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Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ) has declared child defilement a preventable public health emergency, warning that thousands of children are being exposed to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections due to delayed reporting and weak response systems.
According to data from the Zambia Police Service, 4,978 cases of defilement were recorded between 2021 and 2025.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, MQHZ Director General, Dr. Quince Mwabu, said the continued rise in cases represents a gross violation of children’s rights and a growing public health crisis that demands urgent national action.
Mwabu said children who experience sexual abuse face a significantly increased risk of HIV infection, other STIs, and long-term physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
He noted that receiving medical care within 72 hours of an assault is critical in preventing HIV infection and reducing adverse health outcomes.
However, he said delays in reporting, inadequate child-friendly health services, and weak coordination among institutions continue to prevent timely care for survivors.
“The situation is particularly severe in rural and hard-to-reach areas, where stigma, limited awareness, and lack of access to appropriate services contribute to delays in seeking post-exposure prophylaxis, STI treatment, and psychosocial support,” Mwabu said.
He added that many cases occur in familiar settings, including within communities and homes where children should be safest.
“This underscores the urgent need to strengthen child protection systems, improve early detection, and ensure rapid intervention. Both girls and boys remain vulnerable, and all forms of child sexual violence must be addressed with equal urgency across the health, social welfare, and justice sectors,” he said.
Mwabu called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and improved coordination among families, communities, healthcare workers, and law enforcement agencies.
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He stressed that perpetrators must be held fully accountable, saying failure to act decisively continues to expose children to preventable harm with lifelong consequences.
Mwabu also urged parents, guardians, and community members to report suspected or confirmed cases immediately and seek urgent medical attention from the nearest health facility or relevant authorities.
“Survivors must have immediate access to comprehensive and confidential care, including medical treatment, HIV prevention, STI screening and management, and psychosocial support,” he said.
He reiterated that child protection should remain a national priority, with stronger collaboration between communities, health facilities, social welfare services, and law enforcement to ensure early identification and swift response to all cases of child sexual abuse.
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