SYDNEY MUBAIWA
CHINHOYI- Zimbabwe has recorded a significant drop in the mother -to- child HIV transmission rate from 11 to 7 percent, a move credited to efforts made by the country to achieve the UNAids 95 goals.
The targets which were set by UNAids, stipulate that, 95 percent of the population must know their HIV status while 95 percent of these individuals must be initiated on antiretrovirial treatment with 95 percent of the same population having achieved viral suppression.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch National Aids Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Benard Madzima said Zimbabwe has recorded a sharp decline in mother-to-child HIV infections.
“The prevention of Mother -to-child transmission (PMTCT) initiative achieved 88.19 percent national coverage in 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of NAC’s integrated approach which ensures that pregnant and breastfeeding women receive timely ART, significantly reducing the risk of vertical transmission.
“In Zimbabwe, 97 percent of adults have been tested and know their status. Of those, 96 percent are on effective ARV treatment, and among them 95 percent have suppressed viral load,” said Madzima.
He said their target is to further reduce the rate to below five percent which is a threshold required for global validation.
“We are, aimed at reducing the rate to below five percent which is a threshold required for global validation,” he said.
He said the country has since established a national validation committee to work on a roadmap to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
To reduce the risk of HIV transmission from the mother during breastfeeding, Zimbabwe has also intensified its monitoring and prevention programmes in rural clinics.
The country’s progress in HIV prevention, testing and treatment has received a huge recognition with NAC being recognised as a top performing state entity at the 2025 Performance Contract awards held recently.
