MUTARE - Zimbabweans have been warned of increased risk of contracting HIV next year when millions of foreigners are expected to converge in the sub-region for the FIFA World Cup soccer finals in South Africa. The coordinator of the National Aids Council in Manicaland province, Lawrence Kupara, said research indicated that HIV infection rates were already on the rise in the border towns of Beitbridge, Mutare and Masvingo, adding that this trend could pick up pace during the World Cup next year.
Kupara said: There is likelihood for HIV prevalence to go up starting next year because of the World Cup soccer show case in South Africa although the general prevalence in the country was going down.
Research has shown that due to excitement naturally brought by events of such magnitude, people are tempted to be promiscuous, and above all, the border towns are already showing the signs.
A local man, Casper Paundi, who is living with HIV, warned the nation to desist from behaviour which can spread the virus that causes AIDS. Paundi urged the media to do more to inform Zimbabweans of the dangers of contracting HIV and the measures they can take to avoid and prevent infection.
Meanwhile a South African AIDS lobby group Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has hit out at African governments for not doing enough to tackle the HIV/AIDS that continues to claim millions of lives on the African continent.
Governments are not committing enough resources on their health care systems. I dont think the political commitment matches the needs. You can not rely on donor funding because it is not guaranteed for ever, said TAC chairperson Nonkosi Khumalo
Citing South Africa as an example, Khumalo said the ANC government had done little to provide ARVs and other essential drugs to people living with HIV. There arent enough essential drugs and ARVs in the public health centres, people are forced to share their drugs. Implications of this are dire for members of the public here. In a country where over 80 percent of the population is not economically active, where should they be getting this amount of financial resources, said Khumalo.
The majority of HIV/AIDS programmes in Africa are funded by foreign donors with African governments either unable or unwilling to spent more money on the health of citizens.
Post published in: Analysis