By Julias Manganda
Zimbabwe today joined the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day, a day to honour lives lost to HIV/AIDS, stand in solidarity with those living with the virus, and reinforce efforts toward prevention, treatment, and ultimately ending the epidemic.
This year’s theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” highlights the need to adapt and strengthen strategies in the face of ongoing challenges.
First observed in 1988, World AIDS Day remains one of the most prominent international health observances, serving as a reminder that HIV continues to pose a serious public health threat, affecting millions worldwide.
The theme calls on governments, health institutions, communities, and individuals to ensure universal access to life-saving services, fight stigma, and prioritise education and prevention. In Zimbabwe, where HIV has left a profound mark on society, the day carries added significance.
Latest statistics show that 9.8% of adults in Zimbabwe are living with HIV, translating to approximately 1.3 million people, placing the country among those with high prevalence globally. Across the region, Eswatini leads with 23.4%, followed by South Africa at 17.2%, Lesotho at 17.1%, Botswana at 15.7%, and Mozambique at 11.5%.
Zimbabwe has made notable progress in treatment and prevention. About 88% of women and 82% of men living with HIV are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), while 78% of children with HIV are on treatment. The country has significantly reduced new infections among infants, thanks to Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission services that ensure nearly all pregnant women receive ART.
Medical advances continue to reshape the fight against HIV. One recent breakthrough is Gilead Sciences’ drug Yeztugo, containing Lenacapavir, approved in some jurisdictions as a long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option that provides up to six months of protection against HIV. Experts say this innovation has the potential to transform prevention, particularly for populations at high risk, though access, cost, and regulatory approvals in Africa remain challenges.
Expanded ART coverage and stronger health systems have allowed many people living with HIV to live longer, healthier lives. The global “U = U” principle — undetectable equals untransmittable — has helped reduce stigma, showing that individuals who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit the virus.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. Many communities, especially in rural areas, still lack adequate healthcare access. Young people and vulnerable groups face higher risks due to limited knowledge, social barriers, and economic inequality.
World AIDS Day is more than a commemoration; it is a call to action. It reminds citizens, policymakers, and healthcare providers to invest in prevention, promote regular HIV testing, support treatment adherence, and fight all forms of stigma and discrimination.
As the world works toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the day stands as a symbol of unity, resilience, and shared responsibility, underscoring the urgent need to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV.
