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Yoliswa Dube Features Reporter
The HIV mantra- zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths -has proved to be a game changer in the fight against HIV and Aids. Statistics show that there is a whole generation of children who are born HIV free courtesy of advances in medical science and effective programming.The mantra has brought about a number of positives to Zimbabwe at a time when the country prepares to host the 18th International Conference on Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (Icasa) in Harare this month.

In the last 15 years, countries with major epidemics in Sub Saharan Africa such as Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe have seen the life expectancy of people living with HIV going up from 36 years to 55 years or more.

According to statistics, in 2001, there were 580,000 new HIV infections among children in Sub-Saharan Africa annually but by 2014, the figure had come down to 220,000. The number of people on anti-retroviral treatment has gone up from 1 million to more than 15 million on the continent. People are now living longer and healthier lives.

The cost of anti-retroviral medicines has come down from $10,000 in 2001 to $100 for first-line regiments in 2014. In 2001, 3 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa were infected with HIV compared to 2 million last year. The time it takes to process a rapid HIV test has shrunk from three days to less than 30 minutes.

In 2001, only 400 million condoms were procured in Sub-Saharan Africa but by 2014, the figure had more than quadrupled to 1,7 billion. Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, commended the country for the steady progress in HIV interventions.

“Zimbabwe has a long history in the response to HIV and Aids. As one of the countries severely affected by the pandemic, we have recorded some internationally acclaimed milestones particularly in the reduction of both HIV incidence and prevalence,” said the minister. Dr Parirenyatwa said HIV response has also included the scaling up of access to treatment despite the difficult economic conditions.

“Our leadership role as a pathfinder in domestic financing for HIV through our Aids levy, which has now been recorded and shared as an international best practice, has also been a key aspect of HIV response,” he said. Dr Parirenyatwa said the response to HIV and Aids has been closely linked with efforts to end co-morbidities such as TB and cancer as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

Statistics show that tuberculosis-related deaths have declined from 520,000 to 348,000 while Aids related deaths have declined from 2 million in 2001 to 1,2 million last year.

The number of countries with travel restrictions for people living with HIV has come down from 59 to 42 with investments in Aids response having increased from $4,5 billion in 2001 to $21,7 billion in 2015.

Executive Director of UNAids, Michel Sidibé’s vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths has echoed around the world. “Every person living with HIV should have immediate access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy. Delaying access to HIV treatment under any pretext is denying the right to health,” said Sidibé.

The global goal is to achieve a zero percent HIV prevalence rate by 2020 and end Aids by 2030. Zimbabwe is among 83 countries globally which have slowed down their HIV epidemics in terms of new cases and deaths. This is an encouraging feat taking into consideration the number of children orphaned by the epidemic.

Icasa, set to convene in the capital from November 29 to December 4, will present various players in the fight to combat HIV an opportunity to share the latest scientific advances, discuss policy and learn from one another’s expertise.

The International Aids and STIs conference will be held at the Harare International Conference Centre under the theme: “Aids in the post 2015 era: Linking leadership, science and human rights.” It will be an opportunity to develop strategies for advancing collective efforts to treat and prevent HIV.

Icasa Communications Officer for the local secretariat, Walter Mawere, said the 18th Icasa is an opportunity to renew the global commitment of ending Aids by 2030 by drawing the world’s attention to the fact that the legacy is now under threat as a result of the global economic downturn.

“This year’s Icasa is an opportunity for the international community, and all Africans, to join efforts in committing to achieving an Aids-free Africa. Given the urgency of the issue, we are anticipating 4,000 to 5,000 of the world’s leading scientists, policy makers, activists, government leaders as well as a number of heads of state and civil society representatives to join the debate on how to achieve this vision,” said Mawere.

He said delegates would benefit from Zimbabwe’s efforts and challenges as well as those of the entire African region as the country moves towards ending Aids by 2030.

“Not only will Icasa bring a significant benefit economically to Zimbabwe in terms of tourism and other business but it will also provide a platform for Zimbabwean scientists, activists and everyone involved in Aids response to showcase the work they have been doing towards Aids response for the past 30 years,” said Mawere.

Aids interventions have benefited health systems and development outcomes, reduced maternal mortality and increased access to sexual and reproductive health services. Zimbabwe is among the countries that have increased domestic spending on HIV response programmes by more than 100 percent.

Between 2000 and 2014, a total of $113 billion was invested in Aids response in Sub-Saharan Africa but the bulk of these resources came from external sources. Domestic financing accounted for only 35 percent ($39,5 billion) of total funding. The convening of Icasa 2015 in Zimbabwe represents an opportunity to highlight the HIV pandemic in Africa and the diverse and unique responses to it.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids, UNAids, leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero Aids-related deaths. Africa aims at reaching this goal through the 90-90-90 target which entails that 90 percent of the population knows its status, 90 percent are on antiretroviral treatment and 90 percent have a suppressed viral load.

Southern Africa is the region’s most affected by HIV world-wide with prevalence rates pegged at between 10 and 40 percent of the adult population.

Zimbabwe is the only country in the region where HIV prevalence has declined substantially at national level.

“Getting to zero is the aspiration that UNAids, Zimbabwe and other countries have embraced. It’s a long term vision that no one dies of Aids and that there are no new infections. Our actions should be towards achieving this vision,” said Michael Bartos, UNAids Zimbabwe country director.

He said there were a number of things that were necessary in getting HIV prevalence to zero percent.

“This will entail getting people on effective HIV treatment such that they can have a normal life span. There is still progress to be made to put people on treatment. The effectiveness of treatment is very important. If treatment fails it should be adjusted so that someone does not develop Aids. We need to make sure there are no new infections and young women are not involved in risky sex,” said Bartos.

Making sure condoms are readily available and keeping a social dialogue about HIV/Aids rolling is important, he said. Bartos said preventing mother to child transmission of HIV by administering antiretroviral was also vital to the vision of getting to zero. He said: “Male circumcision, although it doesn’t eliminate the risk of contracting HIV, reduces it. Intensive work is being done among sex workers as there is considerable sex work taking place in the country.

“Interventions are much larger with regards to infection prevention. We are trying to make sure that those infected with HIV get treatment and make sure its effective. Zimbabwe has multi-sectorial response to HIV and these different sectors need to play their part.”