Prominance Sinomusa Khumalo
BULAWAYO – New data released by the National AIDS Council show that Matabeleland recorded 44 % fewer HIV infections in 2024 compared with 2020, while the number of people living with the virus fell from 79 711 to 76 608 over the same period.
The province has also pushed antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage to 98.3 %, up from 87.5 % recorded in 2020.
According to the executive summary presented this week, the estimates are drawn from all available high-quality information and are used to track the course of the epidemic, guide the local HIV response and set targets for national strategic plans and donor agreements.
Age-specific figures show the following changes:
- Young people aged 15-24: infections declined from 4 673 in 2020 to 3 713 in 2024, reflecting progress in youth-focused prevention work.
- Children 0-14: cases dropped from 4 308 to 3 056, pointing to continued success in preventing mother-to-child transmission.
- Adults 15-49: the total living with HIV is down from 60 118 in 2020, easing the burden on the reproductive-age population.
Health officials say the reductions underline the benefits of consistent condom use, regular HIV testing and immediate treatment for anyone who tests positive. Residents are encouraged to know their status by getting tested at least twice a year and to use protection every time they have sex so that the downward trend in new infections can be maintained.
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