The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate for Eastern Province has reduced from 10.6 percent in 2014 to 9.6 percent from last year to date.
Provincial AIDS Coordinating Advisor PACA, Emmanuel Chama confirmed this in Chipata yesterday during a media briefing on World VCT, Voluntary Counselling and Testing Day which falls on June 30th.
Mr. Chama attributed the HIV reduction to various measures such as the door to door VCT campaign, technical support and other concerted efforts by the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders.
And Mr. Chama says this year’s world VCT Day will take place in Chief Chanje’s area in Chipata.
He says this year’s World VCT Day, will be commemorated under the theme “HIV testing: key to reaching the 90, 90, 90 targets”.
Mr. Chama says that this means that by 2030, 90 percent of people in low and mid income countries should get tested and know how to care for themselves as well as receive treatment, care and support for those that will be found with the HIV virus.
The PACA urged people to know their status by getting tested for HIV.