Monday, November 11, 2024

Zambia: HIV testing now compulsory

Must read

Nigerian High Commission apartments in Ghana demolished

Some new apartments built at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana’s capital city Accra, have been demolished by bulldozers. The apartments have been constructed to...

Covid-19: Ghana records significant recovery numbers

Ghanaian health officials on Saturday said over 10,000 persons infected with the coronavirus have now recovered. The significant number of recoveries means the country now...

DR Congo: President’s ex-chief of staff jailed 20 years for corruption

The ex-chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been jailed 20 years by a high court. Vital Kamerhe was...

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s health minister arrested, charged for graft

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over corruption allegations related to procurement of medical equipment worth $60 million. Moyo is accused of illegally...
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

The President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu has announced that testing for HIV is now compulsory in the country.

According to Mr. Lungu testing, counselling and treatment for HIV which used to be voluntary is now a must for every citizen as the country struggles to address the high prevalence rate in Zambia.

Zambia’s National HIV Council revealed that the country has one of the highest prevalence rates in southern Africa with 11.6% of Zambian adults aged 15 to 49 years being HIV positive.

Mr. Lungu is hoping this new directive will enable his country to be Aids free by the year 2030.

“I must admit that there were some colleagues who felt that this policy would infringe on human rights but the no one has the right take away somebody’s life” President Lungu said when he launched the inaugural national HIV and Aids Counselling, Testing and Treatment day in the capital, Lusaka.

Lungu further said that “Just the same way we don’t consult you for consent when we are testing for malaria, we will go ahead and test you for HIV and we will counsel you and if you are positive, we will commence you on treatment,” 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS do not back compulsory counselling and testing.

The Zambia government said the country cannot eliminate the disease if people have to fall sick before going for treatment to save their lives.

 

Source: Africafeeds.com

- Advertisement -

More articles

- Advertisement -

Latest article

Nigerian High Commission apartments in Ghana demolished

Some new apartments built at the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana’s capital city Accra, have been demolished by bulldozers. The apartments have been constructed to...

Covid-19: Ghana records significant recovery numbers

Ghanaian health officials on Saturday said over 10,000 persons infected with the coronavirus have now recovered. The significant number of recoveries means the country now...

DR Congo: President’s ex-chief of staff jailed 20 years for corruption

The ex-chief of staff of the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been jailed 20 years by a high court. Vital Kamerhe was...

Covid-19: Zimbabwe’s health minister arrested, charged for graft

Zimbabwe's Health Minister Obadiah Moyo has been arrested over corruption allegations related to procurement of medical equipment worth $60 million. Moyo is accused of illegally...

Ghana’s new law that jails citizens not wearing facemask 10 years

Ghanaians who fail to wear the face masks in compliance with a presidential directive risk going to jail for ten years. They also face a...