DESPITE EFFORTS to curb HIV/AIDS nationwide, the National Aids Council (NAC) has admitted that HIV threats are here and still has the potential of increasing.
Dr Tenneth Dalipanda who assisted NAC Chairperson, Dr Cedrick Alependava revealed this yesterday during the opening to the NAC’s reflection workshop.The workshop ends yesterday.
The two-day workshop brought together repesentatives from various stakeholders and organizations that are partners and would be partners to fight HIV in the country.
The workshop attempt to revisit what NAC has been doing over the past years in its fight to curb HIV/AIDS and develop plans ahead.
The workshop was to reflect and evaluate the NAC Grant Programme in that it provides input for the NAC Grant Programes overall end report.
The workshop hopes to draw recommendations for future improvement and effective grant management and programing.
Dr Dalipanda in his address said HIV/AIDS risks are still here and has the potential to increase.
So far, the country has officially registered 13 HIV/AIDS cases however as highlighted during the opening avenues to colllect and test bloods for HIV/AIDS remain minimal.
HIV/AIDS cases officially registered are mainly detected in voluntary counseling and confidential testing VCCT.
According to Dr Dalipanda, VCCT did not fully capture the data they want that can provide the overal picture of the extent of the illness.
Dr Dalipanda said “monitoring the illness is important so we can keep on track on the illness.
He said previous efforts to combat HIV/AIDS have often used ‘funding’ as an excuse.
He said despite these challenges, commitment of partners in the fight against HIV should be re-strengthened.
Dr Dalipanda told participants of the workshop that they are the ones that would help determine how the illness spread.
He told participants to identify areas that are bringing-in HIV/AIDS (source) and address it.
Dr Dalipanda said policies to counter HIV/AIDS “need to be fine tuned” to address HIV/AIDS in the country according to present experiences.
