NAC highlights Non-Communicable diseases as a barrier to HIV progress

By Dumisani Ndlovu

REDCLIFF –The National AIDS Council (NAC) has identified non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as significant obstacles in the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS, especially among individuals living with HIV (PLHIV). To address this emerging challenge, NAC has developed comprehensive strategies focusing on NCD screening, disaster preparedness, and the management of substance abuse.
While advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have greatly improved life expectancy for PLHIV, these individuals are now at increased risk for NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. This heightened vulnerability, coupled with the growing burden of NCDs in the general population, threatens to undermine the progress made in HIV prevention and treatment.
At a recent sensitization meeting in Redcliff, the provincial heads of government parastatals received an update on the current state of HIV and AIDS in Midlands Province. Margaret Mika, the NAC Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Midlands, reported that Zimbabwe has made significant progress toward achieving the United Nations Fast-Track targets. The current adult metrics are 97/99/96, meaning that 97% of people living with HIV know their status, 99% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 96% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. These figures are close to the universal target of 95-95-95. However, Mika highlighted a concerning lag in pediatric care, with figures at only 68/98/89.
In Midlands Province, new HIV infections have decreased from 22,882 in 2019 to 17,337 in 2022. The current number of individuals living with HIV in the province stands at 165,019, reflecting a prevalence rate of 7.5%. Nationwide, approximately 1.3 million people are living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
Mika emphasized that while Zimbabwe is on track to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030, the rising incidence of NCDs, challenges in pandemic preparedness, male engagement in health initiatives, and issues related to drug abuse pose significant risks to sustaining these advancements. "However, risks remain to maintain the gains made to date, and these risks span all areas of the health system," she noted.
In response to these threats, Zimbabwe is implementing Integration Strategic Pillars aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing morbidity and mortality related to both HIV and NCDs. Mika explained that the introduction of ART has greatly improved survival rates for PLHIV, leading to longer lifespans and, consequently, increased susceptibility to age-related NCDs.
NAC Provincial Manager Mambewu Shumba expressed concern that the progress made in the HIV and AIDS response could be compromised by emerging issues such as NCDs. He also pointed to climate change as an exacerbating factor, with natural disasters such as floods disrupting healthcare access for people living with HIV.
Shumba further described substance abuse as an "elephant in the room," highlighting its connection to risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex. He called for greater male involvement in health initiatives, encouraging men to accompany their wives to health facilities to receive support and services.
Shumba concluded that a collaborative approach is essential to ensure the sustained success of HIV and AIDS programs while also addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.