By HealthTimes Reporter
The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) feels there should be more indigenous solutions to grow the AIDS Levy in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s mobile network operators contribute 5% levy on all airtime purchases for mobile telecoms to the AIDS Levy.
Joining the rest of the world in commemorating World AIDS Day, CWGH said despite the country making strides in reducing the prevalence rate, new infections continue to occur.
“However, it is important to note that new infections have not yet stopped, nor have AIDS deaths. ART coverage is high, but not universal and TB prevalence mirrors that of HIV; meanwhile the supply of basic drugs remains erratic such that some patients still complicate and/or die from preventable diseases,” said the organisation.
CWGH added that the National Aids Council needs full capacitation.
“More still needs to be done to further reduce HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country. We must explore more home grown solutions as a country to further grow the AIDS Levy, to fully capacitate NAC to enable it to carry its mandate effectively and efficiently.
This could be done through tapping into the informal sector.
“Meanwhile, we should find ways of taking everyone on board including those in the informal sector that are not currently contributing to the AIDS Levy, while ensuring community accountability mechanisms through the strengthening of the NAC governance structures at all levels. These should be supported by community involvement mechanisms at all levels of NAC, capacitating and monitoring them to perform,” said CWGH.
This year’s theme “Closing the Tap of new HIV Infections”, is a continuation of the 2016 theme, is an indication of the importance Zimbabwe places on efforts to completely stop new infections to avoid future human suffering and deaths.
The organisation also lauded Government’s efforts in improving healthcare services in Zimbabwe.
“The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) applauds Zimbabwe for making provisions for improved health and quality of life in the new constitution by acknowledging that health is a fundamental human right, and that access to quality health care should be universal to all citizens.
