Tag: Dr Benard Madzima

NAC Hands Over Blood and Renal Units to Parirenyatwa Hospital

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The National AIDS Council (NAC) has officially handed over two critical health projects, a Family Blood Bank and a Renal Diagnostic Unit, to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in a move set to boost the quality of healthcare services in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, NAC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernard Madzima said the new facilities represent NAC’s commitment to strengthening the country’s health system beyond the HIV and AIDS response. We are gathered here to…

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National AIDS Council Holds 2023 AGM, Sets Sights on 2030 HIV Targets

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The National AIDS Council (NAC) on Thursday held its long-awaited Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2023, following a year-long hiatus after the dissolution of the previous board. The AGM, which had been delayed throughout 2024, marked a significant turning point in NAC’s operations as the newly appointed board seeks to restore momentum in the country’s HIV response and scale up efforts toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Now that the board is in place, NAC is not only catching up on pending statutory…

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Zimbabwe’s NAC Boosts Lifesaving Kidney Care for People Living with HIV

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  In a landmark move, the National AIDS Council (NAC) has stepped in to support Zimbabwe’s growing renal care burden, particularly for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), by funding essential dialysis services at Parirenyatwa Hospital. The intervention comes amid growing concern about the hidden epidemic of kidney failure among people on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). While ART has significantly extended lives, long-term use is now linked with a sharp rise in chronic kidney disease. At the heart of the initiative is the recognition that PLHIV, often overlooked in…

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ICASA To Proceed As Planned…Cholera Outbreak Under Control

Michael Gwarisa

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) says they have identified most cases and initiated patients on Cholera treatment and care, allaying any fears of a full-blown cholera outbreak of the proportions of 2008/09. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has been recording sporadic and isolated cases of Cholera mostly in rural communities and some peri-urban centres over the past few months, raising fears in some circles that the outbreak could derail hosting of the international Conference on AIDS and SITs in Africa (ICASA), slated for December 4 to 9 2023.…

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Zimbabwe To Use Dual Prevention Pill That Protects Against HIV Infection and Unintended Pregnancy

Michael Gwarisa

In a bid to widen HIV prevention and contraceptive options for women and girls, Zimbabwe could be adopting a revolutionary Dual Prevention Pill (DPP), in the not so distant future. By Michael Gwarisa The Dual Prevention Pill adds to the list of other Biomedical HIV prevention tools Zimbabwe has adopted over the past few years which include  the Dapivirine Vaginal ring that was adopted in 2021 and the Long-Acting Injectable PrEP that was approved for use in 2022. However, roll-out of these products is yet to commence in Zimbabwe. Speaking…

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Rising HIV treatment failure in Zimbabwe: A stitch in time could save nine

Healthtimes

“Veld fires start from glowing ash: The numbers dismissed today as small,  can offset the gains made in the national HIV response in the near future.” By Catherine Murombedzi (Internews Health Journalism Network, Mercury Phoenix Trust HIV/AIDS 2023 Fellowship) ZIMBABWE should set aside domestic financial resources to deal with the rising number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) resistant to the treatment of first resort, commonly known as the first line treatment. Donors do not fund second and third line treatment drugs, making this a key health priority for the…

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Zimbabwe ICASA Preparations Reach Crescendo

Kuda Pembere

With about nine months to go to this year’s edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), the event’s director Dr Luc Bodea says he is impressed by the progress Zimbabwe has made already with regards to  preparations. By Kuda Pembere Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the on-going International Steering Committee meeting, ICASA director Luc Armand Bodea said the country is progressing well on course with its preparations. We can tell you that at this stage we are at 50 to 55 percent ready…

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NAC in major cancer fundraising boost

Michael Gwarisa

The National AIDS Council has intensified the drive to fight cervical cancer as part of its broader effort to contain new HIV infections and end AIDS by 2030. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes on the sidelines of the this year’s eventful Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union Stroke Play Golf Tournament, NAC Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima said the target was to raise plus or minus US$100,000 from the fundraising event. NAC Pro-am golf tournament kicked off on Tuesday and the professional tournament also kicked off on…

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NAC unveils World Aids Day 2022 Theme, Song and Logo

Kuda Pembere

The National AIDS Council (NAC) on Wednesday unveiled the theme, logo and song ahead of this year’s World AIDS Day commemorations to be held on December 1, 2022. Addressing the press, NAC chief executive officer Dr Benard Madzima said this year’s commemorations will be held in Marondera. “Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the home of the national response to HIV and AIDS. “As you are aware the World AIDS Day commemoration is tomorrow at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera. “As part the…

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Condoms “Too Small” For Some Zimbabwean Men says MP

Michael Gwarisa

MUFAKOSE Legislator, Honorable Susan Matsunga has asked government, the National AIDS Council (NAC) and all partners involved in the procurement and distribution of condoms to consider the size of sexual organs for some Zimbabwean men whenever they place orders from manufactures overseas. By Michael Gwarisa She made these remarks during a question and answer session at a High Level Advocacy Meeting to Discuss Bottlenecks Affecting the Condom Market in Zimbabwe that was held in Harare weeks ago. I am an MP in my constituency and I get feedback from the…

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