University of Zambia Medical Library

HIV/AIDS in Zambia: December 1998

"UNDP Steps Up Home Care Services."
Times of Zambia, December 25, 1998

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with the Ministry of Health has stepped up the process to establish home care service projects, in Zambia. UNDP-HIV/AIDS representative, Margaret Mutambo, told the gathering at Kabwe Chapel that her organisation wanted to increase the capacity in the provision of services by various organisations.

Mrs Mutambo observed that currently there were many NGOs providing counselling and home care services which needed to be beefed up. She said with increased home care services and counselling the future for the over 80 per cent Zambians, who were not affected with HIV/AIDS was still bright. Through the projects, which UNDP would establish in all the nine provinces, both the current stigma attached to HIV/AIDS patients and the number of patients would be drastically reduced.

HIV/AIDS victims needed to be loved and cared for by their relatives who should first of all be trained and counselled by trained personnel. Mrs Mutambo said while the UNDP's role was to support the projects through the provision of some logistics respective district health management boards would facilitate and ensure the implementation of the programme.

Currently, similar projects were going on in Kasama, Mansa and Livingstone while in Mongu one would soon be launched following the Kabwe one. UNDP will provide a vehicle and computer as well as three resource persons, including one expatriate for the Kabwe project.

"AIDS Pandemic: Only Return to Morality Will Help Society." By Victor Kumwenda
The Daily Mail, December 22, 1998

Mwamba Lukoshi, a Mkushi peasant farmer, has endured untold misery since 1995. He has had to bury 15 of his children and grandchildren - all victims of the deadly AIDS virus. The tragedy that has struck Lukoshi's family will very soon be a common scenario in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa because of the fast rate at which AIDS is spreading in the region.

But one is bound to ask: Why is Africa, particularly the Sub-Saharan region, bearing the brunt of human misery and suffering compared to other parts of the world? There are various reasons that have led to Africa being the worst-hit, both in terms of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. According to the PANOS document on AIDS in Africa report, promiscuous sexual behaviour is the main reason behind the quick rate at which AIDS is ravaging the continent, simply because "sexual rules have largely broken down." And as the percentage of people afflicted with HIV infection rises steadily, the number that eventually get sick and die is likely to increase dramatically, leaving behind untold suffering and grief.

At the 1988 international AIDS conference in Stockholm, Sweden, it was predicted that in only a couple of years, there would be a frightening body-count. Since that prediction was made, statistics are starting to turn up as corpses - but the worst is yet to come. A recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the organ charged with the aspect of monitoring the spread of the disease around the globe, Sub-Saharan Africa had the largest HIV/AIDS-related infections estimated to be around 80 percent. But the report also noted that Uganda, which had been the worst hit state by the deadly disease, has made significant improvement in combating the spread of the disease which some researchers say has already claimed more lives than those killed throughout the last 17 years of civil war in Yoweri Museveni's country of Uganda. Also at the 1991 heads of Commonwealth Governments Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, seven years ago, leaders were shocked to learn that between 50 and 80 percent of hospital beds in most African countries were occupied by AIDS patients. Most researchers, including the World Health Organisation (WHO)) are convinced that official figures can not be relied upon because many countries, especially in Africa, have reported only a tenth of the cases which is only the tip of the iceberg.

In Zambia, for instance, it is yet to be seen whether the campaign which has been waged against AIDS is yielding positive results. It seems the best way to save our lives from this vicious and deadly disease does not lie much on the discovery of an AIDS cure or vaccine but a return to good moral behaviour. Dr Mark Herndricks, a South African immunologist was quoted as saying: "We do not need to spend billions of dollars on research and development, we need to return to morality."

No matter how much education awareness is conducted by SFH, Ministry of Health, the churches and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), people will continue to die as long as immorality takes root. Hugo Chimvuri (not real name), an international driver from Zimbabwe, admitted that truck routes are a major way through which AIDS is spread. A colleague of his said: "Wherever we go, we make sure there are girlfriends to look after us."

Even though Africa is the worst hit, the United States is in a crisis of its own, going by the warning from the Hudson Institute which foresees a catastrophe sweeping across America if a return to morality is ignored and an AIDS vaccine is not found soon. Dr Jonathan Mann, former WHO director, global programme on AIDS, had warned of a huge global spread of the disease in the 1990s. Cash-strapped Africa cannot cope up with it's medical problems as in many African countries the amount of money budgeted per person annually for health care is less than the cost of a single blood test for the AIDS virus. Already beleaguered by many tragedies, Africa is suffering again and the most tragic consequence of the plague of Africa is what has happened to women and children.

Mutinta is an innocent victim of AIDS. She got infected with the virus through her promiscuous husband. She is now a widow at 30. "I am still trying to rationalise whether to love his memory or to hate him for infecting me," she muses. Mutinta's sentiments are typical of the intense pain and suffering that AIDS inflicts upon its innocent victims, especially women who are left with the burden of looking after the children. And the most tragic mark left by AIDS are children. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that as many as 2.9 million women died of AIDS in Africa this decade. The agency also estimates that up to 5.5 million children will be orphaned.

It has also been said that poverty is the most important predictor of HIV infection and the spread of the virus because HIV/AIDS thrives on poverty, particularly for women. Being impoverished may make them vulnerable and less able to negotiate for safer sex with their partners or they may engage in sex for monetary gain. Given the long incubation period of AIDS, young persons contemplating marriage should also be careful before committing themselves to marrying someone who has a morally dubious past and take precaution of being tested for HIV/AIDS before they get married.

Although it appears that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is out of control, it has been shown that it is possible to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa and the whole world if all the stakeholders fully commit themselves to this cause and pull their resources together. With genuine commitment stemming from political will and leadership coupled with adequate resources and good coordination among government, NGO and private stakeholders, the further spread of HIV/AIDS and its effects can be mitigated.

In reality, as long as there is AIDS in Africa and indeed the rest of the world, it is innocent victims, especially children and spouses, who will continue to bear the brunt of suffering.

"Africa's 'High' AIDS Figures Disputed." By Masautso Chipako
Times of Zambia, December 15, 1998

"Not contented with all the honourables, worshipfuls, reverends, and a thousand other proud epithets which they exact of the poor, and for which they give in return nothing but dirt, scrub, mob, and such like . . ." This was an insight in Henry Fielding's The Poor and their Betters (1752), in which he describes the overbearance of the rich over the poor, acclaiming themselves the comparative of the adjective of good Ñ better. Fielding observed that the rich and betters consider it discourteous and an affront for the poor to exert their own wishes.

His observation now finds its way in what has become probably the fraught- with-frustrations struggle in the scientific and medical fields. The quest for the HIV and AIDS cure has seen diverse successes in repressing substances, but no panacea is in sight. Not yet anyway. Admittedly or not, the West and the betters claims that statistics indicate a high prevalence of the AIDS scourge in the developing world as opposed to the positive changes in the developed countries.

"We are not that smart. It is unfortunately a problem for the have nots," said Dr Richard Marlink from Washington, executive director of the Harvard AIDS Institute, also head of the Enhancing Care Initiatives, in a December 1 question and answer Worldnet dialogue programme to commemorate World AIDS day. Of the 1.5m victims claimed by AIDS in 1996, it is said, 90 per cent were from the developing countries and that two-thirds of the infected 30m globally are in Southern Africa. To say that the statement is alarmist and seems a product of the prophets of doom is an understatement in its absurdity.

Contradicting these claims, Andreas Mukwemba, a Lusaka pharmacist, said it was difficult to imagine that the AIDS figures could be so high in Southern Africa when it had no drug abuse problems. "We have known for a long time that the AIDS problem is directly related to drug abuse. And most of these developed countries like America, do have a drug problem."

"This is compounded by the use of hypordemic needles and other unsterile sharp objects. On this basis, it is quite inconceivable to say that we have a high prevalence of the problem, unless they are suggesting that our sexual behaviour leaves much to be desired," he said, adding "but that is not the case, their morals speak for them. Some of these so-called developed countries, do actually have high prostitution rates."

And speaking on the same forum Worldnet dialogue, December 1 Mead Overs, senior economist at the World Bank charged that in spite of economic difficulties, it was every government's responsibility to provide adequate and equal health care for all including HIV patients. "Governments have a fundamental responsibility to give health care. There should be equal access to health for people with HIV. But the obtaining situation is that most governments have not taken the lead. "Governments must also take responsibility for promoting safer sex in reckless sex groups by making condoms available," he said.

On the other hand, how will governments in developing countries contain the scourge while at the same time shackled by the manacles of heavy foreign debts, insurmountable social problems such as; street kids, epidemics control, unemployment, social security and various other econo-political complexities? "While it is right to call on developing nations' governments' responsibility in providing quality health care for all including people living with HIV, how are they to cope while already burdened by the Structural Adjustment Programme (which has since graduated into ESAF, the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility) and many other social obligations? What are the World Bank and IMF doing to assist these governments?" questioned Elizabeth Mataka, executive director of the Family Health Trust.

In responding, Mead Overs, the World Bank economist, said that the World Bank provides loans at low interests. Low interests? hey, come on . . . Isn't this what most under-developed countries want to run away from? Low interests, just how low is low? It is a known fact that the low interests in time culminate into high interests and adversely affect national development programmes. For a moment, the discussion drifts to governments' abilities to deal with the HIV/AIDS problem, though the underlining reality is still that Southern African countries, where health demographers claim the pandemic is spreading at an alarming speed, are not able to cope due to the huge debts against enormous priorities.

However, Dr Marlink said it is about time that attention was shifted from the cure-search and concentrate on prevention. He describes the care initiative his team is using to lend a 'human face to the problem'. "This initiative is a treatment for the disease. It involves the improving of care of AIDS patients. It has long been accepted that improved care improves the quality of life, therefore extending life span. This should, however, include the haves and have nots," said Dr Marlink. And even more statistics, seemingly to highlight the sexual promiscuity of the African, it is said that at least one out of five adults is infected with the virus.

The other problem in Zambia, Mrs Mataka pointed out, is that of voluntary testing, "how have other countries motivated people to volunteer? Here, people appear to be saying they would rather not know their status." In a follow up discussion programme, Africa Journal , Joao Baptista Soares, a consultant at the US-based International Health Consultants, said that Africans have full knowledge of AIDS, but wondered how African governments claim to have no money to fight the scourge however spending billions on military armaments.

"Africa, why should we spend billions on guns, and we cannot fight AIDS?" Soares attributed the high AIDS rate in Africa to polygamous marriages and multiple sex partners. Further adding that women must be empowered to promote safer sex and force men to use condoms. "Cultural beliefs also play a role in this problem. It seems to encourage men of their machismo. Women should be educated to take care of their lives," he said.

However, even after more than two decades of fighting the 'slim', the notion among some Africans that the virus was manufactured in a laboratory in the US to annihilate the black race is still believed. A Kenyan journalist asked the Worldnet expert panel: "Is it true that the HIV was manufactured in a lab to annihilate the black race?" No answer.

But whether the concept holds any truth, its near-validity is seen in the attitude of the developed world on AIDS to the African. "They do a lot of crazy things in Africa, like sexual intercourse with a pig, dog, monkey or anything, so you cannot be surprised that AIDS is so high there," wrote an anonymous American critic. . .

"AIDS Scourge Not a Joke."
Times of Zambia, December 12, 1998

The prevention of HIV/AIDS requires a dynamic, aggressive and well motivated society as the epidemic is growing at a fast rate. This disease is a human scourge, a calamity and to some extent a curse and can only be reversed by careful check on the morality of the nation. Unless we address ourselves to the real issues of this killer epidemic, Zambia and the world at large is heading for a disaster or what I prefer to call an orphan explosion.

The revelation that age groups of between 18 and 24 are more susceptible to the disease depicts a picture of doom for a country which requires future leadership to salvage it from the current economic quagmire. The staggering figures of infected persons and the rate at which this is sky-rocketing requires serious steps to redress this calamity. AIDS in Zambia is even more serious than the absence of donor aid, more serious than poverty and it must be given a serious consideration and attention by all sections of society.

In addressing these issues, I have attempted to show in several ways and methods how pragmatic we can handle this epidemic in Zambia. I believe the condom promotes sex and immorality. The theme of "it's my life, it's my choice..." is a blasphemy to Christian teaching and values as God alone is the Supreme master of our life and destiny. Zambia is a Christian nation and must be seen to operate within the confines of the Bible and any deviations from the holy truth must be condemned outright.

Politicians must come together and put HIV/AIDS on the top of the agenda at all fora. We need maximum awareness on radio and television, door-to-door vigorous campaigns by medical personnel, experts and well-informed volunteers. There is need for ethical behavioural pattern and conduct in our society, an emphasis on the benefits of voluntary tests, believers must also undergo compulsory tests.

All social workers in AIDS centres and those promoting the campaign must be tested, extend AIDS test centres into the community, mount propaganda units in all public places and make it compulsory for bar owners and proprietors to have informative posters on AIDS. I see the AIDS endemic gobbling up the entire population if it is not checked now.

FRANK MUSONDA; Lusaka.

"Chiluba Cautions Against Carbon Copying Western Norms."
Times of Zambia, December 12, 1998

President Chiluba yesterday cautioned Zambians against indiscriminate imitation of Western cultural norms and values in pursuit of gender equality. Mr Chiluba who was opening a national gender policy symposium in Lusaka yesterday, said gender issues should be set in Zambia's own context and not those replicated entirely from the West.

The gender policy should not be a wholesale document of Western cultural systems but must be a basis for sustainable development. Anything copied from the West should only be to the extent of fostering national development. Zambia must set its own standards and follow a pace which should be in line with the country's aspirations. The civil society, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the church and Government should work out a proper mechanism which would ensure equitable participation in national development.

"At the time Zambia is devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic it is an inescapable reality to ensure there is reform in so far as the gender policy is concerned. "Restricting participation of women in the social, political and economic fields is retrogressive hence the MMD manifesto outlines the need to have gender balance. We need a gender-sensitive society," Mr Chiluba said.

Women should not be subjected to dehumanising treatment by people with twisted minds. Education of the girl-child should be cardinal in pursuance of empowering women. The tendency of letting girl children drop out of school before they reached tertiary levels should be discouraged. The President said women played a pivotal role in mitigating deforestation and desertification which was one of the major things affecting economic development. Women would therefore play a big role in ensuring deforestation was reversed. Women were equally important in improving the agricultural and commercial sectors, health and other areas of the economy.

Non-governmental organisations coordinating committee (NGOCC) chairperson Inonge Wina prodded Government to spell out equitable sharing of posts in socio-economic and political areas at all levels to ensure women had a say in governance. She said the women movement was unhappy with the country's Constitution which is biased against them in several respects.

The Constitution should embody changes in the customary law and set caveats and benchmarks which should be acceptable to all. The political system had neglected women and poverty levels have risen to an extent of impinging on productivity. "The national gender policy should be a document which must be owned by all Zambians irrespective of their political affiliations. Women have become weak and vulnerable to HIV due to rampant prostitution. Government must take food security as a priority," she said.

"Zambia Will Have Over a Million Orphans in '99." By Sheikh Chifuwe
The Post, December 11, 1998

Over a million Zambian children will be orphaned by the end of next year, the highest proportion in the world. A United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) state of the World's children report has revealed that Zambia had an estimated 400,000 orphaned children between the ages of 6 - 14 in 1996 and at the rate the number was growing, the country would have the highest proportion of the orphaned children in the world.

"Zambia has the unenviable distinction of having the highest proportion of orphaned children in the world. The number of orphans is growing more quickly than had been projected and is posing a problem that is taxing the coping strategies of families and society at large," reads part of the report which was launched on Tuesday. The report states that eight million children in sub Saharan Africa, with Zambia recording the highest number, will have lost their mothers or both parents to AIDS.

The report states that there is need to ensure the right of orphans to education especially that the levels of learning achievements in Zambia are low, with only one quarter of those in grade 6 showing the levels of reading ability expected by their teachers. The report also observes that the recurring and persistent hunger and poor hygiene practices also have negative effects on what the schools can accomplish and impairs the effectiveness of teachers and children. "The magnitude of the problem and the continued growth in the number of orphans point to the need for a national level policy, a strategic plan and adequate financial support for dealing with the orphan crisis," says the report in part.

"Personal grief Turns Woman Into AIDS Campaigner." By Amos Chanda
The Daily Mail, December 9, 1998

Lusaka Diocese Catholic Archbishop Merdardo Mazombwe described her as a caring mother of the sick. The kind of person a troubled generation needs, he said of Pola Vander Donck, a humanitarian from the Netherlands who has given her life to helping AIDS patients and orphans in Africa. She has built a hospice for AIDS patients in Chilanga, will open another in Lusaka's Kamwala area, and, a multi-million children's village complex in the eastern outskirts of Lusaka.

She is a philanthropist whose life took a critical turn when her younger brother died of AIDS in 1985. The passing of a man she loved so much was the turning point that changed her whole life. The 71-year-old woman dedicated the remaining years of her life to doing nothing but caring for AIDS patients in Africa, where she fears the disease will take a disastrous toll on humanity.

She has chosen Zambia as the focal point of her charity work to reduce the burden of suffering that the disease has wrought on its victims. Since 1985, she has made several trips between Africa and the Netherlands to set up institutions that mitigate the suffering of AIDS patients. She mobilises funds in her country and brings the money to Africa.

In an emotional account of the troubles she went through as a lone care-taker for her late brother who died of AIDS in 1985, Ms Vander Donck believes AIDS patients need love and help. According to her, the demise of her brother provoked her mind into developing a philosophy that "sick people need the greatest care from families, friends and the community at large." In a moving personal account in the form of a book: My Brother Martin, she outlines the dilemmas of caring for the sick and the need for special care for them as the only way to grant them a decent departure.

Realising that the AIDS scourge was impacting more on the Third World countries, she has chosen Zambia as her launch-pad for AIDS patients' care and prevention of the spread of the disease. On October 2 last year, she commissioned the Mother Care AIDS Hospice in Chilanga, which is a dedication to her late brother Martin. In May next year, she is scheduled to open another AIDS hospice which is at roof level in Kamwala township. And realising that AIDS patients leave behind orphans who face hard times to survive, Ms Vander Donck will open a children's village complex east of Lusaka.

On December 1, during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day, she was in Zambia to share her "concerns with patients admitted to the Chilanga hospice" which is run by the Chilanga Catholic Parish. Lusaka Archbishop Merdardo Mazombwe was delighted to receive her and paid tribute to her for the assistance that she continues to render to AIDS patients. He said the work of caring for the sick at the hospice did not only assist the patients, but also lessened the burden on their families. He described her as a "loving mother and rare personality in a world of suffering and inadequacy." "This is our mother. She is one of the few that could take the trouble to help the sick with no personal benefit at all. I remember last year when she came to open this hospice, she called for community support to assist our sick brothers and sisters," said Archbishop Mazombwe.

The clergyman called for community realisation that the AIDS pandemic was a social problem that affected everyone, whether infected or not. He said the social problems of the pandemic did not choose who to affect. "God uses human beings as instruments to help the sick. God will ask us to account for what we did for the sick, so let us help one another," he said. He said the kind of culture being created by people like the Dutch woman was one that would transform people's attitudes towards care for patients which, not too long ago, was negative.

"The Christian community must come to this hospice and help our AIDS patients who can not do most of the things on their own," he said. Ms Vander Donck said her experiences during the illness of her brother Martin taught her many things about sickness, especially due to HIV infection. "The death of my brother means a lot. He did not die for nothing. It was for a purpose. From that time, I have undertaken various programmes to educate society on how best to care for AIDS patients. These unfortunate friends of ours need care and we must accord them a decent farewell," she said.

She contends that the only way to fight AIDS and its effects is to accept its existence and accept also that relatives who are suffering from it are just as ordinary as any other patients. She also called for greater responsibility on the part of every individual to avoid infection. She said irresponsibility was what was resulting in the high numbers of new infections which could easily be avoided. "I will never forget what I have seen today. Even when I die, I will die with memories of that woman who I did not think could stand up, but she did so very energetically and danced for me. That I will never forget," she said of a sick woman who, for months, had been confined to her bed in the hospice.

When this terminally ill woman saw Ms Vander Donck, she got out of bed and went to the stage to dance as `the good Samaritan' delivered her World AIDS Day message to the patients. The love for humanity and the grief she experienced at the death of her brother is the basis of her humanitarian work.

"Emmasdale AIDS Centre Locks Out Its Workers." By Kelvin Shimo
The Post, December 3, 1998

An AIDS research and counselling centre in Lusaka's Emmasdale area, Project San Francisco, has locked out its over 70 workers for the past three days. A Project San Francisco worker said he found the premises locked on Monday and no reason had been given to them. A check at Project San Francisco offices yesterday found a notice at the entrance informing the workers that their fate would be determined by December 7, 1998.

"You will be notified whether the project would continue or not," the notice read in part. Project San Francisco was headed by Robert Macdonald William who is the project manager and was currently on vacation in the United States. Ulgen Federi, the laboratory manager, is currently in charge but could not be reached for comment on the fate of the workers. Last week Project San Francisco workers sent a complaint to the Immigration department urging them not to renew William and Federi's work permits because of the poor working relationship between them and the project managers.

Immigration spokesperson, Catherine Poso, confirmed receiving the complaint. "We don't know whether the work stoppage is connected to the complaint the workers brought here," she said. "In fact the same complaint was sent to the Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Legal Affairs. So I don't know anything about the work stoppage" Poso said Federi's work permit had been renewed and William's was still valid.

"Intensify AIDS Campaign - Permsec."
Times of Zambia, December 3, 1998

North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Maybin Mubanga has appealed to the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in AIDS programmes to intensify their campaign through rural health centres, schools, churches and communities.

Officiating at this year's commemoration of World AIDS Day with the theme "a force for change" in Solwezi, Mr Mubanga requested the gathering to do everything possible to help change the sexual behaviour of youths if this year's theme was to be realised. He said behavioural change was not the duty of Government alone but it took efforts of NGOs, business community, families and individuals themselves as well.

Mr Mubanga said since the modern science had not yet discovered the drug to cure AIDS, the only drug available was self-respect and behavioural change through health education. "May I appeal to the Ministry of Health and all NGOs who are involved in AIDS programmes to intensify their campaign in their centres, schools, churches and communities," he said. Mr Mubanga noted that North-Western Province like any other province was badly hit by AIDS. It was being robbed of skilled manpower in Government and the private sector.

The most affected age group was from 15 to 30 years. He said if the fast spreading pandemic was not controlled, Zambia would be a country of widows, widowers and orphans. And Livingstone district has the highest HIV prevalence rate at 28 per cent more than the national figure of 20 and the youth have been urged to be in the forefront to combat the spread of the pandemic. Livingstone District Health Board chairperson Anakoka Wamulume addressing hundreds of youths drawn from the streets and schools at the Victoria hall, urged the young people to take the challenge to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.

"In Zambia HIV prevalence is at 20 per cent, while the prevalence rate for Livingstone stands at 28 making it the leading town in Zambia. "I challenge you the youth to lead the battle in fighting the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Livingstone, the province and the country.

And district director of health Dr Jelita Chinyonga said her district had trained peer educators who were operating from the townships to sensitise other young people on how to prevent the HIV/AIDS scourge. Many peer educators have been trained at workshops organised and sponsored by Care International, Planned Parenthood Association, Young Women Christian Association, (YWCA) and the Society for Family Health.

"AIDS Day Commemorated." By Kelvin Shimo
The Post, December 2, 1998

Zambia is one of the countries in sub-sahara Africa that had been most affected by the problem of orphans due to HIV/AIDS, United Nations resident co-ordinator, Olubanke Kingakerele, said yesterday.

Kingakerele at the commemoration of the World AIDS day which fell yesterday under the theme, Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign with young people , at Lusaka's Civic Centre said Zambia had a prospect of having more than 600,000 orphans by the turn of the century. She said according to the available statistics, there would be over 35 million orphans in the world, out of which 30 million would be in Sub-Sahara Africa.

"All of us, the UN system, the NGO's, the churches, the government and the private sector need to mobilise resources to ensure that the orphans obtain an education and other services," she said. She noted that those hard hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic were those in the 10-24 years age group. "The reason is that young people make experimentation and are more recipient to new ideas," Kingakerele said. "Five million people are affected every year, since the beginning of this decade."

Guest of honour at the commemoration ceremony, sports and child development minister, William Harrington, said the barrage of advertisement on youths using sex symbols to sell goods had contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Harrington said the pandemic had affected Zambia's efforts for development. "The growing number of orphans and helpless street children have brought new problems," he said. He said that Zambia would be hosting the next International Conference on AIDS and STD in Africa called 'ICASA.' He advised society to remove the negative social stigma attached to those living with HIV/AIDS.

"Zambian AIDS Orphans To Reach 600,000 by 2000." By Brighton Phiri
Times of Zambia, December 2, 1998

Zambia should immediately start preparations for the care of at least 600,000 AIDS orphans in the next two years, the United Nations (UN) said in Lusaka yesterday. Speaking during the commemoration of World AIDS Day, UN resident representative Olubanke King-Akerele said Zambia should start mobilising resources to educate and care for the AIDS orphans.

Ms King-Akerele said there would be at least 35m AIDS orphans by the year 2000 of whom 30m would come from Sub-Saharan Africa and Zambia alone contributing 600,000 children who would be destitutes if not cared for. "Government, NGOs, the church, service clubs, the business community, international donors and indeed everybody else must start preparing now for the orphans. We need to mobilise resources," she said.

She challenged the media in the country to help demystify AIDS and encourage discussions on sexuality as part of the fight against the scourge. The UN recognised Zambia's efforts against HIV/AIDS and would continue offering support to programmes against the spread of the killer virus and disease which were a threat to humanity.

Speaking after an anti-AIDS march, Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister William Harrington said the impact of AIDS on the economy was already being felt with the rise of infection figures. Mr Harrington said young people were at the greatest risk of contracting HIVwhich caused AIDS and called on them not to experiment with unsafe sex to avoid contracting the deadly virus. He stressed that the march which was flagged off by Health Minister Nkandu Luo needed to serve as a reminder that everybody was at risk of AIDS which could only be contained by change of sexual behaviour.

Reigning Miss Zambia Chisala Chibesa said the young held the key to breaking the spread of HIV and urged fellow youths to fight against AIDS. Self-confessed HIV positive youth Winston Zulu encouraged those intending to marry to take HIV tests saying a lot of people got infected from their partners in marriage. Earlier Deputy Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister Elizabeth Chitika said during a candle light service at Roma Catholic parish that the young needed to be recognised in the fight against AIDS.

Meanwhile, the Zambia National Federation for the Blind (ZNFB) and the Concerned Youths Association of Zambia (CYAZ) yesterday called for change of social behaviour to curb the spread of AIDS. ZNFB vice-secretary general Wamundila Waluiya warned that all those in the sexually active age group of the estimated 90,000 disabled persons living in Zambia risked getting HIV in the next 10 years. Mr Waluiya said the myth that disabled persons were sexually inactive had been discarded and such persons were now a very sexually active fraction of the population who were vulnerable to HIV infection.

CYAZ general secretary Muzungu Mukubesa appealed to youths in the country to refrain from acts of immorality which were largely responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS.

"Zambian Youth Tackle AIDS."
Times of Zambia, December 1, 1998

The statistics on HIV/AIDS are frightening and things are getting worse. Estimates show that one in five Zambians of reproductive age is HIV positive and that by the end of 1998, the infection rate in the country will have risen to 15 per cent in rural areas and double that in urban centres. The infection is fairly evenly spread among the age groups, but recent studies have shown that the youths are especially vulnerable.

Musenge Chanda was a pretty 17-year-old when she fell madly in love. Soon she became pregnant and had to drop out of school in grade 10. Against her parents advice, she decided to marry the father of her child and for two years, they lived a wonderful life. "We loved each other very much and we were so happy. But in January 1995, he started getting sick. At first it was athritis and then they said he was asthmatic. In January 1996, we decided to take the HIV test at Project San Francisco. We both tested positive," says Musenge.

But the couple refused to accept the results of the test. They had heard but did not believe that you can't tell that someone is infected just by looking at them. "We didn't believe we were HIV positive because we both looked okay. So we told ourselves that there was something wrong with the testing procedure," remembers Musenge with a laugh.

They were both terribly wrong. Musenge who was expecting their second child soon miscarried and her husband developed tuberculosis. In August 1997, the couple decided to take a second test and when they got the results, they felt as though it was the end of the world."We thought we would die there and then and the thought of leaving my poor baby alone almost drove me crazy. It was so hard to accept that we were HIV positive. "The world looked so small and if it wasn't for the counselling, we would have given up on life," she recalls.

The counsellor told them that they could live up to 15 years despite their status and advised them to visit Hope House, the Kara Counselling centre which brings together many people who are HIV positive. There, they met new friends who shared their personal experiences with them. Unfortunately for Musenge, her husband died on December 26 1997: she was a widow at 20.

In the face of such adversity, the young people of Zambia have gone all out to combat the HIV/AIDS problem. Their outreach programmes range from youth camp meetings at which they teach their peers to follow a safer lifestyle, to public lectures and demonstrations about HIV/AIDS. Their Anti-AIDS campaign reaches a climax during World AIDS Day on December 1. This year, their efforts will be boosted by the arrival of the Red Ribbon Campaign.

"The youth of Zambia are joining others around the world to bring attention to HIV/AIDS. Look for the Red Ribbons and wear one to create awareness of aids and get people to talk about it," says Mr. Alex Katambala of the Red Ribbon Campaign in Zambia. He adds "To deal with AIDS, we must talk about it openly. How can we expect people to change their behaviour when we can't admit that AIDS is a problem. The Red Ribbon will help us break the silence."

Twenty-three-year-old Matthew Mitti who discovered that he was HIV positive in November 1997 and is now a full time educator at Hope House says it is very important for the anti-AIDS campaign to succeed. "There is need for us to help so that this virus thing doesn't go any further. We must prevent those that are free of the virus from getting it and give hope to those who are positive to live a long and fruitful life." Mitti's group has travelled as far afield as Zambezi in North Western Province and has found their audiences very responsive.

"After our lectures and demonstrations, we exchange personal experiences and this has proved very popular with the people. I believe we are making an impact because of the interest which we have generated during these meetings," says Mitti.

Other groups such as the Youth Activist Organisation (YAO) and Trendsetters have targetted age groups of 14 to 24 and 15 to 29 respectively. Whereas YAO targets both rural and urban youths, Trendsetters aims at young people in urban areas. But their message is the same:
"To empower young people by giving them information that will enable them to live positive and fruitful lives," says Mary Phiri of the Trendsetters. Adds YAO's Holo Hachonda: "We try to motivate youth's in anti-AIDS clubs to actively participate in Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS campaigns and encourage them to utilise the existing youth friendly health services and activities that support behavior change."

YAO works with five churches in Lusaka on a reproductive health and family awareness campaign and has so far reached 250 youths. In addition, they work with schools and communities on male involvement in reproductive health and family planning by using football as a medium for reaching them. "We have taught 150 youths reproductive health and decision making skills in Chongwe, Kafue and Nchelenge in addition to football skills," says Hachonda.

The Youth Activists are currently working on a curriculum to improve peer educators facilitation of basic communication skills and project planning, implementation, management and evaluation. Many other groups such as the Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ) also have youth activist organisations trying to change the behaviour of young people through the teachings of the bible. They have discovered that young people tend to be more responsive to their peers than to older people.

"The young people are more responsive to us because they are our age mates and tend to be more open when discussing issues with us. This is because there are certain topics which they can discuss with us but not with their elders," says Mwamba Chasaya, a youth activist at CCZ. She adds," As a result, we have been quite successful in our programmes. The change is gradual and takes time, but we get there eventually."

HEALTH TIPS:

• Delay sexual activity: there is plenty of time to be grown up. Enjoy your youth.
• Protect yourself if you are sexually active: use a condom . Limit the number of sexual partners that you have. It is best to stick to one partner
• Go to clinics where there are youth friendly services and learn how you can protect yourself from HIV/AIDS.

To Your Health is brought to you by the Central Board of Health. In addition, please tune in to ZNBC's Health Beat on Television during News Hour on Mondays and Fridays and on Radio 2. For more information on this and any Health topic, please write to:

To Your Health, Central Board of Health
P.O. Box 32588, Lusaka.

"Health reforms now: It's you and me for better health"

"Discuss AIDS Openly."
Times of Zambia, December 1, 1998

A United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative Peter McDermott yesterday said HIV/AIDS should be discussed openly in offices and homes if its impact is to be reduced. Mr Dermott said at a family awareness fair at the UN building in Lusaka that discussing HIV/AIDS openly was the only solution to stop the spread of the incurable disease. Young people particularly should be enlightened on the dangers of the AIDS pandemic as they are the most vulnerable group.

"Young people aged between 10-24 constitute nearly one third of all the population in the developing world where the epidemic is concentrated. If prevention is not successful in this age group, developing countries will face very serious human and economic problems in future including large numbers of adult AIDS cases." Parents and other adult family members should help build self confidence from early age. With the help of adults young people can change the course of the epidemic.

Youth, Sport and Child Development Deputy Minister Elizabeth Chitika said Government would work with all co-operating partners to ensure HIV/AIDS effects were reduced. Youths were the pillars of Zambia and focus in mitigating the HIV/AIDS problem should be focused on them. Ms Chitika said it was important for parents to counsel their children on HIV/AIDS. Government had a stake in the pandemic and work with all interest groups and organisations.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Omoefe Oyaide observed that HIV/AIDS awareness at work places was part of the UN system wide effort in mitigating effects of the disease.

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Last updated December 29, 1998

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