By Chipo Gudhe

Kwekwe has emerged as the district with the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Midlands Province, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Speaking on the latest HIV statistics in Redcliff last week, Midlands Provincial HIV Focal Person Brian Musayerenge revealed that Kwekwe currently has 33,589 people living with HIV, the highest among all eight districts in the province.

“Kwekwe leads in the province in terms of the number of people living with HIV. This is largely due to its gold-rich areas which have attracted artisanal mining and, consequently, a rise in transactional and high-risk sexual behaviours,” Musayerenge said.

Following Kwekwe, Gweru ranks second with 29,252 PLHIV, while Gokwe South (27,201) and Zvishavane (19,096) also record significant figures. Other districts include Mberengwa (17,872), Shurugwi (15,333), Gokwe North (12,614) and Chirumhanzu (10,061).

According to Musayerenge, the province as a whole has 165,019 people living with HIV, with 7,119 children aged 0–14 years and 157,900 adults aged 15 and above.

In Kwekwe, the HIV incidence rate is pegged at 0.20, with a 4% positivity rate per 1,000 clients tested. These figures are raising concern among health authorities as they reflect persistent transmission in specific communities.

Efforts to curb the spread of HIV include wide-scale distribution of preventive tools. Musayerenge said from January to December 2024, Kwekwe distributed 52,099 female condoms and a staggering 1,311,889 male condoms — the highest figures in the province.

“The high condom distribution numbers are encouraging, as they reflect ongoing demand and uptake of preventive measures,” Musayerenge said.