Zimbabwe reports HIV/AIDS case decline
29/09/2009
New figures from Zimbabwe reveal a fall in the country's HIV infection rate.
The National Aids Council reports that the rate has dropped from 14.1 to 12.7 per cent within the past 12 months, as the country continues to tackle the spread of the virus by encouraging behavioural changes.
There has also been a fall in the number of pregnant women living with HIV from 17.7 to 16.1 per cent as a number of prevention programmes start to show signs of working.
However, the infection rate among the 15-24 years age group remains unchanged and there has been a rise in the number of young females contracting the virus.
Dr Henry Madzorera, health and child welfare minister, speaking to New Ziana, stressed the government must continue to focus on raising awareness.
"We have to redouble our efforts and commitment and keep the sense of hope that indeed one day we will get to the single digit prevalence," he added.
The first case of AIDS in Zimbabwe was reported in 1985.
Written by John Curtis. 
