Prof Mavima Challenges Media To Amplify HIV/AIDS Messaging
Acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Professor Paul Mavima, has officially opened a two-day workshop for editors from media institutions operating in Zimbabwe, organized by the National AIDS Council (NAC).
In his address, Prof. Mavima highlighted the significant progress Zimbabwe has made in the HIV response, including a reduction in HIV incidence and prevalence. HIV prevalence has come down from 13.6% in 2016 to 11% last year, and the country has rapidly expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, moving towards the 95-95-95 targets.
“Despite this progress, HIV remains a public health threat that requires concerted efforts by various sectors to truncate it and coast towards epidemic control,” said Prof. Mavima.
The Acting Minister praised the National AIDS Council for recognizing the media as a key partner in the HIV response, acknowledging the media’s strong influence on human behavior and its role as a catalyst for positive social change.
“You [the media] therefore have to unleash that potential and ensure that the media scales up its role as we pursue ending AIDS by 2030, in line with the NDS1 goal of health and well-being as well as Sustainable Development Goals,” he urged the editors.
Prof. Mavima also acknowledged the transformation of the media landscape, with innovative information communication technologies (ICTs) broadening the media space and empowering the public as both consumers and producers of information.
He called on the media to embrace ICTs to remain competitive and ensure they reach their target audience in a timely manner.
The two-day workshop aims to strengthen the partnership between the National AIDS Council and the media, with the goal of amplifying the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.
