Organization: Lusaka Provincial Health Office
Region: Africa
Nationality: Congo| The Democratic Republic of the
Country: Zambia
Interests & expertise: Co-infections (TB, hepatitis, STIs, etc.)
Profession or occupation: Educator/trainer
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
More than 40 years after the discovery of HIV, the pandemic remains a global health crisis with more than 78 million people acquiring HIV since 1981; 37 million people are currently living with HIV and 39 million have died from HIV-related conditions. Although central, eastern, western and southern Africa is the most affected, the eastern and southern Africa regions bear about 60% of the global burden of HIV. This could not leave me cold; it required immediate action.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
HIV is preventable, treatable and, soon, curable. I strongly believe that:
1. We can significantly reduce the number of HIV acquisitions globally if we scale up the available proven prevention measures.
2. We can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate of HIV by adequately using the available antiretroviral drugs arsenal.