By Cindy Mulomba
Zambia is close to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
The transmission rate fell from 34.4 per cent in 2005 to 6.12 per cent in 2025.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services KENNEDY LISHIMPI says the country must now step up efforts to push the rate below the 5 per cent World Health Organization elimination target.
Dr. LISHIMPI says this requires higher antenatal care attendance, speedier infant diagnosis, and better retention of mothers and babies in HIV care programmes. Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 HIV Spectrum Estimates in Lusaka,
Dr. LISHIMPI said the number of children living with HIV fell from 187,000 in 2005 to 59,000 in 2025.
He said new paediatric HIV infections dropped from 23,000 in 2005 to 2,700 in 2025. Dr. LISHIMPI credited the progress to the Option B-Plus programme, which puts HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women on lifelong antiretroviral therapy.
Meanwhile, UNFPA Country Representative SETH BROEKMAN called for wider use of the HIV Spectrum Estimates to improve the focus of prevention and sexual and reproductive health services.
Mr. BROEKMAN said the data provides age and location-specific information to direct resources to the communities most at risk.
UNAIDS Representative JOHN MWALE said the estimates form the foundation for the national HIV response by guiding the National AIDS Strategic Framework.
