An update on the AIDS Levy

The MillenniumDevelopment Goal number six is aimed at eradicating HIV and AIDS globally. It  focuses on the "combat against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases". The heart of this piece is to talk about the fight against HIV/AIDS in the context of Zimbabwe. 

The country, through various organisations and the Government, has done its best to at least achieve this MDG. As we fast approach 2015 in a few months time, it is of paramount importance that all Zimbabweans get to know what as been done in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Southern Africa is the epicentre of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2009 Sub-Saharan Africa had 22, 5 million people living with HIV out of the 38 million HIV infected people globally (UNAIDS, 2008). In Zimbabwe, there are about 1,2  million adults living with HIV/AIDS. This disease is said to potentially reduce Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Southern African countries by up to 18 percent by the year 2020 if not adequately addressed.

The National AIDSCouncil (NAC), through the Aids Levy, has contributed in the battle against HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Levy was introduced through enactment of the National AIDS Council Act (Chapter 15:14) and has been further maintained annually by the subsequent finance Acts. It is three percent of PAYE and corporate tax. It is Collected by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and remitted to NAC on a monthly basis. Last year, NAC revealed that about $38 million would be collected from next year's AIDS Levy while $35 million has been put aside for this year.

AIDS Levy collections and projects coutersy of NAC.

The HIV prevalence rates in Zimbabwe have gone down form 27,2 percent in 1998 to 15 percent. Although there is an remarkabe margin, it it still too high. According to the 2010Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) report, HIV prevalence is higher among the employed at 17 percent compared to 13 percent among the unemployed. 

We can not really answer why the world of the employed or employers could be producing such figures. This also reconfirms that HIV is serous even in the work place. For that reason, a reflection of how important the AIDS Levy is to those working and not.  For the common good and benefit of all Zimbabweans with or without HIV, the AIDS Levy has played its role in the combat against the most feared disease.

Let's keep the promise!