By Kristie Mikus –
SINCE the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) started working in Zambia just more than 10 years ago, dramatic progress has occurred in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
More than 500,000 people are currently on life-saving anti-retroviral medication; in 2013 alone nearly 200,000 men volunteered to undergo medical male circumcision, a procedure proven to reduce a man’s risk of HIV infection by up to 60 percent;and more than two million Zambians are tested and counselled annually for HIV.
Unfortunately, thousands of Zambians are still not able to access HIV services for a variety of reasons.
Information and actions for HIV prevention and risk reduction remain unavailable for some marginalised groups in Zambia.
For example, most clinics that test, counsel, and treat are not set up to accommodate people with physical or intellectual disabilities.
Sex workers do not have easy access to HIV testing or condoms to prevent HIV transmission.  Prisoners, who have a disproportionately high rate of HIV and are very vulnerable to acquiring tuberculosis, do not always have access to life-saving testing and medication.
Other vulnerable populations may not seek HIV services for fear of stigma and lack of confidentiality.
Last year, PEPFAR honoured 12 champions who broke new ground–by coming out publicly with their HIV status; by going against tradition to help prevent the spread of HIV; by advocating anti-retroviral drug programs to come to their communities; by helping people adhere to their drug regimes; and by providing care and support to those affected by AIDS.
This year, PEPFAR will again honour 12 champions who are breaking new ground, this time in a different way: The focus this year will be on people who have gone the extra mile to promote equal access to quality HIV services for all Zambians.
Champions will receive a cash prize for the community-based organisation of their choice, will be featured in a PEPFAR Champions 2015 calendar, and will be honored in an event in Lusaka around World AIDS Day, December 1, 2014.
Write to PEPFARZambia@state.gov to learn how to nominate your PEPFAR Zambia Champion by September 10, 2014.
We are inspired by people like Minerva Phiri of Bwafwano Care Providers Smile Centre in Kitwe, who recognised that persons with disabilities in her community were not able to easily get information about prevention, care, and treatment, even though they were at great risk of contracting HIV.
In response, with funding from PEPFAR’s small grants program,she launched an HIV/AIDS sensitisation programme for children with disabilities.
Every Zambian should have equal access to quality and confidential HIV services.
For World AIDS Day 2014, let’s honour champions of this public health approach, like Minerva Phiri, who are helping to get HIV information and services to hard-to-reach individuals and communities.
• The author is PEPFAR Zambia Country Coordinator