UAY

The Crisis

Zimbabwe has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, estimated at 15.3 per cent (UNAIDS, 2008). In January 2008, UNAIDS reported that HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe had fallen over the past five years. However, while education and publicity work to raise awareness of prevention methods have led to a decrease in the incidence of new infection, the number of orphans and people suffering from chronic illness due to HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe continues to escalate.

The high prevalence of HIV in Zimbabwe has resulted in the loss of many developmental gains of the last 2 decades. Erosion of critical human resources and the strain brought about by HIV & AIDS on families has also impacted the economy greatly. Efforts to address other human development issues (e.g. access to health and education) are greatly hampered by the AIDS epidemic. HIV and AIDS are acknowledged as the biggest threats to human development in Zimbabwe. For 10 years, Zimbabwe has been among the three worst affected countries in terms of HIV prevalence, morbidity and mortality.