PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday urged Zambians to use condoms, circumcision and avoid multiple and concurrent sexual affairs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

And health minister Kapembwa Simbao implored all men regardless of their age to go for circumcision.

Meanwhile, President Banda has said he is worried about alcohol abuse among youths and their patronising nightclubs, directing relevant government authorities to curb the growing trend.

Launching the a three-day Zambia HIV prevention convention under theme: Securing Zambia’s future at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, President Banda said HIV/AIDS was robbing Zambia of the much needed human capital by decimating educated and productive women and men in their prime, many of whom had been trained at great cost to the treasury.

“This poses a serious threat to the present and future development of this country. For this reason, my government will do all it takes to provide an environment in which Zambians will enjoy a healthy and productive life,” President Banda said. “The government’s free condom distribution programme is helping sexually active Zambians to make informed decisions about protecting themselves from HIV infection.”
He said Zambia was faced with challenges that required frankness and honesty from Zambians.

“I am informed that multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships especially among stable and long-standing relationships are a leading source of new infections in the country. Within these relationships, consistent and correct condom use remain dismally low despite condoms being readily available and in most cases free of charge. If we want to stop HIV, we have to stop this behaviour,” President Banda said. “As a practical measure, condom use should be promoted alongside the promotion of abstinence. Condoms are important for general sexual reproductive health and the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.”

On male circumcision, President Banda said it was important for males of all ages to be encouraged to undergo circumcision to reduce new HIV infections.

“It should, however, be noted that circumcision is only effective when used with other preventative measures. We should encourage our young men to become circumcised,” President Banda said. “Alcohol abuse and domestic violence are equally of great concern to my government. I direct the relevant arms of government to come up with ways of curbing these two vices because they contribute to the spread of the virus.”
President Banda said he was particularly concerned about the high number of underage children being allowed in bars and nightclubs.

“We need to stop this. Alcohol abuse among the young is becoming worrisome to my government,” said President Banda. “If we do not innovatively address these challenges, we risk a further spread of the HIV infection with the potential to lose all the gains made in the national HIV and AIDS response so far.”

And Simbao urged Zambians to use condoms to prevent themselves from contracting HIV and AIDS like people in other countries had done.
“This country we are seeing reduction in condom use and that is very, very scary, very, very worrying. What is the problem? Why don’t people who know they can’t stick to one partner, why don’t they want to use the condom? These things are available free,” Simbao said. “Please the Zambian people, let us use condoms.”

Simbao also said male circumcision was good to prevent HIV/AIDS.
He said only 15 per cent of women and men aged 15 to 49 years of age had received an HIV test in the last 12 months, which he described as a very low percentage.

“We have many women with concurrent partners. This is very bad,” said Simbao.
Meanwhile, National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) board chairperson Bishop Joshua Banda said about 82,000 cases of HIV infections were recorded every year.
In a vote of thanks, Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) chairperson Gevar Nsanzya said his organization would continue to support the government and national efforts aimed at achieving the vision of a nation free from the threat of HIV/AIDS.

“We hope that government through you your Excellency the President will put in place policies that will support practical implementation of resolutions of this convention,” said Nsanzya.