2 December 2008
ZAMBIA yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating World AIDS Day with Health Minister, Kapembwa Simbao saying the country has over the years made tremendous progress in fighting the scourge.
In Lusaka, several organisations assembled at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road campus before marching to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) where speeches, drama, exhibitions and voluntary HIV testing were conducted.
Mr Simbao who represented the Government said the fact that progress had been made towards the fight against AIDS does not call for complacency, as a lot more needed to be done to stop the pandemic.
He said that currently, about 200,000 people are on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART).
The minister said that the Government alone could not adequately fight HIV/AIDS and called for the support and involvement of all if the fight has to be won.
He paid tribute to the cooperating partners for their financial support towards the fight against HIV/AIDS.
At the same function, US ambassador to Zambia, Donald Booth said the high participation in the march past showed the commitment and leadership of the Zambian people.
Mr Booth said that HIV/AIDS was everyone's challenge and that his government had spent over half a billion dollars in helping Zambia fight the scourge.
"As we walked to honour those who died of AIDS, those who are living with AIDS and those who are providing support to people infected, let us keep in mind that prevention is the only certain cure, we must never lose sight of this," he said.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) country representative, Macleod Nyirongo called for stronger leadership in the fight against AIDS.
Former president, Kenneth Kaunda, said Africa still faced daunting challenges like poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, ignorance and disease and that there was need to work together if these challenges were to be overcome.
Speaking during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day held at Zambian Breweries Group premises in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kaunda said the challenges demanded everyone's resolve and determination to prevent a possible human catastrophe.
"If we do not work together in order to conquer this pandemic, posterity will judge us harshly for I know that the world has enough resources and the necessary capacity to wedge an effective and integrated response against the pandemic," Dr Kaunda said.
British High Commissioner to Zambia, Carolyn Davidson said yesterday at the UNZA Ridgeway campus in Lusaka that although the infection rate of HIV had reduced in Zambia it was still high in some urban areas.
Speaking at the same function, Norwegian regional HIV/AIDS advisor, Michael Tawanda said there was need for men and women to be given equal opportunities as gender relations are the key issues that need to be addressed in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
UNZA vice chancellor, Stephen Simukanga said Zambia was likely to achieve its millennium development targets on HIV/AIDS, adding that this was evidenced in the reduction of the prevalence rate in the current demographic and health survey.
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