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The statistics are heartbreaking. Terrifying in its scope, globally over 34 million people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. In
2011, 1.7 million died of this still incurable disease. In
Sub-Saharan Africa, there were 1.9 million new infections and 1.2
million adult and child deaths from AIDS. Fortunately, progress has
been observed in the fight against this deadly virus. Growth of new
infections and deaths have begun to slow. Eight million patients have
gained access to life-saving anti-retroviral medicines which do not
cure the infection but thwart reproduction of the virus in the body.
There is global momentum to try to stop new infections among children
by 2015. UNAIDS estimates that a total of 2.5 million deaths have been
averted in low and middle income countries due to the roll out of
anti-retroviral therapies.
Zimbabwe is one of the most highly infected countries in Sub-Saharan
Africa. In 2011, it was estimated 14% of the adult population was HIV
positive. One million AIDS orphans live in Zimbabwe. Every year Zimbabwe experiences 83,000 deaths due to AIDS. Still, there is hope in the drop in new
infections and the growth in those accessing the anti-retroviral
medicines. But so much more needs to be done. Villagers in rural areas
do not have ready access to these medicines. AIDS orphans suffer the
loss of parents and economic support.
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