed at observing the prevention of Mother-to-Child (PMTC) treatment in Dilla town of Gedio zone, located 285 km of South of Addis Ababa.
Dr. Leulseged Yohannes, a Medical Doctor at Dilla Hospital told journalists during the trip that the virus was spreading in the regions due to lack of public awareness of the pandemic and lack of Voluntary and Counselling Testing (VCT) Centres in the majority woreda's of the zones.
He said that HIV/AIDS prevalence has reached 10 percent in Gedio zone where over 700,000 people are estimated to live with the virus.
"The problem is the same in other zones of the region. Many people in the zones, like other parts of the country are unable to bring behavioural change. That is why the prevalence has reached 10 percent in a very short period of time", he said.
He indicated that the existence of Addis-Moyale route and the South being a cash crop area has worsened the situation among others.
Dr. Leulseged said that the baseline surveillance conducted in the zone since 1998 has shown that the virus is spreading at an alarming rate.
"The current prevention program including VCT and community based conversation should be given proper and regular attention. There is still a gap in the campaign in our region," he said.
Dr. Leulseged also indicated that the absence of adequate antiretroviral (ARV) drug supply in the region has also played its part in the rise of the epidemic.
He said that currently PMTC treatment is being conducted in the zone to minimize the number of children being born with the virus.
"The zone was selected for this treatment due to the high prevalence rate. UNICEF in collaboration with HAPCO is conducting the treatment. It is helping the zone to reduce the number of orphaned children," he said.
Dr. Adane Mekonnen, sector program coordinator of PMTC at HAPCO on his part said that care and support for those people living with the virus (PLWA) has not been given proper attention due to lack of coordinated effort by organizations working in the area.
"Now, preparations are underway to launch care and support service together with the beneficiaries of PMTC treatment. There is still a lot to be done in the region to tackle the epidemic," he added.
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