Heads of Christian Church Denominations (HOCD) in Zimbabwe on Friday launched an HIV/AIDS policy document that sets out the guidelines and principles in the fight against the pandemic.

The document becomes the second from groups of Christians after the Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches (UDAZ) in Zimbabwe launched another in September this year.

In a speech read on his behalf, Health and Child Welfare Minister, David Parirenyatwa, said the document would help further reduce the pandemic's prevalence rate.

He noted the drop in prevalence rate from a peak of 31 percent in 2003, to 24.6 percent in 2004 and subsequently to 21.3 this year.

Despite the decline, Zimbabweans should continue to guard and expand their prevention methods, he said, adding that the commitment of spiritual and religious organizations would influence behavior change among their followers.

HOCD President Trevor Manhanga encouraged open discussion in churches, promotion of safe sex and testing and counseling before couples get married.

Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the region, with an estimated 3,000 people dying from AIDS related illnesses each week.

About 90 percent of infected people are not aware of their status while 600,000 of those carrying the HIV virus have the signs and symptoms of AIDS and require varying degrees of care and support.

Source: Xinhua