Tag: HIV

Murombedzi Elected National Chairperson For Zim Women Living With HIV Forum

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…

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OPHID Intensifies Fight Against Double Burden of HIV & COVID-19 In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE Organisation for Public Health Inventions and Development (OPHID) has ramped up efforts to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Zimbabwe through provision of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) as well as Antiretroviral Treatment drugs reshipments  for those living with HIV inside COVID-19 isolation centres. By Michael Gwarisa OPHID is one of the three clinical partners that have been selected by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to implement CIVID-19 related interventions from the recent US$150 000 PEPFAR grant. OPHID has also set up satellite…

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Zim Experts Warn Of Rise In Unintended Pregnancies After Lockdown…Should Young People Adopt Long-term Contraceptives?

Michael Gwarisa

FAILURE by young women and girls to access modern contraceptives and reproductive health services during the lockdown could spell doom and possibly reverse the gains that have been attained in terms of reducing Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs). By Michael Gwarisa According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) 2015, sexually active unmarried women are more likely to have the highest risk of unintended pregnancy. This is because more than 70% of them are on short-acting contraceptives, condoms, and orals. Under a lockdown scenario as ours, supply can easily be disrupted…

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Young People Struggle To Access ARVs During Lockdown

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…

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

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…

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In-country Global Fund Boss Impressed By Zim’s Fight Against HIV, TB and Malaria

Healthtimes

THE Global Fund Executive Director is in Zimbabwe assessing the country’s programming and challenges faced in the implementation of HIV, TB and Malaria programmes. By Kudakwashe Pembere Mr Peter Sands becomes the first executive director for the organisation which gave Zimbabwe USD500 million for the period of 2021 to 2023 to visit the country. I’m also conscious Zimbabwe is part of the top 10 in which the global fund invests in the world, and I think I’m the first executive director of the global fund to actually visit Zimbabwe and…

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End Forced Sterilisation Of Women Living With HIV

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,…

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Curtain Comes Down On ZIMPHIA 2020 HIV Survey

Michael Gwarisa
ngwarai sithole

THE second Zimbabwe Population based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) 2020 survey has ended on a high note amidst indications that the survey managed to reach cover more than 19 000 households countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa The first phase of the survey which kicked off in November, 2019  is a population household survey led by the Health and Child Care Ministry working in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), National Aids Council (Nac) and ICAP at the Columbia University. Giving the keynote address on behalf of Health and Child…

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ZIMPHIA 2020 Could Leapfrog Zim Towards Ending AIDS By 2030

Michael Gwarisa

FOR the first time, Gogo Mhlanga (75) of Filabusi in Matebeleland South is seeing the Zimbabwe Population Based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA 2020) survey banner. She wonders what it is all about and why it has been erected close to her homestead. By Michael Gwarisa A few minutes later, the ZIMPHIA 2020 Southern Region Survey Coordinator, Mrs Kudzanayi Moyo walks to her and explains what the message on the banner is saying and why the ZIMPHIA team is in the area. Her face lights up with joy and expresses gratitude…

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Five Die In Byo, As Prophets Order Them To Stop Taking ARVs

Michael Gwarisa

AT least five people died in Bulawayo in the period leading to the 2019 festive season following indications that they had discontinued taking Antiretroviral medications at their prophets’ orders, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Bulawayo The revelation came into the open when members of various HIV and AIDS support revealed that they stumbled upon stashes of Antiretroviral treatment drugs in the deceased’s’ rooms while some had publicly confessed that they had been ordered to stop taking their medications by their pastors and prophets. National Aids Council Bulawayo…

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