GOVT COMMITTED TO ENDING AIDS BY 2030

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has pledged Government’s commitment to ending AIDS by 2030.President Lungu said ending AIDS by 2030 was only attainable if everyone takes responsibility and ownership of their health.Mr Lungu said Government had embarked on a programme of ensuring universal health coverage which includes ending AIDS by 2030.The Head of State said this yesterday in a speech by Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya during this year’s World AIDS Day commemorations at Kalingalinga grounds in Lusaka.And Zambia has become the seventh country to attain the 90-90-90 target of attaining HIV epidemic control.This means that 90 percent of the country’s population know their HIV status while 90 percent of those living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy and 90 percent of those on treatment have reached viral load suppression.Meanwhile, President Lungu has expressed appreciation to the American government for supporting Zambia in its fight against HIV and AIDS.And United States Chargé D’affaires David Young described Zambia’s attainment of the 90-90-90 epidemic control of HIV as an extraordinary achievement.Mr. Young said this means that HIV will no longer be a leading cause of death and disability in the country.Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator Coumba Mar Gadio expressed happiness with the progress made by Zambia.