Category: HIV/AIDS

Finally, the girls can DREAM!

Michael Gwarisa

Tafadzwa Mabaya (16) is a data entry clerk at the Zimbabwe Health Interventions (ZHI) offices in Bulawayo. However, her story was not always this rosy. Back in 2016, Tafadzwa got married to a man from the apostolic sect. The marriage did not last as the man abusive and harbored polygamous intentions. By Michael Gwarisa She returned to stay with her mother in Marange where she was working. That is when she saw girls under the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS Free Mentored (DREAMS) program seated under a tree at a nearby…

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ZHI Launches Multimillion worth Programs to Advance HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Health Interventions (ZHI), through support from the USAID, PEPFAR and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), has launched two programs, the DREAMS-RISE and ACCE initiatives in bid to reduce new HIV infections as well as economic induced vulnerabilities in Adolescents Girls and Young Women (AGYW). By Michael Gwarisa The acronym ACCE stands for, Accelerated and Comprehensive HIV Care for Epidemic Control in Zimbabwe (ACCE) while DREAMS-RISE stands for Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS Free Mentored and Safe – Re-Ignite, Innovate, Sustain and Empower (DREAMS-RISE). The two programs…

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Scrap Import Duty and VAT on Condoms…Partners Plead With Gvt, As Zimbabwe Records 15 Million Condom deficit

Michael Gwarisa

RELIANCE on donor funding for the National Condom program, coupled with a restrictive tax regime has resulted in Zimbabwe failing to meet its condom obligation of 173 million condoms per year, a development that could reverse progress made so far in the HIV response, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s national condom program comprise of public sector condoms, private sector condoms and Social Marketing condoms. However, increased donor fatigue has seen major donors such as the USAID and PEPFAR cutting their funding towards the procurement of public sector and…

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SADC Youth Helpline 393 Launched In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

IN a bid to bridge existing HIV information gaps and access to care for adolescents and young people, Youth Advocates Zimbabwe (YAZ), working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the National AIDS Council (NAC) have launched the SADC Youth Helpline to facilitate dialogue and openness between healthcare service providers and young people. By Michael Gwarisa The 393 Youth Helpline national contact center will be piloted in three districts in the SADC region namely, Francistown in Botswana, Zomba in Malawi and Zvishavane in Zimbabwe. The project also…

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Increase in people who inject drugs threatens Zim’s HIV Gains…UNAIDS calls for effective harm reduction programs

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT was warned that the obtaining spike in illicit drug and substance abuse incidences could trigger a new wave of new HIV infections as drug users were devising new risky means of administering drugs such as injecting drugs which at times involves the sharing of unsterilized needles and sharp objects. By Michael Gwarisa While Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards ending the AIDS epidemic, new data indicates that there has been a surge in new HIV infections especially amongst young girls and women while quite a sizable number could be…

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Zim’s Adolescents and Young People Attend In-Country Hub For The 2022 AIDS Conference 

Michael Gwarisa

YOUNG people from various communities In Zimbabwe converged for the AIDS2022 In Country Virtual Hub amidst growing calls for government to increase domestic funding towards HIV and AIDS programing. By Michael Gwarisa The five day in-country AIDS2022 In Country Virtual Hub was hosted by Zvandiri in Harare at Bronte Hotel following the denying of visas for most young people mainly from African countries to attend the in-person AIDS2022 Conference in Montreal Canada. Other African countries that held in country hubs include Eswatini, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola and Malawi. In Zimbabwe, The…

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Achieving an AIDS-free future: African leaders are championing sexuality education at the International AIDS Conference

Michael Gwarisa

MONTREAL, Canada, 1 August 2022 — At the 24 th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022) held inMontreal, UNESCO and Frontline AIDS hosted a session where African leaders championed sexualityeducation and challenged misinformation to work toward an AIDS-free generation. Young advocates,representatives from African governments and CSOs made the case on why Comprehensive SexualityEducation should remain a priority for HIV prevention efforts and health and wellbeing for young peoplein Sub-Saharan Africa. “Every week, 4900 girls and women aged 15-24 in Sub-Saharan Africa acquire HIV. Each one of theseinfections could be prevented if…

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Zimbabwe Submits Bid To Host ICASA In 2023

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE together with other five African countries have submitted bids to host the International Conference on AIDS and STIs In Africa (ICASA) in 2023. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s intention to host the 2023 ICASA was announced during a Press Conference that was held on Friday by ICASA at the ongoing 24th International AIDS Conference in Montreal Canada. The Zimbabwean delegation was also present during the press conference and was headed by the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr John Mangwiro. Speaking during the Press Conference, Dr John…

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Botswana reaches 95-95-95 HIV target

Healthtimes

Botswana becomes the second nation in the world, after Eswatini, to reach a landmark UN goal towards eradicating AIDS, researchers said Wednesday, in what health experts hailed as “stellar results”. By Staff Reporter The country according to a study published ahead of the 24th International AIDS Conference has met the so-called “95-95-95” target on HIV diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression several years early. About one in five people in Botswana live with the virus — one of the highest rates in the world — according to the UN AIDS agency…

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Millions of lives at risk as progress against AIDS falters

Michael Gwarisa

MONTREAL/GENEVA- New data from UNAIDS on the global HIV response reveals that during the last two years of COVID-19 and other global crises, progress against the HIV pandemic has faltered, resources have shrunk, and millions of lives are at risk as a result. The new report, In Danger, is being launched ahead of the International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada. Globally the number of new infections dropped only 3.6% between 2020 and 2021, the smallest annual decline in new HIV infections since 2016. Eastern Europe and central Asia, Middle East…

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