Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala has noted the increased awareness of issues related to HIV/AIDs in the capital city.
Ms Chitangala said Lusaka city has in the recent past witnessed enhanced efforts aimed at increasing HIV/AIDs testing, treatment, medication and care.
She commended efforts by various stakeholders such as community leaders ,health workers and the general public in ensuring that voices and messages on HIV/AIDs are amplified.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Aids day.held under theme: under the theme, ” take the right path ” Ms Chitangala said this year’s theme resonates with the current times where people are living in seasons of misinformation.
” Knowledge on HIV/AIDS is critical because it is the single most important and powerful tool that people can use to prevent new infections, and especially for the young ones who remain vulnerable due to their social interactions among other factors,” she said.
Ms Chitangala noted that while the country reflects on the progress made in the fight against the pandemic so far, there’s need to reflect on the bottlenecks in the same regard.
Despite statistics indicating that 42 and 43 percent of young women and men respectively have knowledge on HIV/AIds , she states that there’s a need for increased collaboration to double the figures given the advancements in technology and other outreach platforms.
The USAID says, Zambia recorded about 23,000 new HIV/AIDs infections in 2023 alone.
Ms Chitangala has since stressed the need for increased collaborative efforts to ensure that the city’s HIV/aids response continues to be inclusive and equitable.
She reiterated that the local authority will continue to support all efforts by various stakeholders across the city.
