Category: HIV/AIDS

Zim To Introduce HIV Prevention Drug Thats Taken Once Every Month

Healthtimes
Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi MBChB, MMed, Investigator of Record, HPTN-084 Zimbabwe – University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research Centre, and HPTN Executive Committee Member

ZIMBABWE is among the first countries set to introduce a new HIV preventative drug that will be taken once a month in a move that is likely to expand HIV prevention options for citizens. By Patricia Mashiri The new drug, Islatravir (MK-8591) belongs to a class of drugs called First-in-Class Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Translocation Inhibitor (NRTTI) With Multiple Mechanisms of Action. These multiple mechanisms of action contribute to its high potency against HIV-1 and drug-resistant variants, and its high barrier to resistance. Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi, Principal Investigator, University of Zimbabwe’s…

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Persons With HIV Experiencing 2nd Line Treatment Failure Invited For Assessment

Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Permanent Secretary, Dr Jasper Chimedza has announced that all people living with HIV and experiencing treatment failure with second line Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) should visit health institutions and receive specialist assessment. HealthTimes Reporter In a statment,Dr Chimedza said, “In line with the 2016 National Guidelines for use of ART for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV in Zimbabwe, all people living with HIV on ART failing 2nd line therapy must be referred for specialist assessment including genotypic testing at selected institutions namely Parirenyatwa…

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Advocacy Core Team Applauds Parliament For Bold Stance On Adolescents Access To Health Services

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THE recent move by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and the Thematic Committee on HIV and AIDS to request the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to amend section 35 of the Public Health Act of 2018  has set the tone for more engagement and advocacy with other key stakeholders, the Advocacy Core Team (ACT) has said. By Patricia Mashiri Section 35 of the Public Health Act of 2018, limits young people below the age of 16 from accessing health services including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services…

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UN HIV Declaration Must Throw A Lifeline To People With Advanced HIV Disease

Michael Gwarisa

CAN we do what needs to be done to stop people dying from HIV/AIDS? Maybe – but only if we pay more attention to the people who are most at risk of dying. World leaders will discuss the next steps in the fight against the disease at the UN High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS on the 8-10th of June 2021. By Dr Gilles Van Cutsem and Amanda Banda The political declaration they’re expected to adopt, must contain clear and tangible commitments to tackle HIV related mortality and a specific focus…

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NAC Partners Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union

Healthtimes

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) has for the third time partnered the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) in an effort to sensitize women about the need to seek and utilize services for HIV testing, cervical and other cancers screening as well as COVID-19 screening. By Patricia Mashiri In partnership, NAC has sponsored an amount to the tune of USD15,000.00 to the Ladies Golf Tournament which will take place from 27 to 29 August 2021. The tournament will have international teams from South Africa, Botswana,Nambia and Zambia. Speaking during a press…

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40 Years Into The AIDS Epidemic, Africa Must Embody The spirit Of Ubuntu If We Are To End AIDS

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FORTY years ago, on 5 June 1981, the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report described five cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia in gay men. The report foreshadowed the global AIDS epidemic, which has since resulted in over 75 million HIV infections and 32 million deaths worldwide. By Dr Aeneas Chuma Since the 1980s, we have witnessed remarkable moments in science and activism, and, in the last year of AIDS’ 40th decade, a global pandemic so unexpected and fierce, it has made us rethink our preparedness for health emergencies…

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The U.S. and ZNNP+ Announce PEPFAR Heroes Award

Michael Gwarisa

ON its 18th anniversary in Zimbabwe, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has announced the 2021 PEPFAR Heroes Award for outstanding individuals who have made a meaningful contribution towards Zimbabwe’s response to HIV and AIDS over the past 18 years. HealthTimes Reporter PEPFAR has partnered with the Zimbabwe Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) in a nationwide call for nominations of PEPFAR Heroes from around the country with a deadline of June 30. 12 Heroes will receive awards as part of the World AIDS Day commemorations…

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COVID-19 and coronavirus in people living with HIV

Healthtimes

Key points People with HIV appear to have a slightly increased risk of dying from COVID-19. People with HIV who have underlying health conditions such as obesity, poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure appear to be at higher risk. In general, the most important risk factors for death from COVID-19 are old age, an organ transplant and a recent diagnosis of a cancer of the blood. Vaccines against COVID-19 are highly effective in preventing serious illness. They are not thought to be less effective in people with HIV, but…

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Ensuring a better future for future generations: A journey towards curbing the HIV epidemic

Healthtimes

IT is past midday and Portia* (22) arrives at a local Clinic in Filabusi, Matabeleland South, after a seven-kilometre walk from her homestead. Winter is fast approaching, and it is windy, she bends down to wipe the dust off her feet using a cloth and fixes her mask as she walks briskly towards the gate. From a distance, she sees the clinic is not as busy as she had anticipated. By Tariro Mhute and Osiah Chinemo She quickly washes her hands with the soapy water at the entrance and cheerfully…

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ZNNP+ Holds Candlelight Ceremony To Honor Departed HIV/AIDS Heroes

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) in partnership with The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) hosted a Candlelight ceremony in remembrance and in honour of those who passed away due to also to keep hopes alive for those who continue with the fight to end HIV, through education, advocacy and partnership. By Patricia Mashiri Similar ceremonies have been held since 1983. This year’s ceremony was held on 16 May virtually in accordance with World Health Organization COVID-19 regulations under the theme “Honouring those…

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