Harare Sounds Alarm Over Rising HIV Infections Among Youth
Harare is facing growing concern over HIV after new figures showed that more than half of the province’s annual infections are among young people aged 15 to 24. Health authorities say they are stepping up awareness campaigns and prevention programmes to reverse the trend.
The concerns were raised during a National AIDS Council (NAC) sensitisation meeting in Mazowe attended by provincial heads of Government departments.
Harare Youth HIV Infections Raise Fresh Concern
According to The Herald, Harare Metropolitan Province has an estimated 195,429 people living with HIV, with a prevalence rate of 8.4%. The province records about 2,644 new HIV infections each year, including 1,341 among people aged between 15 and 24.
Dr Shingirayi Mushamba, Secretary for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said the figures showed the need for targeted interventions.
“We are very concerned because although HIV and TB cases have generally declined, our statistical analysis shows an increase in infections among the 15 to 24 age group. That is our future at stake.”
Government Steps Up HIV Prevention Campaigns
Dr Mushamba said Government would work with schools, parents, local authorities, the Ministry of Health and Child Care and NAC to strengthen education and behavioural change programmes. He also urged young people to access prevention services, including Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) after possible exposure to HIV.
NAC Harare provincial manager Adonijah Muzondiona said Harare continues to carry Zimbabwe’s largest HIV burden because of its population size. He added that adolescent girls and young women remain the most affected, while community awareness and safer sexual practices remain key to reducing new infections.
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