KITWE - The Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) in Kitwe says the reduction in donor funding is contributing to an increase in new HIV infections and could reverse Zambia's progress in combating the epidemic.
NZP+ Kitwe District Coordinator Forward Katukula said the withdrawal of donor support has disrupted critical HIV prevention and treatment programmes, making it more difficult to sustain efforts to reduce new infections.
His remarks follow recent data from the Copperbelt Provincial Health Office, which shows that Kitwe recorded about 1,800 new HIV infections in 2025, the highest in the province. Ndola recorded more than 1,600 new infections, while Mufulira reported over 600 cases and Chingola at least 400, making the four districts the province's leading HIV hotspots.
Speaking in an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Katukula urged the government to increase funding to the Ministry of Health, particularly in districts experiencing high numbers of new HIV infections, to ensure prevention, testing and treatment services remain accessible.
Despite the increase in new infections, Copperbelt Provincial Health Director Dr. Charles Mwinuna said the province has achieved the 93-93-93 HIV treatment cascade, bringing it closer to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets aimed at ending the HIV epidemic.
Source: Phoenix News
Author: Justina Matandiko