Category: HIV/AIDS

Celebrating Tendayi Westerhof @54, A Beacon Of HIV Activism In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

TODAY, June 22,  2020 marks exactly 54 years since Tendayi Westerhof, a woman who has grown to be a force to reckon in the fight for  the rights of persons living with HIV in Zimbabwe was born in the rural villages of the midlands province. Despite having ascended to fame as a model back in the 90s, Tendayi’s humble rural background has made her tough and unwavering in the things she holds dearly at heart. At one point in 1979 towards the end of the liberation struggle, Tendayi together with…

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Walter Chikanya Elected Civil Society Rep On The CCM

Michael Gwarisa

ZICHIRE Director Mr Walter Chikanya has been elected the the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representative for on the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) to end HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria. In a congratulatory messgae, the Zimbabwe AIDS Network (ZAN) and friends of ZAN said Mr Chikanya was deserving of the  at hand and wished well. “We would like to congratulate Mr Walter Chikanya (ZiCHIRE) for being elected as the CSOs Rep on the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) to end HIV, TB and Malaria. “Walter has championed advocacy initiatives directed at both…

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FDA Approves Dolutegravir Tablets for Oral Suspension for Children With HIV

Healthtimes

OFFICIALS with the FDA have approved dolutegravir (Tivicay PD, ViiV Healthcare) dispersible tablets for oral suspension for children who are at least 4 weeks of age and weigh at least 3 kg, according to a press release. SOURCE: DRUG TOPICS This approval marks the first ever dispersible tablet formulation of dolutegravir, which are used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in pediatric patients. Additionally, the approval also expands dolutegravir’s indication for the existing 50-mg film-coated tablets (Tivicay) for use in children weighing 20 kg…

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Comprehensive Sexuality Education Is Not Sex Education Says Experts

Michael Gwarisa

SEXUAL and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) experts have reiterated that Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)  was key to empowering young people in and out of out school to make informed decisions about their life choices.   By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual discussion that was organised by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Right Here Right Now (RHRN), Mr Sendisa Ndlovu, the Programs Officer for SAYWHAT said CSE was not about sex education but embraces the aspects of children’s rights and empowerment which in turn prevent them…

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#COVID-19: NAC Adjusts HIV Services According To COVID-19 Framework

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Aids Council (NAC) says it has modified its operations in accordance with the new COVID-19 environment in a bid to avoid disruption of critical services under the prevailing pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa In an Interview with HealthTimes, NAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Benard Madzima said services were largely affected at the initial stages of the lockdown owing to strict restrictions which characterized the environment then but they have since found innovative ways of availing critical services to communities across the country. Since the start of the national…

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New HIV infections differ by sex and by region

Healthtimes

IN sub-Saharan Africa, where 61% of all new HIV infections occur, women are disproportionally affected by HIV, accounting for 54% of all new HIV infections in 2018. Young women aged 15–24 years were the hardest hit, accounting for 25% of new HIV infections in the region but representing only 10% of the total population. Outside of sub-Saharan Africa, however, the situation is different, with men aged 25–49 years accounting for almost half of all new HIV infections, although they represent only 18% of the total population.

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COVID-19 Affects Condom Distribution…Sex Workers Fear For Lives

Michael Gwarisa

THE Women Against All Forms Of Discrimination (WAAD), an organisation representing rights of sex workers and women has warned of a possible spike in new HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections during the lockdown period due shortages of condoms and other critical sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, WAAD Coordinator, Ms Hazel Zemura said the COVID-19 induced lockdown had affected distribution of essential SRH services especially amongst sex workers who have since moved their trade from clubs and bars to the streets and highways where truck…

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ART Adherence Critical Even During Lockdown- SAfAIDS

Michael Gwarisa

SOUTHERN Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) Sub Regional Head and Country Representative in South Africa,  Mr Ngoni Chibukire says adherence to lifesaving Antiretroviral drugs should be observed religiously despite the ongoing lockdowns. By Michael Gwarisa His calls come at the back of increased reports of cases whereby people living with HIV in most parts of the SADC region have been failing to access their ARVs during the lockdown period. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chibukire said the health needs of PLHIV have not changed because there…

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I Am Ready For The Task Says New NAC Chief Executive Officer

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT recently appointed Dr Bernard Madzima as the National Aids Council’s (NAC) new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after the organisation had gone for a year and three months  without anyone at its helm. Before his appointment, Dr Madzima served as Director in the Family Health department under the ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) for eight years, where he coordinated the country’s sexual and reproductive health, the family planning, as well as the cervical cancer programs. To ensure the organisation moves forward, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah…

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