By CHILA NAMAIKO? –

CHIEF Macha of the Tonga-speaking people in Choma has called for more efforts in sensitising people in the fight against HIV/AIDS, citing rural areas where the majority lack information.
The traditional leader said HIV/AIDS had become an impediment to the human development and that efforts to eradicate it required continued sensitisation to communities.?He said stakeholders such as the church should take active roles in disseminating educative information to the fight against HIV/AIDS which had claimed millions of people globally.
The chief was speaking at the weekend when his chiefdom launched a policy leadership and declaration commitment to combat HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive manner.
In line with his chiefdom’s 2015-2019 strategic development plan to be launched soon, the declaration commitment identified 18 key drivers of HIV/AIDS and how best they can counter them.
“We need to remain committed to fighting HIV/AIDS and my appeal is for various stakeholders to help sensitise rural communities because people need more information,” he said.
He hailed the United States Government for sponsoring the project and helping the chiefdom develop a strategic plan, through Support to the HIV/AIDS Response (SHAReII) in Zambia, a USAID funded project.
The chief urged his headmen, who earlier attended a workshop where they identified the drivers of HIV/AIDS for his chiefdom and brainstormed on appropriate solutions, to implement contents of the policy declaration to respond to HIV/AIDS fight.
SHAReII Organisational, Development and Policy Manager Charles Hankoma said chiefs play an important role in responding to HIV/AIDS because of being close to many communities.