Tag: BRTI

Zimbabwe’s Integrated Specimen Transportation Boosts Viral Load Coverage Across the Country

Michael Gwarisa

“We have managed to reach the 95% target because we are managing to collect the Viral Load samples and we are managing to get the results of the tests.” By Michael Gwarisa To fast-track progress towards ending AIDS by 2030, Zimbabwe has increased Viral Load (VL) testing coverage in almost all 63 districts, following the rollout of an Integrated Specimen Transportation (IST) system. The widespread rollout of the IST system commenced in 2021 and has since spread to all 2000 health facilities under the Ministry of Health and Child (MoHCC).…

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Fleming Fund In Major boost for Manicaland AMR Surveillance

Michael Gwarisa

THE Fleming Fund has extended support towards the refurbishment and upgrading of two laboratories in Manicaland Province, one at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital and another one at the Department of Veterinary Services, with the aim of addressing gaps in the surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). By Michael Gwarisa Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. According to statistics, more than 1.2 million…

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UNAIDS Founding Father Urges Zim To Prioritise Research To End AIDS

Healthtimes

UNAIDS founding executive director, Baron Professor Peter Piot who is in the country to discuss various partnership opportunities with the purpose of strengthening research capacity in areas of health and science, has implored Zimbabwe to prioritise research if it is to  defeat the AIDS pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa The call comes at the back of an impending adolescent epidemic which has shifted its focus from the adult populace to the adolescents and young people groups, posing a threat to the 2030 targets of eradicating AIDS. Speaking at a reception ceremony…

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