HIV/AIDS |

Zim Annual TB Incidence Falls By 8%

June 28, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

CASES of new Tuberculosis (TB) infections have declined by 8% at the back of improved access to TB screening treatment and care at community level. By Michael Gwarisa The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is defined as the number of new TB cases in one year per 100,000 population whereas prevalence of tuberculosis is defined as the number of TB cases in a population at a given point in time (sometimes referred to as “point prevalence”) per 100,000 population Speaking at the Mid Term Review of the Zimbabwe National TB program,…

Study for a child-friendly HIV treatment begins in Uganda

June 20, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE first patients have been enrolled in a potentially ground-breaking trial in Uganda for a capsule of granules containing four HIV drugs that can be easily administered to young children. Known as the ‘4-in-1,’ this sweet-tasting ‘fixed-dose combination’ could constitute a quantum leap in care for kids living with HIV, replacing a generation of sub-optimal HIV treatments that are difficult to give to children, or no longer recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The phase I/II study, called LOLIPOP, will provide clinical data on the 4-in-1 in infants and…

Scrap Cervical Cancer User Fees for Women Living with HIV- Gvt told

June 19, 2019June 19, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

CIVIL Society Organisations (CSOs), representing women living with HIV have called on government to scrap user fees for cervical cancer treatment since the disease is most prevalent in women living with HIV than other groups. By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru According to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer affects not less than 30 percent of women in the country. Cervical cancer is caused by the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). Speaking in a panel discussion during the just ended Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) workshop in Gweru…

Deaf Zim Trust In Comprehensive Youth SRHR Training

June 17, 2019June 17, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

DEAF Zimbabwe Trust (DZT) in conjunction with Mashambanzou Care Trust and Disability HIV and AIDS trust (DHAT), have embarked on a Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) training for youths living with disabilities. By Michael Gwarisa The program also targets non-disabled youths and aims among other things to equip young people with the necessary information regarding sexual reproductive health. Deaf Zimbabwe programs officer, Veronica Mwanza said the program commenced in 2017 and spilled over into 2018 and 2019 respectively. The first phase of the program was in 2017 to 2018…

Depression: Silent Killer for Young Girls & Women Living With HIV

June 17, 2019June 18, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

PUBERTY is one stage associated with anxiety, joy and stress for young girls transitioning from childhood to adulthood. The hormonal and reproductive changes which include the bulging bust, widening of hips, protruding hindquarters and menstrual flows all just come too fast within a short space of time. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Gweru However, for adolescents and young girls living with HIV, this phase could be traumatic and heart rending in the absence of proper counselling and psychosocial support. Phyliss Mavushe (24), a young person living with HIV and also…

Zim HIV Infections Drop 44 percent: UNAIDS

June 17, 2019 Healthtimes

HIV infections in Zimbabwe have gone down 44 percent as the country eyes a 75 percent reduction by 2020. This has been attributed to massive multisectoral responses against the epidemic. By Kudakwashe Pembere UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Dr Shannon Hader revealed this at the launch of the Zimbabwe Health Situation Room on Friday. “We have all committed worldwide to fast track targets that are going to help us end HIV as a public health threat by 2030. And you have heard about some of these targets. Reaching 90-90-90 for treatment,…

DTG Won’t Be Forced On Citizens- Ministry

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

PEOPLE Living With HIV (PLHIV) and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) still have the option to continue taking other ART options apart from Dolutogravir (DTG) based regimens since the process is not compulsory, a ministry of health and child care (MoHCC) official has said. By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru Zimbabwe commenced its transition process from Tenovir/Lamuvidene/Efavirens to Dolutegravir (DTG) in May 2019, and the transition procedure will be completed by February 2020. Briefing a women living with HIV, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) workshop organised by PAPWC/ZIM, ZWLHNF and UNAIDS,…

RBZ Ignores Looming ARV Crisis

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 Healthtimes

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s reluctance to release the much needed US$6 million by the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe (NAC) could plunge the nation into Antiretroviral shortage imminently. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was said by the CCM Coordinator Mr Oscar Mundida at a Civil Society Organisation workshop on Universal Health Coverage organized by UNAIDS and Zimbabwe Aids Network. Mr Mundida said NAC is yet to get their hands on the US$6 million to settle arrears they owe to ARV suppliers. The CCM Coordinator explained that Zimbabwe has nothing to…

People Living With HIV Worried Over Expired ARVs…MCAZ Calls For Calm

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) have expressed concerns over failure by government and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to consult with them following the expiration of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. By Michael Gwarisa The development follows revelations that health institutions continued dispensing ARVs even after they had passed their shelf life. This has not gone down well with PLHIV and on ART who believe the consultation process should have started with them since they are the ones directly affected by any changes in the drugs. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mrs…

19 Year Old HIV+ Zvimba Girl Finds New Path

April 15, 2019April 18, 2019 Healthtimes

AT the age of 17, while still doing her Form three studies at Mucheri Secondary School in Zvimba, the lure of money pushed Theresa Mlambo (Not real name) into an early marriage with her cattle minder lover, a move she regrets to date. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Zvimba Just like many girls in the area who have dropped out of school in pursuit of marriages with Amakorokoza (Artisanal miners), farm workers and cattle headers, Theresa’s marriage did not last as she would leave her man nine months later upon…