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Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
HIV/Aids related deaths in Zimbabwe dropped by more than 20,000 this year compared to last year, according to figures released by the National Aids Council (NAC).

The decline from 63,853 deaths last year to 42,534 this year across all age groups has been attributed to the use of anti-retroviral drugs as well as other NAC programmes.

Zimbabwe has an estimated 80,000 people on anti-retroviral drugs.

NAC communications officer Tadiwa Pfupa said the decline in the deaths indicates that people are taking HIV projects, workshops and exhibitions seriously.

“Behaviour changes, use of anti-retroviral drugs, NAC projects and awareness campaigns have played a vital role in the reduction of death rates,” said Pfupa.

Adults HIV/Aids related deaths declined from 55,112 last year to 36,358 this year.

The number of deaths amongst children between zero and 14 years has also gone down from 8,741 last year to 6,176 this year.

A total of 69,105 new HIV infections across all age groups were recorded last year and 8,958 of those infected were children below the age of 14.

Bulawayo province recorded the highest HIV prevalence rate as well as the number of new infections last year.