HIV/AIDS |

Zim commemorates World AIDS Day 2022

December 1, 2022December 12, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day on December 1, 2022. The commemorations were held at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province. Speaking on behalf of the Vice President and Health and Child Care Minister Dr Constantine Chiwenga, Minister of State and Devolution for Mashonaland East Apolonia Munzverengi said inasmuch as the COVID-19 pandemic stalled the HIV response, the country managed to initiate 100 000 new persons on ART. “Despite the earlier COVID-19 related disruptions, which had threatened to reverse treatment outcomes, I am…

Inequalities Derail World Target To End AIDS By 2030

November 30, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has launched a powerful new report, “Dangerous Inequalities” which spotlight the need to end inequalities in terms of access to HIV and AIDS services. By Michael Gwarisa The report coincides with 2023 World AIDS Day commemorations which is an event and moment to honour over 40 million lives lost to AIDS, take stock of the AIDS response, and commit to ending AIDS. In her remarks following the launch of the report, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS said all was not gloom …

NAC unveils World Aids Day 2022 Theme, Song and Logo

November 30, 2022 Kuda Pembere

The National AIDS Council (NAC) on Wednesday unveiled the theme, logo and song ahead of this year’s World AIDS Day commemorations to be held on December 1, 2022. Addressing the press, NAC chief executive officer Dr Benard Madzima said this year’s commemorations will be held in Marondera. “Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the home of the national response to HIV and AIDS. “As you are aware the World AIDS Day commemoration is tomorrow at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera. “As part the…

Condoms “Too Small” For Some Zimbabwean Men says MP

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

MUFAKOSE Legislator, Honorable Susan Matsunga has asked government, the National AIDS Council (NAC) and all partners involved in the procurement and distribution of condoms to consider the size of sexual organs for some Zimbabwean men whenever they place orders from manufactures overseas. By Michael Gwarisa She made these remarks during a question and answer session at a High Level Advocacy Meeting to Discuss Bottlenecks Affecting the Condom Market in Zimbabwe that was held in Harare weeks ago. I am an MP in my constituency and I get feedback from the…

HIV self-testing proves popular …as tailor-made service improves access

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Healthtimes

I have listened to people who are hesitant to get an HIV test, the moment they reach the health facility, they back off, for fear of the unknown. They have consoled themselves that, “It is better not to know, what you don’t know does not kill you.” Catherine Murombedzi How wrong it is, in health issues, what you don’t know has the potential to kill you. With many HIV infected males reporting at health facilities late, what they don’t know can be fatal. Thanks to HIV self-testing kits. For those…

Parirenyatwa’s AHF Centre of Excellence surpasses viral load suppression target

November 24, 2022November 25, 2022 Kuda Pembere

The Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital Opportunistic Infections clinic which is also an AIDS Health Foundation Centre of Excellence as of June 2022 had 5 620 clients with the majority being females while the pediatric ward had about 400, inversely seeing males being many. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was revealed during a media tour of the facility on Thursday. Addressing the press, Dr Pascal Shambira who heads this centre of excellence said their cohort comprised of the first, second and third line regimens of ART. “So how many patients do we…

UNAIDS To Launch The “Dangerous Inequalities” World AIDS Day Report Next Week

November 24, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

UNAIDS World AIDS Day report 2022 will be launched on Tuesday, 29th November in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, during UNAIDS Executive Director’s visit to the country. The report is called ‘Dangerous Inequalities’ and reveals that inequalities are obstructing the end of AIDS. On current trends the world will not meet agreed global targets on AIDS. Millions of lives are at stake. The new UNAIDS report shows that only urgent action to tackle inequalities can get the world’s AIDS response on track. It shows how world leaders can tackle those inequalities…

US Government Injects US$54 Million Towards FACT’S DREAMS SMART Girls and Space for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Programs

November 10, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

The Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT-Zimbabwe) and its partners with funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched critical programs worth more than US$54 million to help fight HIV in Manicaland and Masvingo. By Michael Gwarisa The programs are Sustaining Prevention, Increasing Access to Care and Empowerment for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (SPACE for OVC) and the DREAMS- Support, Maintain, Advocate, reduce Risk and Transform (SMART) Girls. Representing the Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister, Mr Pastense Tarondwa, said…

5 000 Zimbabwean babies infected with HIV in 2021…As mothers shun PMTCT

November 2, 2022November 4, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Close to 5000 babies got infected with HIV in 2021 due the mothers’ reluctancy to get antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding. By Kudakwashe Pembere Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Deputy PMTCT and Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment Coordinator, Dr Precious Andifasi last Friday told journalists at a National Aids Council media training workshop in Chinhoyi that 4 750 babies got infected during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a program, we collect some data every year just to try and see where the new infections are coming from. So,…

HIV advocate Cathy Murombedzi upbeat about HIV cure

October 31, 2022November 1, 2022 Kuda Pembere

A bullish veteran journalist and Health Communicators Forum (HCF) vice chairperson Catherine Murombedzi is among the hopefuls who live to tell this tale. By Kudakwashe Pembere Seeing her feels like reliving the biblical times when Jews waited for the Messiah. Having kept her faith, Cathy is upbeat she will see the HIV cure in her lifetime. I am certain an HIV Cure is possible. There was no treatment at the onset of HIV in the early 1980s up to the 90s, but here we are today, there is anti-retroviral therapy,…