Senior Chief Kaputa of the Tabwa people in Luapula Province says vulnerability issues predisposing young people to risks of HIV infection and early marriages should be addressed failure to which the vices will remain unabated.

The traditional leader singled out poverty as the major vulnerability factor influencing risky social behaviours especially among the poor rural folk. He however cautioned Zambians against looking up to others to uplift them out of poverty but rather exploit their different talents to make a difference.

Former Chairperson of the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) Bishop Dr Joshua Banda has urged the new crop of board members to increase local financing to support the AIDS response by fully utilizing the law which allows the institution to mobilise resources.
Bishop Banda’s observations come in the backdrop of the heavy external dependence syndrome of the national HIV response at about 86 per cent with locally generated funds estimated at a paltry 14 per cent.

Up to half of children infected with HIV at birth don’t have the necessary immunity to ward off measles, mumps, and rubella, according to new research.Infectious disease experts say this is a result of years of cautious immunization practices in young HIV patients.

It can, however, be corrected by ensuring that children with HIV have their full course of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations.