Trucking routes inflame sex trade, HIV

A new World Aids Day report shows that Namibia has made important strides in reducing new infections through its outreach programmes to rural communities, as well as focusing on sex worker and truck driver populations, which are increasing along its northern borders. A section titled ‘Focus on location and population’, however, added that legislation is needed to protect the rights of girls and women. According to the report, sex work is increasing in border areas along long-distance trucking routes. It also states that most new infections, which are among women aged between 15 and 49, occur in the Khomas, Erongo, Hardap, Zambezi, Kavango, Oshikoto, Kunene, Ohangwena and Omusati regions. According to the report, the number of people living with HIV is highest in the central and northern regions, where the highest concentration of those not receiving anti-retroviral treatment also live. “The Khomas and Kavango regions have the highest number of people living with HIV, who are not receiving anti-retroviral therapy,” said the report. It also points out that public utilities are limited within settlements around Windhoek and that alcohol and drug abuse is highly prevalent in these settlements. “There are many people living with HIV in these communities, who do not know their status, and treatment dropout rates are high.” However, recent efforts have extended services that address alcohol abuse, which contribute to high-risk sexual behaviour in most remote communities. The report also indicates that the health extension workers’ programme, which has recruited more than 4 200 people, is proving to be a positive community development initiative, which is increasing prevention and treatment services in remote northern rural areas. Another achievement cited by the report is the country’s flagship anti-retroviral therapy programme and the fact that the country’s Aids-related deaths have been drastically reduced. According to the report that was launched last week, Namibia’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme exceeds 95% coverage, which is among the highest in the world. The report states that further civil society involvement will promote a more coordinated prevention response, especially in regions with increasing new infections. “Civil society can make an important difference in further anti-retroviral therapy increasing its coverage and sustaining treatment adherence, especially in remote communities,” it said. The report also said that people living with HIV still face various forms of stigma and discrimination in accessing healthcare services, and in the workplace. In October it was announced that almost half of Namibia’s new HIV infections occur in young women aged between 15 and 24. According to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative for Namibia, Micaela Marques de Sousa, many of them are not receiving treatment and remain susceptible to infections, despite commendable advances made in the prevention, treatment and HIV care. Health and Social Services Minister, Bernhard Haufiku, said the country’s gains against HIV are reversing and the nation has become complacent. JEMIMA BEUKES