Zim Metro

DANGER ZONE: Kwekwe Named HIV Hot Spot

KWEKWE town in Zimbabwe has been named an HIV hotspot indicating both high HIV prevalence and incidence based on estimates by the National Aids Council (NAC). 

Addressing Midlands provincial heads of government in Kwekwe yesterday, NAC monitoring and evaluation officer, Margret Mika, said the town needed behaviour change hence their decision to host World AIDS Day Commemorations in the district.  

She said Kwekwe recorded the second highest number of new HIV infections in the country after Mutare.

“According to the 2014 estimates, Kwekwe HIV prevalence is at 20.9 percent indicating a 0.3 percent increase compared to the 2012 estimates making it higher than both the provincial and national prevalence of 15 percent,” Mika said.

“Gweru is also leading in terms of higher prevalence, that is new and old cases. So we’ve chosen Kwekwe to host the event to raise awareness.”

She added, “When we host the event, Kwekwe will be put in the spotlight and attention will be on Kwekwe so that if there are challenges in the fight against the scourge, they will be put in the open.”

Mika said while the national HIV prevalence stands at 15 percent, Midlands’ prevalence is at 16.5 percent.

The Midlands province lies along the Great Dyke thus it is characterised by mining activities both formal and informal specifically in Kwekwe, Shurugwi, Mberengwa and Zvishavane.

The province is home to some big mines in the country including Unki, Mimosa, Todal Mine, Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Company and Zimasco which all employ thousands of workers who are sexually active. It is also the only province with a significant number of towns as compared to other provinces in the country.

“World Aids campaign objectives include raising and strengthening HIV and AIDS awareness. Call for action and commitment to HIV and AIDS national response, taking stock of progress made in the national response to HIV and AIDS and remembering the people who have passed on due to the scourge.”

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