ELLEN MLAMBO
CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTER

CHIPINGE – Chipinge District has the lowest HIV incidence and prevalence in the province standing at 0,12% and 8,2% respectively, Manicaland Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza has said.
Mugadza said this at the belated 2023 Provincial World Aids Day commemorations held at Gaza Stadium in Chipinge last Friday.
Makoni District has the highest HIV incidence and prevalence standing at 0,17 % and 12,35% respectively, he said.
“The current HIV estimates for Manicaland has shown that Chipinge has the lowest HIV incidence and prevalence standing at 0,12% and 8,2% respectively while Makoni has the highest with 0,17% and 12,35% respectively,” he said.
Manicaland reduced the HIV prevalence from 22,86% in 1996 to 9,65 by 2022.
Another achievement worth celebrating is the epidemic control where-in the number of new HIV infections is lower than the number of deaths.
The commemorations were held under the theme “Let Communities Lead”.
He said new infections are higher in women than men. Life expectancy for people with HIV has increased.
The groups at the highest risk of HIV/AIDS are girls and young women between 10 to 24 because of intergenerational sex.
Mother to child transmission remains a challenge although it is highly preventable if women take up the available HIV prevention services.
Chipinge Town Secretary, James Mutemera called on residents to shun stigmatisation of people living with HIV.
FACT, National Aids Council and other development partners who are working towards eradicating HIV and AIDS took part in the event.