Zambia has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, surpassing the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

Speaking at the 16th Annual HIV/TB/STI/Viral Hepatitis Conference in Lusaka, Minister of Health Dr Elijah Muchima celebrated this achievement, noting that over 1.3 million Zambians are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), new HIV infections have reduced in eight years, and AIDS-related deaths have dropped by over 60% in the last decade.

Dr Muchima attributed these successes to collective efforts from the government, civil society, and cooperating partners. He stressed the importance of sustainability by unveiling the Zambia HIV Sustainability Roadmap, which aims to achieve a domestically funded HIV response by 2030.

The US Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales highlighted the role of partnerships, including PEPFAR, and called for addressing barriers adolescents face, particularly the age of consent for accessing services.

Meanwhile, UNAIDS Country Director Dr Isaac Ahemesah commended Zambia’s collaborative approach, which focuses on reviewing progress and addressing gaps through unified strategies.

With a commitment to sustainability and reaching vulnerable populations, Zambia is on track to eliminate HIV as a public health threat, offering a global model for HIV response.