University of Zambia Medical Library

HIV/AIDS in Zambia: April - May 2000

Cervical cancer : The silent woman killer Zambia Daily Mail, Monday, May 29, 2000 By LARRY MOONZE IT is now common knowledge that unsafe sex is a source of ailments in Sub-Saharan Africa, Zambia included. For instance HIV/AIDS, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infection)s, mother to child transmission of HIV, the most deadly epidemics afflicting humanity today are a product of sexual habits. There is yet another silent killer disease ravaging women - cervical cancer. The malignant (deadly) tumour invades the neck of the uterus. Cervical cancer is according to POPLINE reports, a major public health problem. It is the second most common cancer in women world wide, after breast cancer. While the incidence of cervical cancer has been reduced by about 75 percent between the 1940s and 1980s, the disease is serious and remains a leading cause of all reported cancer deaths. Cervical cancer is common in Zambia among the sexually active young women. HIV has compounded the problem. HIV infection, especially HIV-2 has made cancer of the cervix the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many regions across the globe. Recent epidemiological studies reveal over and over again that cervical cancer is sexually transmitted and the causative agent is the human papilloma virus (HPV). As gynaecologic conditions associated with HIV infection are attracting attention, of particular interest is the connection between HIV and cervical cancer. A report entitled The Global Aids Policy Coalition affirms that most cervical cancer cases in HIV-infected women include a history of human papilloma virus infection. "It is believed that HIV infected women are more susceptible to cervical dysplasia and more likely to progress to invasive cervical carcinoma", the report says. In fact, invasive cervical cancer is a likely clinical indicator of Acquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome in resource poor countries. HPV is not a sufficient cause of this malignancy; certain co-factors are necessary for a proportion of HPV persistent infections to eventually progress to cancer. These include host factors such as immunological response, hormonal influences and infections with other sexually transmitted agents such as Chlamydia trachomatics. For example, in cases where women with cervical cancer have one sex partner, the sexual behaviour of the male partners proves to be a very significant risk factor. The more women a man has sex with, the more likely those women are to get cervical cancer. Case studies compiled by the John Hopkins School of Public Health single out age, smoking, social economic status, parity and the number of sex partners as some of the contributing factors to cervical cancer development. These studies indicate that cigarette products are selectively concentrated in female genitalia. The strongest chemical carcinogen related to cervical lesions is cigarette smoke, especially if the woman began smoking in her teens. Long term Oral Contraceptive (OC) use has been weakly linked to increased cancer risk. Other likely causes of cervical cancer are sexual habits such as simultaneous promiscuity and early sexual activity. Multiple sex partners, penile warts or cancer and occupational exposure to carcinogens. The International Family Planning Perspectives issue of 1999 says considerable demand exists for programmes to combat cervical cancer as health care providers throughout the developing world regularly see women with advanced, incurable cervical cancer. The publication further states that while many countries have implemented limited screening programmes and attempt to provide surgical and radiotherapy services to a small proportion of women with advanced disease, health care providers in such settings can do little to save the women's lives. "Even the analgesic and opiate drugs needed to ease cancer-related pain are rarely available" reads the extract . The incidence of cervical cancer can, however, be reduced through appropriate information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns to raise awareness about the HPV risk associated with unprotected intercourse, especially with multiple partners. Secondly, the studies recommend greater access to screening and treatment for precancerous lesions and that this should involve defining the correct target population for screening and be based on the median age of women with invasive cancer and its precursors. Other widely recommended strategies, specifically to reduce morbidity and mortality, include early detection of the cancer and prevention of HIV, community and family education on the disease and promoting condom use as well as having fewer sexual partners. In Zambia, cervical cancer prevention is an uphill battle but it is possible by using basic principles such as screening strategies, visual inspection as a potential alternative to pap smears, treatment options, client provider issues and monitoring and evaluation. According to POPLINE, to have an impact on cervical cancer incidence and mortality, four minimum goals must be achieved: These are increased awareness of cervical cancer and preventive health seeking behaviour among women in their 30s and 40s, screening of all women aged 30-50 years old at least once a year before expanding the services to other age groups or decreasing the interval between screenings. Others include treatment of women with high grade dysplasia, reference of those with invasive disease whenever possible, and provision of intensive care for women with advanced cancer as well as collection of service delivery statistics which will facilitate monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and outputs. Women are encouraged to undergo an annual cervical smear (pap test). The pap test is recommended because it is efficient for early detection of cervical cancer and this service is available in most hospitals including UTH and is also done by the Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ).

"Zambian Proposal to Combat AIDS Causes Stir."
Times of Zambia, May 23, 2000

The Zambian Government has made a proposal to the Paris Club to exchange international debt service payments (i.e. interest on debts/loans) for funds to support the national HIV/AIDS response. Instead of paying interest to the creditors, it would instead be channeled to an HIV/AIDS response fund to combat the scourge in the debtor country.

This novel strategy has caused a stir and much debate on the internet and at various economic and health forums because it has profound implications in favour of most if not all Third World countries. Zambia has one of worst HIV-AIDS pandemics in the world, with an estimated 20 per cent of the adult population HIV-positive. AIDS-related deaths are rapidly escalating, and expected to peak in 2005. Life expectancy is plummeting, with the average Zambian lifespan dropping from 54 years to 37 years.

The pandemic is also leading to an unprecedented AIDS orphan crisis, with an estimated 1,000,000 orphans by the year 2000, representing approximately 10% of the total population of Zambia. A secondary tuberculosis pandemic is also debilitating the economically productive work force. Historic improvements in child survival are also being lost in the spectre of HIV-AIDS.

In summary, the Zambia HIV-AIDS pandemic seriously threatens the country's prospects for sustainable economic development as it depletes the country's most educated, energetic, and productive population.

To combat this crisis, President FJT Chiluba announced in March 1999, a new commitment to rapidly expand the national response with a war against AIDS when he said, 'We must all unite in the fight against AIDS.' The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is in the final stages of planning for the implementation of a new National HIV-AIDS Council and an HIV-AIDS secretariat which has been designed to support an expanded multisectoral response.

A major factor hindering an effective HIV-AIDS response in Zambia response is the macroeconomic situation and the unsustainable debt burden. During 1998, the real gross domestic productivity (GDP) per capita is estimated to have declined by five per cent. Inflation rose from 18.6 per cent at the end of 1997 to 30.6 per cent at the end of 1998. Interest rates rose sharply while the Kwacha depreciated rapidly. These factors led to tight fiscal constraint as revenues were below targets, while expenditure pressures increased.

The 1998 GRZ debt servicing obligations of $123 million paid to the Paris Club Members and the multilateral institutions was equivalent to 69 per cent of the amount budgeted by the Government from its own resources for the social sectors. For example, district health boards only received 30 per cent of their expected budget in 1998, therefore they were unable to effectively implement HIV-AIDS prevention and control activities, TB control, or control of sexually-transmitted infections.

The Government currently has no formal mechanism for providing financial support to civil society NGOs that are at the front lines in the battle against HIV-AIDS. The debt burden severely compromises the ability of Government and the civil NGO sector to effectively respond to the HIV-AIDS crisis.

The GRZ is in the final stages of developing a proposal for 'Accelerating Action Against the Zambia HIV-AIDS Pandemic Using a Multidonor 'Debt for Development' Agreement.' This proposal was presented to bilateral and multilateral cooperating partners during the May 26-28, 1999 Consultative Group Meeting in Paris. To accelerate the Zambia development process, by accelerating the national response to the HIV-AIDS pandemic, a multidonor 'Debt for Development' Agreement was proposed.

This agreement is based on the following steps of implementation:
Government and NGOs finalize HIV-AIDS response plans of action (GRZ Ministries and NGO Response Plans). These plans will include a multiple year strategic plan, budget, and a monitoring and evaluation framework

HIV-AIDS Response Fund:
GRZ plans to establish a 'HIV-AIDS Response Fund' to receive agreed upon resources from creditors. The implementation of this fund shifts resources towards supplementary domestic investment in the national HIV-AIDS response. Actual GRZ and NGO expenditures will serve as the baseline for monitoring supplementary investments in the HIV-AIDS response.

The 'HIV-AIDS 'Debt for Development' Agreement' will be based on agreed upon performance milestones that support the implementation of the Zambia HIV-AIDS Plan of Actions. Performance milestones will be developed to establish targets for legal, policy, technical performance, and people-level impact, as well as, the establishment and implementation of systems of financial accountability.

The development phase of the Zambia HIV-AIDS 'Debt for Development' is driven by an unprecedented positive response from the people of Zambia. As the full impact of the AIDS pandemic is affecting all Zambians, the HIV-AIDS 'Debt for Development' Agreement is providing a 'ray of hope' in an otherwise desperately fatalistic environment.

Options for Creditors:
Bilateral and multilateral cooperating partners will have different options for channeling resources into the 'HIV-AIDS Response Fund.' These include, but are not limited to:

• Debt Servicing Swap:
  So that principle and interest due to creditor countries would be paid into the HIV-AIDS Response Fund instead of to creditor countries:
• Moratorium of Debt Servicing:
  Creditor have the option of issuing a moratorium on debt servicing which would defer debt servicing obligations (principle and interest) into the HIV-AIDS Response Fund:
• Debt for Development Mechanisms:
  Creditor can transfer debt obligations into the HIV-AIDS Response Fund.
• Direct Contributions:
  Creditor countries and multilateral institutions could provide direct contributions to the HIV-AIDS Response Fund as part of their overall assistance to the GRZ.

The National HIV-AIDS Council and Secretariat are the proposed GRZ institutions that will be responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the proposed HIV-AIDS Multidonor 'Debt for Development' Agreement. The National HIV-AIDS Council and Secretariat would make recommendations on funding priorities to be supported by the HIV-AIDS Response Fund.
A joint GRZ-cooperating partners HIV-AIDS response fund steering committee would be formed from various interest groups, such as Government, cooperating partners (including creditor countries and multilateral agencies, NGOs and other interest groups. The steering committee would make final decisions on resource allocation disbursements, monitor the performance of the implementation institutions against the agreed upon milestones.
Support for this initiative is actively under discussion among UN Agencies, US government officials, and other creditors-OneWorld.net

"VSO Embarks on Regional HIV/AIDS Initiative." By Mildred Mpundu
Times of Zambia, May 23, 2000

This is the story of a young man from the poor side of town. For many years the Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) has been synonymous with developmental work in fields such as teaching, agriculture and health. Wherever the VSO has ventured, the organisation has left an impact on communities in many countries the world over. The VSO is credited with improving teaching skills and provide technical support in the agriculture and health sectors.

Today the organisation has redefined its agenda and spread its tentacles to join the worldwide fight against HIV/AIDS. In Southern Africa, the VSO is involved in a regional initiative in worst hit countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Malawi. Despite the extensive message that has been spread, the response has been weak, says the VSO.

'Denial is widespread, and there is a general lack of political will to tackle the impact.' The result has been devastating and economies are suffering as manpower is lost through long illnesses and death. The number of orphans who have no support in schools is increasing because of AIDS.

This is why the VSO with its many years of experience in providing low cost development assistance to Southern Africa, and working in the six named countries has established the Regional AIDS Initiative of Southern Africa (VSO-RAISA).

In early 1999, VSO commissioned two consultants to conduct research in all the six countries. The consultants met with key players and partners working in the HIV/AIDS field to analyse needs and to identify a focus for a regional initiative that would build on VSO's comparative advantage and competencies. The research concluded that a regional initiative on HIV/AIDS would benefit the Southern African region because:

• There is demand from VSOÕs national partners for support to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• There is a growing need for an expanded response to HIV/AIDS at a national and regional level.
• There are key skills areas where capacity building is required.

The major objective of VSO-RAISA is to build capacity to assist communities to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and support those who care for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. VSO Regional Coordinator for HIV/AIDS for Southern Africa, Dolar Vasani says there are three main focus areas of the initiative. These are:

• Direct placements where development workers will be strategically placed to provide technical support to strengthen institutional and resource capacity of AIDS service organisations in the areas of care and support, prevention, training of health workers, advocacy and networking.
• Integrating HIV/AIDS in all placements - Over the four-year period, over 700 volunteers will be trained on how to mainstream HIV/AIDS into their work in the health, education, natural resources, business, technical and social development sectors.

All development workers will receive pre-departure training and ongoing in-country support. Regional integration mechanisms and systems to facilitate national and regional communication, networking and sharing lessons learned will be developed between the six southern African countries. Training materials to suit the needs of the volunteers and partner organisations on the broader developmental aspects of HIV will be produced.

Vasani says the initiative wants to capitalise on integration as part of the programme as people were not sure how to do it. The idea is to also have videos where everyone talks about mainstreaming in order to have a wider audience. In the next few weeks discussions will be held to see how best this could be done. A video and kit is expected to be ready by the end of November. This will give practical examples on how to start or integrate HIV/AIDS into the work.

The VSO-RAISA offices in Pretoria will be run by a regional advisor who is responsible for stimulating, facilitating, advising and supporting regional activities and acting as a catalyst for national programme developments. Programme advisors are being recruited to avail their time in a voluntary capacity to provide technical inputs and expertise on strategy including monitoring and evaluation of the initiative. The regional coordinator has been to four countries, including Zambia, so far.

Zambia and Malawi have shown commitment and Vasani says other countries will eventually do so as things do not happen overnight. Recently over 60 VSO volunteers from all over the country met in Lusaka to discuss among other issues the impact of HIV/AIDS in Zambia and what can be and is being done to reduce the severity of the situation. Among the speakers were Vasani who gave a talk on VSO's strategy on HIV/AIDS to enable volunteers learn about current policies, strategies and opportunities.

Ms Mulenga Kapwepwe talked about the scores of Zambian led initiatives to give volunteers an insight into what was happening in the communities they were working in. Optional sessions were held to try and address some of the issues surrounding the 'integrated role' approach to HIV/AIDS initiatives.

Other speakers on various issues included Society for Women and AIDS in Zambia (SWAAZ), field coordinator, Grace Mumba, Network for Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) coordinator, Winstone Zulu, Stanley Chama from Kara Counselling Trust, Julia Stout from ZURHP, Dr Rodwell Vongo, president for Traditional Healers Practitioners of Zambia (THPAZ).

The one day workshop also looked at what current volunteers have done and are already doing. The volunteers brainstormed and planned for the action stage of HIV initiatives and to utilise the Zambian colleagues for initial responses to ideas. Writing of pledges for future action by volunteers which were later displayed were made to provide volunteers with a chance to set their own targets for future action.

VSO is a human development agency that works through DWs. These are qualified and experienced and normally work in placements for two years. DWs come from the UK, Canada, Holland or Portugal. The purpose of the organisation is to enable men and women work alongside people in poorer countries in order to share skills, build capabilities and promote international understanding and action in pursuit of a more equitable world.

Programme coordinator for the organisation Ms Dolores Long appealed to companies to contact VSO should they need experts in various fields. VSOs access to the community will be an added advantage to creating more awareness of the HIV/AIDS problem. The initiative needs all the support from partners if it is to succeed.

"Kara Trust Lands K1.3 bn."
Times of Zambia, May 23, 2000

Norway has given Kara Counselling and Training Trust (KCTT) K1.3 billion to cover the organisationÕs operations in the next three years. Norwegian ambassador to Zambia Jon Lomoy and Kara board chairman Chivwara Phiri signed the cooperation agreement in Lusaka yesterday at a ceremony attended by Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Valentine Kayope, Lusaka district administrator Stephen Bwalya and mayor Patricia Nawa.

Making the donation for the Norwegian Agency for International Development (Norad), Mr Lomoy pledged his country's continued support to Zambia's effort to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 'We want to continue to support you. The struggle against HIV/AIDS is not an easy one and we have realised Kara has serious problems,' Mr Lomoy said. He called for concerted efforts among the stakeholders like non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), the grassroots, donors and Government.

Mr Lomoy said Norway would look forward to the beginning of operations by the national council on HIV/AIDS and its secretariat established by the Zambian Government to coordinate all efforts to fight the scourge. Mr Bwalya and Ms Nawa both expressed gratitude to the Norwegian government for its gesture and urged KCTT to utilise the money wisely. Mr Phiri said his organisation would in the next three years endeavour to increase the coverage of its programmes into the rural areas based on the availability of resources. 'We want to reach all those areas where our services are needed,' said Mr Phiri.

"Minister Counsels Society Over AIDS Victims."
Times of Zambia, May 23, 2000

Information and Broadcasting Deputy Minister Fidelis Mando has said HIV/AIDS victims have the right to work as long as they are able to do so and should not be discriminated by society in any way. The minister was speaking during the 17th International AIDS candlelight memorial service held at Kabwata's Sacred Heart Catholic Church at the weekend.

Mr Mando said HIV/AIDS victims including orphans and widows should be supported spiritually, materially and physically for them to have a sense of belonging in society. 'HIV is not a curse but an infection and so we need to comfort and care for those who are infected,' Mr Mando said. He appealed to all organisations to assist secure medicines and other resources to help the infected persons as well as the orphans.

Earlier, matron for people living with HIV/AIDS Nkandu Luo expressed disappointment with some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which did not attend the service. She said there were many NGOs in Zambia which received millions of Kwacha from donors but were not supporting the vulnerable people. Professor Luo said it was these NGOs that were shunning such important functions.

'Money given to these NGOs goes into their pockets instead of helping suffering orphans and widows who are in need of social support. 'They have built empires for themselves from donor funds through writing project proposals to donors as if they support victims on the grassroots and they drive beautiful cars at the expense of the poor,' Prof Luo said.

"Free Medicine for AIDS Victims."
Times of Zambia, May 18, 2000

The Jeffery Heard HIV-AIDS Counseling and Outreach Centre, a non-governmental organisation from the United states of America (USA) will today start counseling people living with HIV-AIDS. The centre's international executive director Akida Sababu said his organisation returned to Zambia to implement the programme after undertaking feasibility studies last November, which included giving free medication to patients and the introduction of a three-component programme.

'Last year's mission was to bring AIDS medication, open a centre and talk to people affected with AIDS and to assess and to apply for a status as an NGO. We received a certificate to operate from January 2000,' he said. 'This time we want to set up offices and do counselling with AIDS patients and see how we can work together with the NGO. We want to continue to work with the Government because the first time we came we brought them AIDS medications,' Mr Sababu said.

The three-component programme consists of giving free medicines to the patients, distribution of nutritious food to the infected, education and prevention. And the organisation's coordinator for Zambia Solomon Simutowe said the center had come at the right time when the AIDS pandemic was afflicting more Zambians. About $200,000 has been budgeted annually for the running of the centre to be opened on September

"Zambians¹ Behaviour Towards AIDS Worries US." By Chama Nsabika
The Post, April 28, 2000

Zambians have impressive levels of public awareness on HIV/AIDS and its causes but lack behavioural change, US ambassador to Zambia David Dunn has observed. Dunn said at the inaugural meeting of the Zambia Business Coalition on AIDS (ZBCA) yesterday that while the AIDS scourge keeps spreading, effective action could reverse the pandemic as can be seen in some countries.

United Nations resident co-ordinator Olubanke King-Akerele said the impact of AIDS on the business sector keeps swelling. Akerele disclosed a recent survey by the (ZBCA) indicated that 50 per cent of the respondent companies had lost between 50 and 60 per cent of their labour force from AIDS. She said in the past 15 years of AIDS prevalence in Zambia about 650,000 people had died with a further 1.6 million projected to die from the disease in the next 15 years if no changes are made.

Deputy labour and social security minister Bates Namuyamba said the formation of the ZBCA would provide for AIDS to be tackled in a truly tripartite form. He noted that employers have now grouped together to prevent the marked increase of AIDS cases at work places which had risen to 34 per cent by the end of 1998. "Companies are losing productive labour force and human resource planning has been rendered irrelevant due to frustrations", he said.

The ZBCA, to be headed by Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) human resources director Masautso Nyathando, aims at preventing and minimising HIV infection to workers through provision of educational programmes and counselling to staff of member companies. The coalition will also promote non-discrimination and encourage openness about HIV/AIDS through sensitization of staff at all levels.

"AIDS Drug Boosts Immunity, says Doc."
Times of Zambia, April 14, 2000

A three-year Japanese AIDS trial research project launched to determine the efficacy of a drug to boost immunity in persons infected with HIV has ended with indications that the majority of the 200 clients had their deteriorating health condition improved.

Director of the research project Patrick Matondo confirmed that the project ended early this month after three years of intensive research involving 200 people living with HIV and AIDS and open about their serostatus. Dr Matondo, who is a consultant epidemiologist at the skin clinic of the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), where the research was carried out noted that the GL drug had the potency to repress viral load and boost immunity in people living with HIV infection and AIDS.

Mr Perry Mutila and Mrs Regina Kamanga, two of the clients on the research said their immunity had been boosted and various AIDS-related illnesses they were experiencing for years had since disappeared after they started taking the GL drug. Mr Mutila and Mrs Kamanga are both HIV-positive and have come out in the open about their HIV serostatus. They are both active members of the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+). Mr Mutila, 40, is coordinator of the Kamanga Anti-Stigma AIDS Support group while Mrs Kamanga, 30, heads a support group of women living with HIV/AIDS in Lusaka.

Both groups are funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) under the United Nations Volunteers Programme. The GL research project was being carried out by a Japanese medical laboratory team and was being funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The GL drug was reported to have been extracted from roots of a Japanese herb and has been tested in various medical institutions in Japan before being brought to Zambia.

"Blood Transfusion Accounts for 10% of HIV Infections." By Kennedy Bwalya
Times of Zambia, April 10, 2000

Blood transfusion accounts for 10 per cent of world-wide HIV/AIDS transmissions, the World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr. Edward Maganu has said. Commemorating the 2000 World Health Day last Friday, Dr. Maganu said between five and 10 per cent of HIV infections world-wide were transmitted through transfusion of infected blood and blood products.

"There are still many countries that cannot guarantee 100 per cent testing of donated blood," Dr. Maganu said. He noted, however, that Zambia had an organised blood transfusion service though its collections did not meet the demand. Dr. Maganu, who was presenting WHO Africa regional director Dr. Ebrahim Samba¹s message, said blood safety was among WHO¹s new priorities because of its importance to human health.

"It is therefore important for everyone to know about safe blood and blood donation and their implications for the life and health of all," he said. Dr. Maganu said diseases which threaten millions of lives of people are transmitted from one person to another through blood. He observed that less than 50 per cent of African countries have adopted the national blood transfusion policy while less than a third had implemented their policies. Dr. Maganu disclosed the WHO regional office for Africa would strengthen the capacity of national transfusion services in Harare and Abidjan which would organise training courses for blood transfusion for all member states.

UN Country representative, Olubanke King-Akerele, called for accelerated efforts in the improvement of health status of people. Akerele commended blood donors for helping save life. Commending the Zambian government for its efforts in managing sustainable blood services, King-Akerele assured of UN¹s continued support to developing key programmes. And Health deputy minister Enerst Mwansa stated that government was committed to the promotion of sustainable blood services.

"McDermott Calls for Affordable HIV Drugs." By Douglas Hampande
The Post, April 7, 2000

Ways should be found to make HIV/AIDS drugs affordable for the infected living in the world¹s poorest regions, said United Nations Children¹s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Zambia Peter McDermott yesterday. Welcoming permanent delegate of the United States government to the UN general assembly Maureen White at Lusaka International Airport, McDermott said though some measures had on the local scene been taken to help the poor afford the drugs much more needed to be done.

"In Zambia we¹ve been focusing on the mother to child transmission interventions but much more needs to be done. Soon we¹ll be trying out more alternatives to stop the 30 per cent transmission that comes to newly born babies through their mothers," he said. He said in Uganda they had tried some ways of making anti-rectroviral agents cheaply available to the infected a move which all countries should embark on. McDermott said the many opportunistic diseases which attack HIV patients should also be fought vigorously to bolster up patients¹ lives. "In fact, yesterday (Wednesday) I was assured from New York that we¹ll soon be receiving another US $1 million for the fight against malaria in Zambia. This is in addition to the US $500,000 we received early this year," he said. And White who will be in the country for four days emphasised the need to economically empower the poor so that they could fight some of the social ills now affecting them. She said small projects should be initiated for the generation of subsistence income. "And the young should take voluntary HIV testing so they can know what to do if positive. This helps fight the disease from the earliest stages and people can then try the available drugs before the viral load increases," she said.

White and McDermott commended the media for its role in the fight against the pandemic and urged that more should be done to ensure long term solutions were found. White, who is also responsible for UNICEF at the General Assembly will, while in the country, hold meetings with senior government officials and top UN staff. She will also visit community based organisations on the Copperbelt and Chikankata in Mazabuka.

"19 Percent of Zambians Have HIV Virus." By Brighton Phiri
Africa news Online, April 5, 2000

Zambian officials said Tuesday that over 19 percent of the nation's population has been infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic, which is threatening the country's economic development. Lusaka Province Deputy Minister Mulenga urged more people to get tested for HIV and also to try to stay healthy so they could donate blood, which is desperately needed. Webster Mwape of the Community Based Tuberculosis Organization reported that the number of tuberculosis cases in the country is increasing, in part because of a lack of drugs.

"Zambia's Kaunda to Become Peace, AIDS Activist." By Manoah Esipisu
Reuters April 1, 2000

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, who recently resigned as head of the United National Independence Party, has announced his intention to help fight the AIDS epidemic and work toward peace in Africa. Statistics show that 25 percent to 30 percent of Zambia's adult urban population has HIV or AIDS. Kaunda, who led the nation for 27 years before losing the 1991 election, also admitted for the first time that his son died of AIDS nearly 15 years ago, leaving him to raise his five grandchildren.

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