Over 1, 300 Harare youths contract HIV each year
* Nearly 50% of new HIV cases in Harare are among youths aged 15–24
* 195,000+ people living with HIV in Harare Province.
HARARE — More than 1,300 youths aged 15 to 24 contract HIV each year in Harare, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on young people in a province where more than 195,000 residents are living with the virus, officials said Tuesday.
Harare Province has an HIV prevalence rate of 8.4%, with about 2,644 new infections recorded annually. Nearly half of those new cases occur among youths aged 15 to 24, according to figures presented at a sensitisation meeting organised by the National AIDS Council.
The statistics were highlighted by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Senator Charles Tawengwa, during a sensitisation meeting organised by the National AIDS Council (NAC) on Tuesday.
Addressing councillors, mayors, deputy mayors, as well as leaders from the church and business communities, Senator Tawengwa called for a united and coordinated response to HIV, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the growing problem of drug and substance abuse in the province.
“These statistics are not just numbers; they represent real lives, families and communities being disrupted by these challenges. We must strengthen our commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV,” Senator Tawengwa said.
Senator Tawengwa stressed that young people remain the most affected group, with 1 341 new infections recorded annually among those aged between 15 and 24 years.
He urged leaders to prioritise targeted awareness campaigns and education programmes that promote safe sexual and reproductive health practices.
Despite the worrying infection rates among young people, the Minister said Harare Province has made notable progress in HIV treatment.
He commended the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National AIDS Council for rolling out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV treatment administered twice a year.
Senator Tawengwa also identified stigma and discrimination as major obstacles in the fight against HIV and drug abuse, urging councillors to take the lead in promoting openness and community acceptance.
He also warned of the growing threat posed by drug and substance abuse, particularly among youths, and called for urgent, coordinated action to ensure prevention programmes and healthcare services are accessible to vulnerable communities.
NAC Harare Provincial Manager, Mr Adonijah Muzondiona, said the meeting marked a significant milestone in capacitating councillors in the Harare Metropolitan Province.
“The meeting aimed to educate councillors on the role and responsibilities of NAC and its mandate. We shared updates on the HIV epidemic, new technologies like injectables, and prevention methods such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) among other things,” he said.
He said councillors play a critical role in disseminating accurate information at grassroots level, addressing stigma and coordinating with district AIDS committees, district AIDS coordinators and health volunteers. _*– Herald*_
