Today, the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) joined other partners at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024 under the theme “Take the Rights Path.”
CIDRZ participated in the commemoration through its various projects, including the USAID Zambia Empowered Children and Adolescents Program (ECAP) III, the United States Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme, the CDC Zambia-supported Provincial Ownership to Uplift Delivery of HIV Services in Zambia (PROUD-Z) Project, and USAID’s Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP) I Project, showcasing its transformative works in the health sector.
The 2024 World AIDS Day theme emphasised the critical role of human rights in the fight against HIV/AIDS, highlighting the need to protect the rights of all individuals to achieve an AIDS-free world. 
The event was officiated by the Acting Minister of Health Mr Elias Mubanga, who is also the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.
Mr Mubanga emphasised the importance of prioritising human rights in the fight against HIV/AIDS while highlighting the government’s commitment to education as a fundamental right and a powerful tool for HIV prevention.
He noted that by equipping young people with knowledge, they can make informed decisions to protect themselves from HIV and other life-threatening infections.
Mr Mubanga also launched the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework 2023-2027, aimed at strengthening Zambia’s HIV response.
And speaking at the same event, U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzalez highlighted the significant contribution of the United States in supporting Zambia’s fight against HIV/AIDS.
Mr Gonzales said, through the support of the U.S. government, nearly 1.3 million Zambians are being provided with life-saving HIV treatment free of charge.
“This year alone, the U.S. government, through The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has conducted over 5.4 million HIV tests and identified over 125,000 new positive cases. Out of this number, more than 114,000-representing 91% have been put on life-saving antiretroviral therapy,” he said.
According to a new report by UNAIDS, the world can achieve the agreed goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, provided leaders take action to protect the human rights of everyone living with or at risk of HIV.
