Progress in AIDS battle to be discussed

As HIV/AIDS continues its assault on Zimbabwe, the country organises its first national conference to assess the progress made in mitigating the effects of the pandemic. Research shows that some 4,000 people die of AIDS-related illnesses each week and an estimated 26 percent of the country's 11.6 million population are HIV-positive. The conference, to be held between 15 and 18 June, is also expected to discuss the role of traditional medicine, nutrition, exercise and stress management in coping with the disease. "It will give us the opportunity to talk publicly about things like how traditional medicines assist in suppressing AIDS symptoms. Apart from that, traditional medicine is cheaper and can prolong life," president of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers' Association, Gordon Chavunduka, told the UN news service PlusNews.