STORY: Zambia calls for involvement of communities in HIV/AIDS response
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 1, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 2, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:09
LOCATION: Lusaka
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the event
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SYLVIA MASEBO, Zambian Minister of Health
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SYLVIA MASEBO, Zambian Minister of Health
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): THARCISSE BARIHUTA, UNAIDS Country Director for Zambia

STORYLINE:

Zambia on Friday joined the rest of the world in commemorating this year's World AIDS Day with the government calling for the involvement of communities in the HIV and AIDS response if the fight was to be successful.

Held under the theme, "Let Communities Lead", the main event, held at the Olympic Development Center in Lusaka, the country's capital, started with a march past by various organizations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SYLVIA MASEBO, Zambian Minister of Health
"Unless communities lead, the HIV and AIDS response will continue being hampered. Our country stands to benefit, when communities are entrusted with leadership in determining the health, social and economic needs of their members."

While acknowledging the importance of involving communities in the HIV and AIDS response, the minister underscored the need for community-led responses to be adequately supported to enable communities play their vital role as equal, full-integrated partners in national systems for health and social services.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SYLVIA MASEBO, Zambian Minister of Health
"Communities give voice to people who are often excluded from decision-making processes. Effective community-led HIV responses must be adequately resourced and supported to enable communities play their vital roles as equal, fully-integrated partners in national systems for health and social services."

The minister said Zambia has made progress in the HIV and AIDS response with over 1.2 million people on life-saving anti-retroviral drugs.

UNAIDS Country Director for Zambia Tharcisse Barihuta said the involvement of communities in the HIV and AIDS response was vital as community involvement has helped tackle other pandemics in the world.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): THARCISSE BARIHUTA, UNAIDS Country Director for Zambia
"We know the path to ending AIDS involves supporting communities in their advocacy, participation and accountability, service delivery, and evidence generation. Community-led organizations connect people with the services that they need, reaching those who have not been reached with health, HIV, and support services."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lusaka.
(XHTV)