Category: HIV/AIDS

Zimbabwe’s INTEGRATE Program Marks Milestone: Over 150,000 Circumcisions Achieved in HIV Prevention Push

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Over 150,000 men and boys have undergone circumcision under the INTEGRATE-Catalyzing Integrated Sustainable Subnational HIV Biomedical Prevention Program, an initiative aimed at enhancing decentralized biomedical HIV prevention services in Zimbabwe. The program, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with technical support from Population Services International (PSI) and Population Solutions for Health (PSH), was catalyzed by funding from the Gates Foundation. Launched in November 2020, the INTEGRATE project was designed to run for four years and is set to conclude by the end of…

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MSF Secures CAB LA Doses For Zimbabwe and Three Other African Countries

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has secured a limited supply of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), a groundbreaking HIV prevention medication, following months of negotiations with Viiv, its sole manufacturer. The initial rollout is set to begin later this year in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Eswatini. To prepare for this rollout, MSF conducted a four-day training workshop for clinicians, nurses, and future implementers. The training aimed to build capacity among healthcare workers to effectively administer CAB-LA and integrate it into HIV prevention efforts. Dr. Gerald Hangaika, from MSF’s Mbare…

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Rising STI Cases Threaten to Reverse HIV Gains in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The surge in new Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is a clear indication that Zimbabweans may be engaging in unprotected sex, a trend that could reverse the HIV gains recorded so far, top health officials have warned. Between January and June 2024, Zimbabwe recorded the highest number of new STI cases, with some infections showing resistance to available antibiotics. This was confirmed by Mr. Sinokuthemba Xaba, the National Condom and Male Circumcision Coordinator in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), during a media training session for…

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Zimbabwe’s Zvandiri HIV Care Model Helps Bend HIV Trajectory in Africa’s Children

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Zvandiri model, a peer-led program focused on children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV aged 0-24, was launched in Zimbabwe 2o years ago mainly as a vehicle to increase and improve access to treatment and care for children and young persons living with HIV. The model Zvandiri is implemented by young people aged 18 to 24  known as Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS). They are trained and mentored to support their peers throughout the HIV care continuum through support groups, home visits, phone call reminders,…

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Regional Progress Review Meeting for Scaled Up Peer-Led HIV Service Delivery Model Kicks Off In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Thirteen African countries are in Zimbabwe for a three-day consultation meeting to deliberate on the progress and gaps in the scaled-up Zvandiri peer provider model toward ending AIDS in children and adolescents. Zvandiri is implementing the Zvandiri model in Zimbabwe in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC). The program is a comprehensive, peer-led program focused on children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV aged 0-24. The peers, known as community adolescent treatment supporters (CATS), are people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 18–24…

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3-Month Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention Demonstrates Superior Drug Release Compared to 1-Month Ring

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter Lima, Peru – The Population Council, an international nonprofit research organization, announced today at HIVR4P 2024, the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference, the results of a phase I open-label randomized crossover relative bioavailability trial (IPM 054). The trial found that a 3-month dapivirine vaginal ring delivers the active antiretroviral drug, dapivirine, at higher levels than the 1-month dapivirine vaginal ring. The trial, conducted among   124 women in South Africa, suggests that the longer-acting ring will be as effective as the 1-month ring, offering a more cost…

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Zim among top priority lenacapavir recipients as Gilead licenses Hetero

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With Zimbabwe being among the 18 top-priority recipients of lenacapavir an HIV preventive drug pending local medicines regulatory approvals, Gilead Sciences, the principal maker has granted a non-exclusive license to leading India headquartered pharmaceutical manufacturer Hetero Group of Companies to manufacture and supply the drug. Gilead’s decision comes following much advocacy by AVAC to give non-exclusive licenses for the manufacturing of lenapavir. The partnership will broaden access to this novel HIV treatment usable in combination with other antiretrovirals while supporting efforts to prevent HIV through pre-exposure prophylaxis…

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Interventions contribute to HIV reduction in Mash Central

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere in Mvurwi Several interventions have been credited to the reduction of HIV prevalence in Mashonaland Central with the province now ranking the fifth highest in the country. Despite Mazowe topping the list in the past two years, due to some targeted interventions, it has now been overtaken by Bindura where the Provincial Hospital is located. Speaking with journalists during a NAC organized media tour for Mash Central, the province’s Provincial Manager Mr Edgar Muzulu said they have over 111 000 persons living with HIV in the province.…

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HIV Positive Zimbabwean Mothers Celebrate Life Of Healthy Choices and Healthy Children

Healthtimes

By Takunda Mandura Having been diagnosed with HIV during her first pregnancy 15 years ago, Moud Chinembiri, now a mother of two children, has defied the odds and looked the beast in the eye. Now her child whom she had when she had a positive HIV diagnosis is attending high school and is HIV-negative, a living testimony of the intervention measures against HIV.   Her daughter has been her treatment buddy. “My daughter has become sort of my alarm to remind me of my medication schedule. I can say she…

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Zimbabwe Needs To Revive Abstinence Message In HIV Programming

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa While Zimbabwe has made significant strides in addressing the HIV burden, there is a need for renewed messaging regarding HIV prevention to sustain the gains realised, health experts have said. Zimbabwe is among the few African countries that have attained the UNIADS 95-9-95 targets in adults. Over the past four years, there has been a decline in HIV prevalence from approximately 12% in 2020 to 11.58% in 2023. However, emerging new challenges such as depressed domestic and international funding for HIV prevention programs such as condoms, poor…

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