Chairperson for the group Margaret O’Callaghan said in a statement that Government committed itself to an open policy when it approved the national HIV/AIDS strategy along with many other African countries. She reiterated that extensive studies compiled by UNAIDS have shown that the use of condoms, if used properly and consistently, is 99 per cent effective in preventing infections.

She said that UNAIDS appreciated that the subject of sex was culturally sensitive but emphasised that the issue of HIV/AIDS was extraordinary and devastating and therefore required a two pronged approach. She said that condoms deserved a place in the fight against HIV/AIDS and asked Zambians to appreciate the recent reduction in infection rates for the critical 15-19 year age group.

"HIV/AIDS Pandemic Hits Ministry of Education." By Bivan Saluseki
UN Integrated Regional Information Network, January 12, 2001

The Ministry of Education has been greatly hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, education deputy permanent secretary in charge of the technical committee Barbara Chilangwa has observed.

According to Chilangwa, if the trend continues the ministry will have no option but soon resort to training two to three teachers where they need only one. She said other than burying heads on the issue and condemning adverts, people, especially teachers should make AIDS education a critical issue in their activities. "Unless we make it a critical issue, and if we do not change our behaviour, we will have no students in our schools and no lecturers for our students," she said.

Chilangwa said though the issue of adverts is currently a sensitive one, people must still talk about it. She said the efforts that are being put in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Ministry of Education are not bearing fruit. "HIV/AIDS will take the country so many years backwards if we do not do anything," said Chilangwa. She disclosed that the Minister of Education will soon be launching an AIDS awareness and education programme for the ministry.

"Condom Adverts Deemed Too Explicit."
UN Integrated Regional Information Network, January 12, 2001

The campaign to combat HIV/AIDS in Zambia hit a snag this week when the state-broadcaster pulled condom advertisements, deemed too explicit by the government, off the air.

Church leaders from the Christian Council of Zambia, a powerful lobby group comprising a number of influential churches, had protested loudly that anti-AIDS campaign material aired in recent months by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) was misguided and encouraged promiscuity.

The government itself appeared divided over the issue. Health Minister Enoch Kavindele last week urged Christian leaders to "face reality" over the extent of the AIDS epidemic, but Education Minister Godfrey Miyanda backed the clergy. President Frederick Chiluba, who in 1991 declared Zambia a Christian nation, controversially said that he felt the use of condoms was a sign of lax morals.

The decision by ZNBC to cancel the advertisements - bowing, the company said, to public sentiment - has been sharply criticised by anti-aids campaigners. Masauso Nzima, country coordinator for the UK-based AIDS Alliance told IRIN on Thursday that it appeared that "people do not know how badly hit this country is by HIV/AIDS". He added: "Condoms are one of the major ways of preventing the spread of AIDS and I think they should not be dismissed just like that without as much as an offer of an alternative."

An estimated 20 percent of Zambian adults are HIV-positive. According to the government's own figures, more than 700,000 people have died from AIDS-related causes since the early 1980's, and more than 650,000 children have been orphaned. Currently, between 25,000 to 30,000 children are born with HIV/AIDS, while 7 out of every 10 childern in this category are not expected to celebrate their fifth birthday.

Acknowledging cultural taboos over open discussion of sex, Nzima said he believed the condom outcry has largely been due to the fact that the commercials had been aired during prime time, "when parents are having dinner with their children. Perhaps the timing has been wrong but even then, I believe there's a thing called parental guidance."

The church has urged abstinence as a solution to the AIDS epidemic. A message endorsed by Chiluba, a born-again Christian, who has argued that condoms promote casual sex instead of monogamy. On Tuesday, Miyanda said condoms were not a guarantee against HIV transmission and urged Zambians to sue manufacturers in cases where condoms had failed.

Nils Gade, chief executive for the Zambian Society for Family Health which markets a brand of condoms called 'Maximum' for men and 'Care' for women, pointed out that the UN AIDS programme UNAIDS has "endorsed the condom as the most effective way of avoiding AIDS ... especially for many Zambians who do not know their status, whether they are positive or negative."

However, a compromise appears to have been reached in the dispute. Gade's organisation is now working on revised television commercials to be aired next week that are less "aggressive", he told IRIN. "We are worried about the severe AIDS situation here. The fact that people, especially teenagers, are having [unprotected] sex is even sadder, but we have revised the advertisement to include a component of abstinence which the detractors say must be encouraged."

"Disgusted Parents Win Round Against Advertisers." By Lewis Mwanangombe
Panafrican News Agency, January 9, 2001

The full backing of the Christian church, have succeeded in blocking the airing of explicit condom use adverts on the national television, much to the chagrin of health minister Enock Kavindele.

The storm began brewing in December when as part of the world-wide commemoration of the World AIDS Day the TV went out of its way to publicise the scourge. But the manner in which the adverts were formulated, elicited immediate condemnation from the church and concerned parents who saw the ploy as nothing but a marketing gimmick conjured up by condom purveyors.

In one of the adverts, two young men repairing a broken down car are heard discussing the merits and demerits of having sex without a condom. Eventually one advises the other to use a condom "Every time you have sex...' 'Every time, humhu?' In the other advert, a female teenager is dropped by a boy-friend, driving a car, at a friend's house where her two friends are plaiting their hair under a tree. The three girls start discussing the boyfriend who has just left and one is heard advising friends that without a condom she will not allow her own boyfriend to have penetration sex with her.

In a protest letter to Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, the Arab-African Non-Governmental Organisations' Union described the adverts "callous and amateurish," adding that contrary to the intended purpose the adverts were sending opposite messages to the youth.

"We find it to be most unfortunate that the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation management is failing to exercise moral responsibility but instead it encourages promiscuity amongst the youth on the premise that all can have sex so long they have a condom between them," Edwin Sakala of the union noted with disgust in the protest letter.

Pastor David Masupa of Lusaka said that as a "Christian Nation" Zambia should not encourage citizens to go on indiscriminate sex just because they have condoms but that the youth should be encouraged to abstain from sex all together.

In angry letters to the Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail, parents claimed that the condom adverts were so offensive that many of them were having to forego watching the evening news bulletin because of the continued showing of material which disgusted them.

But up to last week the health minister was still insisting that the adverts would not be withdrawn from national television because they were there for a purpose. He even quoted a local saying that to impart knowledge to a youth you must get down to the point.

"Vigorous public education campaigns on the importance of taking measures to control the rise of new infections should be encouraged. Government believes that the conspiracy of silence should be stopped and the message of the HIV/AIDS pandemic broadcast in all media available to bring home the point that we have to change our habits or we perish," Kavinde declared. He disclosed that since the beginning of the epidemic one million adults and children are living with the AIDS virus and 650,000 cumulative deaths have occurred of which 80 percent are in adults between the ages of 15 and 49 years.

The scourge has in addition left behind 600,000 orphans of whom 18.7 percent are females and 9.3 percent males living with the AIDS virus. But by week-end all the condom-use adverts had been withdrawn. Many political pundits believe the president must have intervened behind the scenes for the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation management to withdraw the adverts, quietly.

"Sue Makers of Condoms."
Times of Zambia, January 9, 2001

Education Minister Godfrey Miyanda has advised Zambians who have contracted the HIV virus while using condoms to sue companies manufacturing and promoting their use. Opening an international week-long workshop for Youth Alive Zambia (YAZ), Brigadier General Miyanda said Zambians were not being given an opportunity to make informed choices about condoms and their failure rate was not communicated to them.

Gen Miyanda who is the YAZ patron said the high volume of sales for condoms did not translate into lower rates of HIV infection. He said the messages in condom advertising should be moderate and carry a health warning sign. Gen Miyanda urged Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to include a policy that tones down on sensual and pornographic adverts. Speaking earlier YAZ founder Sister Miriam Duggan urged Government to have an open policy on HIV/AIDS and said a deliberate policy of promoting cultural andspiritual values should be embraced. Sister Miriam urged the youth to abstain from sexual activities and reduce HIV infection rate.

Meanwhile, Church of God Central Africa regional superintendent Bishop John Mambo has said HIV/AIDS advertisements should not be banned because they help young people know the dangers of illicit sex. He has instead cautioned church leaders not to call for the complete ban of HIV/AIDS advertisements but speak in the interest of every Zambian. Bishop Mambo said in Lusaka yesterday that not every Zambian was a Christian and suggested that condoms could be used by people who were weak in the area of sex. ‘The church should take a stand of abstinence which will save the entire nation but individuals who cannot abstain should use condoms which is one of the available protective measures,’ he said.

He noted that abstinence was good but said Zambia was formed out of different people who could not all abstain and suggested that such people could also use condoms. The bishop also admitted that there were some arguments among church leaders calling for the ban of condoms on television and papers with some advocating for a complete ban while others did not agree. He concurred with President Chiluba’s stance for abstinence as the absolute solution against HIV infection. He advised that the media should be able to censor the adverts to enable them suit the promotion of behaviour change instead of portraying the message of sleeping around.

In Kitwe, a UNIP official has urged Government to impose an immediate ban on the promotion of condom use in Zambia. The appeal has been made by Kafue’s Tom Mboya UNIP branch chairman Boniface Mhango. Mr Mhango told the Times yesterday that the ban on the promotion of condom use was necessary to discourage promiscuity and immorality. .Dr Kenneth Kaunda will set up two radio stations in Northern and Western provinces to disseminate information on HIV/AIDS. The two stations would be set under the auspices of the Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation. The radio station to be installed in Western Province would cater for countries like Botswana and Namibia while the Northern Province one would be used to disseminate to countries bordering Northern Province. Speaking after touring the Christian Vision projects in Lusaka yesterday Dr Kaunda said the stations would be set strategically to cater for other counties in the region.

"Presidential Hopefuls: Must They Be HIV Free?"
Times of Zambia, January 8, 2001

AH, the AIDS issue, whatever, would we do without it? Now the AIDS question may scuttle the dreams of some of Zambia's 2001 presidential aspirants. Should they be tested for AIDS?

The question has been seized upon by different interpretations of law and morality but no resounding consensus was within reach yet.Former vice-president and now State counsel, Levy Mwanawasa, says it's undemocratic to subject presidential hopefuls to an HIV test. "I don't think it's necessary, it's undemocratic. The nation will be denying itself capable leaders who could serve well. There is no guarantee, as a matter of fact, that those living with the virus will die quickly. One may not have the virus but could die in a road traffic accident earlier than the one who has the virus, cautioned Mwanawasa.

The Permanent Human Rights Commission (PHRC) gave its nod to the debate on whether hopefuls should be tested for AIDS. The Permanent Human Rights Commission would like to encourage the nation to debate and arrive at a national consensus on whether Presidential hopefuls who are found to be HIV/AIDS positive should barred from contesting the presidency, said spokesman Lavu Mulimba. Mr Mulimba further said the constitution was silent on the matter so that conclusions that one must be physically fit; were suppositions and the issue of infringement on rights was also theoretical. However, Mr Mulimba said: In general, and as a human rights standard, persons affected byHIV/AIDS should not be discriminated against or prevented from exercising basic freedoms and rights enjoyed by all.

UNIP's Professor Patrick Mvunga also observed that the debate on whether those aspiring for the presidency should be tested for AIDS was as healthy as the one on capital punishment. Let the debate be allowed, he said, while acknowledging the legal,moral and ethical implications of a mandatory AIDS test for presidential hopefuls.

Worldwide, in most democracies, there is still no clear-cut stand on whether aspirants should be tested for AIDS. It's a very thorny issue with legal, moral and ethical complications. How do you compel them to go for a test without discriminating against them? At the same time, you can't play blind to this AIDS era we are in...does he risk dying of AIDS while in office? On the other hand, if one is HIV-positive, does he lose his liberties as a citizen? Is the constitution only for AIDS-free citizens? It's a difficult subject and it deserves as much debate as the death penalty. It's not exhaustive, conceded Professor Mvunga.

But General Malimba Masheke, Zambia's prime minister and army commander in the second republic says: "If the majority of Zambians feel presidential hopefuls must be AIDS-free, so be it. Perhaps it's good that the presidency is taken by one who is healthy but it all depends on what the majority wishes are," said Gen. Masheke. The presidency is stressful and stress brings down immunity.

But Chief Medical Officer at Lusaka's St. John's medical centre (Monica Chiumya hospital), Dr Faston Goma, is crystal-clear on the subject. "Yes, presidential aspirants must know their HIV status. They don't necessarily have to declare it afterwards. But the point is that the Office of Head of State is very stressful and we know that stress brings down immunity, declared Dr Goma.

The office of president is truly one full of stress. At times, a Head of State's blood is up as he ponders the barefoot, belly-swelling poverty of his people. As he ponders economic redemption for his people as they face pressure from a crashing debt-burden under IMF and World Bank policies. A Head of State truly needs to enjoy excellent physical health or else how can he cope?

But why infringe on their rights?’ argues Bishop John Mambo. The cleric, before flying off to shepherd part of his regional flock in Angola this week, explained that while physical fitness and mental alertness were a requirement for the highest office in the land, it was wrong to subject aspirants to such tests.

"There are many who could be HIV positive yet very active and could make a positive contribution to the nation before they die. Me thinks it's ungodly to subject them to a test. They didn't create that condition and the constitutional physical fitness requirement is about sanity and not about being HIV negative," observed Bishop Mambo.

ZIMT's Alfred Zulu said from a point of view of human rights, subjecting presidential hopefuls to a test was an infringement on their rights. "All diseases are terminal and it's therefore infringing on their rights to subject them to a test. To subject them to a test is to discriminate against them except where one is insane or else there is to be nothing to block them from running for the presidency," said Zulu.

But Monica Chiumya's Hospital administrator, Mr Philip Chibuta, insists presidential hopefuls must be AIDS-free because theirs was not an office like anybody else's. He too believes the Office of the President was like a sailor in ship's rigging on the rigours of a stormy sea. It is only the anchor of a physically fit Head of State which holds inspite of the storms in office. One cannot afford, therefore, to either be physically or mentally unwell while in that office. Nor can one afford to be sickly at Plot one.

"We certainly need someone who is physically fit," declared Mr Chibuta.

His wife, standing close-by, said an HIV-test for presidential hopefuls is a must. "I seriously think they should be tested for AIDS because some on the plain have known a chain of women and the signs may not be pleasant. But I also wish it could be extended to MPs as well because our resources are too scanty to afford rapid by-elections even when the money should be channeled to needy areas such as health, agriculture and education," suggested Mrs. Chibuta.

But Mr Steve Tembo, a Lusaka agro-consultant, felt the issue was not so much the HIV status of Plot one aspirants as it was a serious case of glossing over demands for morality in the nation for those aspiring for public office. "We should emphasise morality for all those aspiring for Plot one. Stressing that they go for an HIV test may be good but it's possible to be HIV negative and yet be sexually immoral. Let's demand morality on the part of those vying for the highest office in the land," he admonished.

"They are raw models for everyone and surely morality must be a priority," said another Lusakan, Mr Cheta Musonda. He said he felt passionately about morality because Zambia cannot afford to be embarrassed by an immoral Head of State or one who was hooked on certain embarrassing habits. "For instance, I for one stopped smoking long ago in the second republic just by observing that Dr. Kaunda, then the nation's hero at the height of his popularity in the 70s, didn't smoke. That's how much influence Heads of State have on their nation. However, aspirants must also be tested for AIDS," Musonda suggested.

He explained that, unlike an individual who could stay away from the tests, a Head of State carried the nation on his shoulders. Plot one was a service job which entailed carrying the security of the nation on one's shoulder and it wouldn't be good for such a one to be sickly. Musonda admonished Human rights'activists not to overstep their finite limits with cries of blue murder whenever the public demanded HIV tests for aspirants to the highest office in the land.

"It's no issue of discriminating against them or else why do we put away TB patients? Why are leprosy patients put away? Let’s be reasonable and do what is right. We should know their HIV status and then we shall know what to do afterwards. It's in fact lawful for them to be tested because the constitution says they must be fit," Mr Musonda argued his point.

Mr Marlon Banda of Churches Medical Association of Zambia (CMAZ) stressed there was need for them to be tested. A freshly qualified AIDS counsellor, Kalolo Mulenga, also felt there was need for hopefuls to know their HIV status. A former diplomat, Mr Amon Chibanda, says morally it was a good thing for the hopefuls to be tested. But he also had questions about whether it was legal.

UPND Spokesman, Mr Lavu Mtesa, said the idea of testing hopefuls was a bright one. "It's not a bad idea. In fact, it should be extended to MPs and all those intending to get married in the whole nation," he said.

The consensus among all those talked-to was that morality in the nation's highest office was crucial. Ah, it was generally agreed that hopefuls on the plain who had been libidous after bedding a chain of women as varied as their mother tongues, would embarrass the nation if they started ailing while in office.

"Youths Back Govt's Move Not to Ban Condom Advert." By Chisenga Kabuswe
The Post, January 7, 2001

Youths have come in full support of government's refusal to ban condoms and HIV/AIDS advertisement from television and newspapers.

Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) Youth Representative on HIV/AIDS Mass Media Campaign Edford Mutuma said as much as the youths appreciate the comments given by the clergy on abstinence and condom use, banning condom advertisements was denying young people access to education about HIV/AIDS and safer behaviour skills. "By banning the adverts, young people will not be able to buy condoms and attend youth friendly clinics because the clergy and adults believe such education is actually encouraging them increase their sexual activity when in fact the opposite is the truth," he said. "If we look on the ground, quality sex education, like in adverts , helps to reduce cases of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), unwanted pregnancies and the rates of HIV/AIDS."

Mutuma said young people are aware of HIV/AIDS but this knowledge has very little impact on their behaviour because it is either incomplete or borders on religion and culture. He said youths need constant messages to remind them on safer sex and to change their attitude. "Let us promote abstinence as the sure way to avoid HIV/AIDS and condom use to those who are not able to abstain," he said.

Another PPAZ peer educator Barnabus Musonda noted that statistics show that only 10 per cent of youths between the ages of 14 and 26 are abstaining from sex and wondered what will happen to the 90 per cent who are sexually active if they are not taught about safer sex. "It is not easy to shift the 90 per cent to abstinence," he noted. "Doing so will be a process and while we are trying to change the youths' attitude, we should encourage them to use condoms so that they do not get infected in the process."

Health minister Enoch Kavindele, last week turned down calls by the clergy to intervene and withdraw condom adverts on television and in newspapers and called on them to face reality in the wake of over 24 million people in Sub- Sahara having already died from AIDS. He told the clergy that prospects of preaching to empty churches was high as people may die. "Offensive the adverts may be yes, but we must face reality," he said.

"Give Adequate Information on AIDS, Says Health Minister ." By Sheikh Chifuwe
The Post, January 5, 2001

The prospects of preaching to an empty church are high if we engage in a conspiracy of silence and don't broadcast the message of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in all media, Health minister Enoch Kavindele warned yesterday.

Commenting on the calls by the clergy and other sectors to ban advertisements on HIV/AIDS, Kavindele at a press briefing said there was need to give out adequate information to enable people make informed decisions. "The government believes that the conspiracy of silence should be stopped and the message of HIV/AIDS pandemic broadcast in all media available to bring home the point that we have to change our habits or we perish," he said. "I said to the clergy that the prospects of preaching to an empty church were high, we have to face the reality that the situation at hand is unprecedented."

He said he had received correspondence from some people including the clergy expressing their outrage at the HIV/AIDS pandemic advertisements especially on the television. Kavindele said there was need to develop an open policy on HIV/AIDS because it could literally erase the country from the world. He said since the advent of epidemic, one million adults and children in Zambia were living with the AIDS virus while 650,000 cumulative deaths had occurred during the same period with those between the ages of 15-49 accounting for 80 per cent. He disclosed that 30 per cent of the 600,000 orphans were also living with AIDS virus.

He partly attributed the decline in new infections of the pandemic in other countries in the region to vigorous education campaigns. Kavindele said it was necessary to make the people aware of the dangers of AIDS because if infected, the drugs were usually unaffordable to the general citizenry. He said K2.5million was required a month to prolong a life of an infected person. Kavindele also disclosed that government was equally concerned about the levels of tuberculosis and malaria cases which had their own death toll on the Zambian people.

Society for Family Health (SFH) executive director Nils Gade yesterday advised Zambians to move away from the notion that condoms were only used during promiscuous sex. "The Church is blind on one eye because this issue of abstenance cannot easily help reduce HIV infections," Gade said. "HIV/AIDS can strike at even the married couple." He said his organisation last year sold 8. 8 million condoms in Zambia, a 30 per cent increase over the previous year.

President Frederick Chiluba's statement that he did not believe in condoms at an MMD Central province conference on Saturday raised further calls especially from the clergy to ban condom advertisements on television. President Chiluba however advised people to abstain from casaul sex as the sure way of fighting AIDS.

"Chiluba and Condoms - Editorial Opinion ."
The Post , January 3, 2001

President Frederick Chiluba's declaration last Saturday that he did not believe in condoms and his branding them as a sign of being weak on the part of the user should raise worry among all. While not being advocates of promiscuity and all related immoral activities we find President Chiluba's statement as being out of touch with reality.

It may appear that we have not come to terms with reality on the extent of the HIV/AIDS scourge, let alone, the levels of new infections on a daily level. It is worrying and in fact frightening to look at Zambia's high HIV/AIDS figures and hear the head of state not helping the situation by preaching against the use of the condom.

We all know that while the condom may not be 100 per cent safe, it at least offers a high percentage of protection from contracting sexually transmitted infections which also include the deadly HIV/AIDS. Zambia has suffered adversely from the ravaging effects of the deadly disease whose toll has been felt in nearly all households. Barely a day passes without families carrying a coffin of HIV/AIDS victims.

Human resources development for the country as a whole has not been spared as the disease continues to affect the nation's professionals in all sectors including the common man. Families have lost their bread winners while several man hours have been lost in companies and organisations due to ill health, yet we go out to preach against condom use.

As President Chiluba rightly put it the country's cemeteries are expanding faster than residential areas due to increased HIV/AIDS related deaths. It is with this in mind that calls for a more positive approach should be put in place when addressing the matter.

Abstinence is the best option but how many people including our leaders both in churches and in politics have the power to abstain? Church leaders in all denominations have not been spared and the toll has extended to even the very role models of society. When even the Vatican considers reviewing its position on the condom, it shows one that the world is indeed faced with a real problem which calls for positive approaches. Little protection is definitely better than no protection at all.

"Sex Workers in Zambia Are HIV Positive - Report."
Panafrican News Agency, January 3, 2001

67 Percent Of Commercial sex workers in Zambia who are frequently exposed to unprotected sex are said to have an HIV prevalence of 67 percent, almost three times the rate among sexually active women in the general population.

According to the 2001-2003 Strategic Framework report released by the National HIV/AIDS and TB Council, commercial sex workers in the country have sex with an average of seven partners a night. The report cites their clients to include truck drivers at various garages, male traders in border areas and other clients in bars, clubs and hotels.

It is estimated that there are at least 7,000 professional sex workers in Lusaka alone, and another 17,000 in the key tourist locations, major highways, as well as border and trading towns in Zambia. "If all the 17,000 commercial sex workers outside of Lusaka and spread throughout the country were to engage in sex with seven clients every day, then 119,000 sex acts would occur nightly, 3,570,000 sex acts monthly, and 42,840,000 annually," the report added.

It said that commercial sex workers were vulnerable because of the multiple sex partners they keep, adding that 80 percent of the sexual contacts were unprotected with some male clients offering to pay significantly higher fees for condom-free sex. "Furthermore, since these women experience high prevalence of untreated STD conditions, treatment becomes an urgent priority. In all, the significant role commercial sex workers play in accelerating the transmission of HIV to the general population cannot be overemphasised," the report further said.

It is estimated that each truck driver and assistant have up to 60 sexual partners per month or 720 per year. The majority of their partners are mobile commercial sex workers from outlying low income communities. Dar Farms International, one of the largest trucking companies in Zambia is said to have lost 39 of its 144 drivers to AIDS in the last three years.

Approximately 1.75 million girls in Zambia, according to the report, are vulnerable to HIV, a situation blamed on a host of socio-cultural and economic factors. The report said cultural practices to prepare the girl- child for marriage, which are common and widespread in both rural and urban Zambia, could increase the risks associated with STD and HIV transmission. Zambia has an estimated one million people living with HIV/AIDS, although the total number of those who know their serological status is unknown. Some 1,000 of these sufferers, representing a mere one percent of the total, belong to the Zambia Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS.

"Chiluba Calls On Zambians To Change Their Moral Behaviour ."
Panafrican News Agency, December 31, 2000

Zambian president Frederick Chiluba has called for change in moral behaviour of Zambians in order to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other contagious killer diseases. He said the rising deaths from HIV/AIDS was worrying his government and advised every Zambian to join forces in the fight against the scourge.

The president was opening the 5th central province conference for the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy in the midland town of Kabwe, Saturday. He noted that some cemeteries were bigger than some townships because no day passed without burying an HIV/AIDS victim. "I am making a personal call to all Zambians to refrain from casual sex. Do not even use a condom, because it is a sign of weak moral in the part of a user," Chiluba told hundreds of delegates from six districts.

Flanked by several cabinet and deputy ministers, he said there was no cure for HIV, but the cure remained in man by abstaining from casual sex. The president said money would not fight the scourge, but human being by practising good moral behaviour and remaining faithful to one partner for life. About 20 percent of Zambia's adult population is said to be infected with HIV/AIDS.

"KK's AIDS Foundation Gets State Backing." By Emelda Shomnga and Liversadge Mulinda
Daily Mail, December 27, 2000

Government has formalised its support to the Kenneth Kaunda Children Of Africa Foundation. And the foundation has at Government's request proposed Dr Kaunda's son, Dr Waza Kaunda as its representative on the recently formed HIV/AIDS/TB/Leprosy Council.

According to a spokesperson from the Zambia office, Ridgeway Liwena, Health Minister, Enock Kavindele confirmed Government's support to the foundation in a letter to Dr Kaunda dated December 23, 2000. Mr Liwena said this follows a meeting Mr Kavindele had with Dr Kaunda at the former President's residence concerning the KK Children of Africa Foundation. "The Government recognises you as a high profile envoy of the crusade against HIV/AIDS pandemic and will therefore work closely with the foundation," part of the letter reads.

Mr Kavindele confirmed in an interview yesterday the meeting with Dr Kaunda and the appointment of Dr Waza Kaunda to the council. Mr Kavindele said the appointment of the foundation's representative on the council will bring it closer to the networks of Government with the donor communities and all institutions involved in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Mr Liwena said the minister also informed Dr Kaunda that the goodwill of the donor countries to Zambia's fight against HIV/AIDS has heightened. This he said was evidenced by donors' pledge of US $113 million at a recent meeting with Government. In addition Britain pledged 20 million pounds and the World Bank US $40 million to the HIV/AIDS/TB/Leprosy Council.

The minister confirmed the pledged funds to the council whose release he indicated was dependent on the formation of the council. The minister hoped the money would now start flowing with the institution in place and had their first meeting. Mr Kavindele said Dr Kaunda's fight against AIDS is what Government wanted to see all over the world.

The minister assured the former President maximum support and co-operation. He said there were funds available for organisations like Dr Kaunda's and therefore there was no reason why he could not tap from such funds to advance the works of the foundation. Mr Liwena said Dr Kaunda was delighted by the turn of events. "We are in this together. There are no borders in this war against the killer disease," Dr Kaunda said. And the minister said Government was not funding the KK Foundation but indicated a request for funds by Dr Kaunda would be considered by Government.

"We are not funding the Foundation and Dr Kaunda has not asked for assistance. But if he did I am sure he will get it because he is fighting for a noble cause," the minister said in an interview.

"Zambia's Kaunda Urges Politicians to Take AIDS Tests."
Reuters NewsMedia, December 22, 2000

Former Zambian ruler Kenneth Kaunda on Friday urged African politicians to take AIDS tests before seeking office to help raise awareness about the pandemic. Kaunda told reporters in the Zambian capital Lusaka that he did not back compulsory testing, but any leader with a conscience had a duty to do "the right thing" and help slow the spread of what he called the continent's waking nightmare.

Kaunda, who ruled Zambia as president from independence from Britain in 1964 until 1991, quit domestic politics this year to dedicate his life to fighting AIDS. "I believe all politicians seeking office in Africa and elsewhere must, as a matter of conscience, take AIDS tests. This will help raise awareness about the pandemic. It is also important that the politicians know whether they are healthy enough to take on the stress of public service," he said. "If people know their status, it might help stem promiscuity and slow the spread of the disease."

Kaunda heads the Johannesburg-based Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation, which champions the fight against AIDS and seeks to improve the lives of AIDS orphans on the continent. Some 34 million people worldwide are infected with the HIV virus while 18 million have died of AIDS. Some 70% of all victims are from sub-Saharan Africa, where the anti-AIDS campaign has often been hurt by lukewarm political backing.

"AIDS Orphans' Number to Swell." By Dean Mwaanga
Sunday Mail, December 10, 2000

The number of AIDS orphans will rise to 970,000 by 2015 from 550,000 in 1999, the Permanent Human Rights Commission (PHRC) has projected. In a statement released yesterday in commemoration of the International Human Rights Day which falls today, PHRC spokesman Lavu Mulimba said the impact of HIV/AIDS has mostly hit the most vulnerable members of society who are children leaving most of them facing a bleak future and little opportunity of ever furthering their education.

Mr Mulimba said the HIV/AIDS pandemic was another major barrier to the effective promotion and protection of Human Rights particularly socio-economic rights. He said that the country's development was held back through the loss of precious human resource necessary to turn the economic engine as most of the people infected were those in the productive age bracket of 18 to 45 years.

Mr Mulimba said the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge must be intensified by all adding, "the commission commends all those who are tirelessly working towards finding ways of reducing the spread of the disease." Together we are promoting the right of every person to good health, one of the most fundamental of Human Rights".

He said the International Human Rights Day should also remind people of the barrier to every person's effective enjoyment and exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms such as that against poverty. He said about 75 per cent of the Zambian population was currently going through the most difficult time because of the economic problems the country was experiencing, aggravated by the crushing foreign debt and added that the majority of the people can hardly meet their basic requirements such as food, clothing and shelter.

Mr Mulimba reminded the citizens that as they celebrate the International Human Rights Day, they must bear in mind that rights come with corresponding duties. "The exercise of Human Rights is practiced within the confines of the rule of law and ends where another person's rights begin," he said. The statement was released in commemoration of the International Human Rights Day which falls today, the day when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

"Zambia Records 40,000 TB Cases Every Year, says Chiluba." By Shapi Shacinda
Daily Mail, December 7, 2000

Zambia records an additional 40,000 cases of tuberculosis every year triggered by HIV/AIDS, President Chiluba said here. This caused severe consequences on public health. The president said TB, malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrhoea and respiratory infections now accounted for 80 per cent of the disease burden. Dr Chiluba said this in a key note address to the Okinawa 2000 international conference on infections. 'Zambia today faces a severe HIV/AIDS pandemic that has began to threaten the well being and social economic development of the country,'' he said. Zambia faced a bleak future if the spread of the HIV/AIDS was not contained. The country also risked losing developmental gains scored in the last 30 years. He told delegates that families had been torn apart and appealed for concerted efforts and international support to mitigate effects of the impact of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.

Malaria now accounts for 30 per cent of all health centre and hospital admissions. The malaria case fatality rate rises from 10.6 to 51 deaths per 1000 population between 1996 and 1998. This scenario had caused a situation where 600,000 children were now orphans with an uncertain future. Dr Chiluba added that the US $160 million debt servicing obligation had worsened the situation.

'If this money was channeled to other social sectors, the problem would be minimised. Better health will only be achieved with adequate investment and developing programmes that are cost effective and sustainable,'' he said. Allaying the notion that African leaders lacked the political will to fight HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, he lashed at the Western researchers for being profit-driven in their research. "I am aware that research is often expensive and may be susceptible to being profit-oriented.'However, I believe that we are all called upon by an imperative of common humanity to look beyond profit and provide care to the vulnerable members of our society,'' he said.

Southern Africa had a high HIV/AIDS prevalence because of the social economic crisis behavioural patterns, poor blood safety programmes, poor intervention strategies, poverty and conflicts. Dr Chiluba said Zambia had not given up despite the odds and health reforms embarked on in 1991 were yielding positive results. The President challenged scientists to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and interventions that work. Traditional interventions that could work must be investigated so they could compliment scientific methods.

To the Western powers, Dr Chiluba intoned a positive attitude towards Africa must be developed. More help should be channeled towards the people that need assistance the most. World Health Organisation (WHO) director general Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland agreed concerns raised by heads of states of developing countries must be taken seriously. There was need for a greater partnership to scale up the global response to diseases most closely linked to poverty that affect the poorest three billion people. 'Poor countries cannot reduce the burden of diseases associated with poverty if they can spend only US $5 to $ 10 per person each year. In the case of malaria, we estimate that to reach agreed targets in Africa, an addition US $1 billion a year is required ,'' he said.

TB treatment require US $500 million in high burden areas. At least US $3 billion is required to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Improved access to retroviral drugs ought to be enhanced. African countries must however, lead the way in fighting HIV/AIDS. Spouse of the President of Indonesia Sinta Nuriyah Rahman said women faced serious health problems that must be addressed. She said unsafe abortions accounted for dangers to women getting infected with HIV/AIDS.

"AIDS Threatens Zambia's Future." By Joy Sata
Daily Mail, December 6, 2000

Zambia faces the threat of a bleak future if the spread of HIV/AIDS is not quickly contained. Delivering his keynote speech at the opening of the Okinawa International Conference on infectious diseases yesterday, President Chiluba said HIV/AIDS was contributing to the reversal of developmental gains made in Zambia over the past 30 years.

Dr Chiluba stated that this was the most critical development and humanitarian crisis Zambia faced today. The epidemic had created unprecedented changes in every aspect of lives of Zambians. He said there had been a systematic disintegration of the family unit and communities due to deaths from HIV/AIDS, resulting in the growing number of orphans facing an uncertain future because of lack of support. There are about 600,000 orphans in Zambia.

"Zambia today faces a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic that has begun to threaten the well-being and socio-economic development of the country," Dr Chiluba said. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has brought about several other infectious diseases that were almost under control in the early 1980s among them tuberculosis. He said there were now in excess of 40,000 new TB cases reported in Zambia every year and the consequences for people's health were grave.

Notification data from 1964 to 1996 shows a stable situation up to 1984 and a sharp increase of cases and rates during 1985 to 1996. Dr Chiluba said government had taken serious steps to address HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and TB through the establishment of strategic and institutional frameworks such as HIV/AIDS/STD/TB Council under a committee of Cabinet ministers.

Government has also launched a new HIV/AIDS strategic framework and national TB plan for the period 2001- 2003, outlining the vision and the steps for scaling up the response to the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics. He appealed for greater international co-operation in research to deal with infectious diseases that were steadily wrecking the economic performance of developing countries.

Research should not concentrate on disease affecting the affluent because infections in developing countries would impact the world community. He said although research was expensive and susceptible to being profit oriented, the international community should provide service to the vulnerable members of society. "Posturing will undoubtedly judge us harshly if we put profit before human service," Dr Chiluba said.

World Health Organisation (WHO) director general Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, said her organisation knew the investments needed and would show the results that could be achieved using independent reliable systems for monitoring progress. The Okinawa Conference is a follow up to the communiqué leaders of the G8 Summit who reflected the concerns of other leaders calling for a new partnership to scale up the global response to diseases linked to poverty.

"AIDS Depletes Zambia's Teacher Population."
Panafrican News Agency, December 6, 2000

The Zambian Ministry of Education has reported an astronomical rise in the cost of funerals for teachers killed by AIDS, which is also taking a toll on other sectors in the country. Although Zambia's school enrolment continues to grow at an annual rate of 2.3 percent, the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS continues to deplete the population of teachers at an alarming rate.

In 1998, the Ministry of Education reported that 1,331 teachers died as a result of AIDS. Worse, studies have reported an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of up to 40 percent among teachers. Current indicators show that the HIV prevalence rate among teachers has shot up to 45 percent, translating into five teachers dying daily throughout the country.

According to a study conducted by the Council and secretariat of Zambia's National HIV/AIDS/STD/TB Institutional Framework 2001-2003, the prevailing high rate of mortality and morbidity has further aggravated the scarcity of human resources. The study says even if teachers' training colleges increased their production of teachers, the shortfall arising from AIDS-related deaths will not be met in the short to medium term.

"This projection does not even take into account expansions that are required under a universal education scheme," the study says. Reports from the country's nine provinces indicate a shortage of teachers, attributed to the AIDS pandemic. "Apart from being understaffed, the productivity of teachers has dropped in part as a result of absences due to illness," the study says.

Even when teachers are present in class, the study has shown that the teachers suffer from exceedingly high levels of stress as they try to tackle the immense and complex social situations. The pandemic has also spread to the civil service, the largest employer in Zambia. "Although no figures are available, there has been an increase in mortality within the civil service with subsequent increase in direct and indirect costs in areas such as funeral disbursements, purchase of coffins, repatriation of spouses or children to areas of origin or of choice, and transportation for funerals," the study says.

The study also analyses the impact of HIV/AIDS on Zambia's agriculture. The country's agriculture sector employs a large percentage of the labour force and accounts for a major portion of the gross domestic product and export earnings. The effects of HIV/AIDS on the sector are therefore likely to impact on the national economy.

"The reported loss of productive labour force due to an increase in male and female mortality may in turn have one or more consequences such as the reduction of land use as people are physically unable to work in the field and decline in the range of crops per household as AIDS afflicted families," the study shows.

According to studies an estimated one million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the country of some 10 million people. About 690,000 have so far died from the disease and approximately 540,000 children have been orphaned.

"Firms Urged to Buy Immune Boosters."
Times of Zambia, December 5, 2000

Government has urged companies through the Zambia Business Coalition on AIDS (ZBCA) to procure immune boosters currently on the market for their workers at subsidised costs to prolong lives. Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Arthur Yoyo appealed in Ndola yesterday when he opened a four-day seminar on HIV/AIDS, organised by the ZBCA at Royal Hotel.

Mr Yoyo said the State was keen in the fight against the dreaded disease and had therefore formed the national council on HIV/AIDS to start full operations in January. He condemned the church for encouraging marrying couples to present clearance letters from medical personnel on their HIV status, saying the practice amounted to discrimination. The church should instead emphasise the need for people to seek the cure through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because he could cure all the diseases that afflicted man.

It was incumbent upon companies to increase their participation in fighting the scourge and save their human resources through life preservation. "More companies should join the coalition and widen the participation of the employees in the fight against the spread of the virus," he said.

ZBCA chairman Masautso Nyathando said coalition was currently composed of 109 members although some had not paid their subscription. Mr Nyanthando said the coalition was formed after realising the campaigns at work places were more effective in reaching the workers and protecting the human resource to ensure sustainable development. The coalition was initiated by four institutions including Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB), BP Zambia, Barclays Bank Zambia and Standard Chartered Bank Zambia.

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Last updated January 27, 2001