HIV/AIDS |

Decentralize Third line ART Drugs Collection During Lockddown -Rights group

May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Welfare (MOHCC) should consider decentralizing the third line regimen of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) to avoid increase on defaulter rate, an HIV/AIDS rights group said. HealthTimes Reporter Currenlty, the third line drug collection services are being offered at Parirenyatwa in Harare and United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH). Third line therapy, sometimes called salvage or rescue therapy, is a treatment regiments for people who have few or limited anti drug options. This includes people who have failed are least two previous anti HIV regiments or people with…

#BREAKING: US Gvt Approves US$230 Mln To Fight HIV In Zimbabwe

May 7, 2020 Healthtimes

THE United States has approved more than $230 million to support the fight against HIV in Zimbabwe and achieve epidemic control through a comprehensive package of prevention, treatment and support services. Ambassador Brian A. Nichols made the announcement on April 30 following the approval of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Country Operational Plan for 2020 (COP 2020). The $230,373,521 plan, which would begin on October 1, 2020 and run through September 30, 2021, is now awaiting approval by U.S. Congress. This commitment represents a significant increase…

#JUSTIN: Gvt Appoints New NAC Board

May 6, 2020May 6, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

MINISTER of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Obadiah Moyo has appointed an eight member board for the National Aids Council (NAC). By Michael Gwarisa The previous NAC board was terminated in March of 2019, barely a year after it was appointed owing to numerous irregularities and concerns by stakeholders on appointment of the board, which was deemed improper and not appointed according to procedure. The new board will be chaired by Mrs Margaret Mehlomakhulu and she will be deputised by Mr Phillip Francis Moses. Matthew Mare comes in ion…

Murombedzi Elected National Chairperson For Zim Women Living With HIV Forum

May 2, 2020May 2, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

AWARD winning health journalist and HIV activist, Catherine Murombedzi has been elected National Chairperson for the Zimbabwe Women Living with HIV National Forum (ZWLWHNF). By Michael Gwarisa Murombedzi is deputised by 25 year old Phyllis Mavushe, a former USAID and PEPFAR DREAMS ambassador from Gweru who was unaminously elected vice chairperson. I am humbled by the trust exhibited by women to have lead the Zimbabwe Women living with HIV national forum (ZWLWHNF). I salute you all. A dream actioned becomes a reality” said Murombedzi. The idea from a few women…

Young People Struggle To Access ARVs During Lockdown

April 14, 2020April 14, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

YOUNG People Living with HIV have raised alarm over their struggle to access life saving Antiretroviral drugs and other key sexual reproductive health (SRH) services from health institutions during the lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa A number of young people living with HIV told this publication that children and youths living with HIV risk defaulting on medication as they are struggling to access health institutions or get clearance past police checkpoints owing to the strict measures government adopted during the lockdown period. In most cases, police are not considering hospital…

ZAN Calls For Strong COVID-19 Response Coordination

April 10, 2020 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE AIDS Network says nothing is being said of people with pre-existing health conditions being described as most vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). By Kudakwashe Pembere The Country’s Treasury boss, the Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said they are looking at vulnerable populations to hunger, poverty, with Government committing a ZWL$200 million kitty for one million vulnerable persons which is yet to be disbursed. Despite this move coming with noble intentions, nothing was said of securing the lives of the high risk population of COVID-19, people with underlying illnesses…

Dr Benard Madzima Appointed NAC CEO

April 9, 2020 Healthtimes

Family health director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Bernard Madzima is now the new National Aids Council (NAC) chief executive officer. Source: The Herald Dr Madzima was appointed yesterday by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in consultation with President Mnangagwa. He replaces Dr Tapuwa Magure who left the organisation in 2018. Since then, NAC has been operating without a substantive chief executive. Government is yet to appoint a board of directors for NAC, which was dissolved early last year.

SafAids Partners Community Based Organisations To Find Test & Treat Children Living With HIV

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 Healthtimes

IN an effort to put children who are HIV positive on treatment a regional HIV information dissemination organisation, Safaids, has partnered with Community Based Organisations in three provinces in the country to track the children and put them on treatment. By HealthTimes Reporter The intervention programme which is called Find Test and Treat the Missing 4 000 is being implemented in Bulawayo, Midlands and Mashonaland East Provinces. “We are complementing government efforts in terms of fighting HIV so that we get to Zero new infections and have an AIDS free…

DEAF Zim Embarks On ART Defaulter Tracking Drive

March 19, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

DEAF Zimbabwe Trust (DZT) has kick-started a community Anteretroviral Treatment (ART) defaulter tracking campaign aimed at reducing default rates and increasing uptake of the live saving drugs amongst people living with HIV. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, Veronica Mwanza from Deaf Zimbabwe Trust said the project also has a a disability component where they folloup and offer support to people with various disabilities. We do what we call Defaulter tracking and psycho social support and adherence support to people living with HIV in selected areas that the project cover…

End Forced Sterilisation Of Women Living With HIV

March 10, 2020 Healthtimes

THE Global Network of People living HIV (GNP+), the International Community of Women living with HIV and the Global Network of Young People living with HIV (Y+), have called for an end to forced sterilisation of women living with HIV. In a statement, the three orgnisations described the act as a horrific violation of human rights and called for an end to all violations of women’s autonomy and bodily integrity. The forced and coerced sterilization of women living with HIV has been documented in over 31 countries around the world,…