Zambia seeks increased access to antiretroviral therapy for children living with HIV/AIDS

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Zambia is seeking to increase antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among children living with HIV/AIDS to achieve its target of eliminating the ailment as a public health concern among children by 2030.

"It is not right that out of 80,000 children living with HIV/AIDS, only 60% are accessing lifesaving medication," Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch of an HIV/AIDS advocacy campaign in the capital Lusaka, Masebo said that the government and stakeholders will work to ensure that no child living with the illness is denied access to medication and other HIV/AIDS services.

Connie Osborne, head of the country's National Aids Council, regretted that the country has seen a surge in AIDS infections, especially among adolescents.

"The country recorded 38,000 new HIV/AIDS infections in 2022 with 11,000 infections being among adolescents aged 15-24. The country’s population living with HIV/AIDS stood at 1.3 million people as of 2022," Osbourne said.

Zambian first lady Mutinta Hichilema, who officially launched the campaign, called for an acceleration of efforts by stakeholders to end HIV/AIDS in children.

"Zambian is lagging behind in terms of providing HIV/AIDS curative services to children living with HIV/AIDS and I am hopeful that this initiative will bridge gaps where the country is lagging in providing curative services," she said.