Category: HIV/AIDS

East and Southern Africa Region records rise in new HIV infections among older women

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa While progress has been made regarding improving HIV health outcomes for Adolescent Young Women and Girls (AGYW) in the East, Southern African (ESA) region, a worrying trend shows that more new cases are now being recorded among older women aged between 25 to 34 years. HIV data shows that women are the face of HIV on the African continent, with 63 percent of all new infections in the continent being recorded in women and is even more pronounced among adolescent girls and young women. HIV infection rates…

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University of Zimbabwe secures US$45 Million USAID grant to Develop and Test New HIV Vaccines

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi MBChB, MMed, Investigator of Record, HPTN-084 Zimbabwe – University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research Centre, and HPTN Executive Committee Member

By Staff Reporter The University of Zimbabwe and regional partners have been issued a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) award of over US $45 million to implement the HIV Vaccine Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in Africa (HIV-VISTA) program. This groundbreaking initiative aims to develop and test novel HIV vaccines in an 8-country African consortium, led by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) CEO and President, Prof Glenda Gray. The BRILLIANT (BRinging Innovation to cLinical and Laboratory research to end HIV In Africa through New vaccine Technology) consortium,…

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Governments should take ownership of VMMC programs says AVAC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa To ensure the sustainability of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programs in the face of dwindling donor support and donor fatigue, African governments have been urged to fund and promote VMMC programs. Since VMMC was recommended by WHO and the UNAIDS in 2007 as key to HIV prevention in high prevalence settings, about 35 million men have accessed services across 15 VMMC priority countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. However, since inception, VMMC programs have been largely financed by donors and Multilateral funding agencies amidst indications that…

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Condoms Galore At CONDOMIZE Stand

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to promote safe sex, reduce HIV incidence and break the stigma around condoms, SAYWHAT’s CONDOMIZE campaign is riding on the ongoing ICASA conference to distribute free condoms and raise awareness of the benefits of safe sex. Located in the community hall at the ICASA, the CONDOMIZE stand has become a hive of activity as young people from across genders, disabilities, and backgrounds are getting free condoms as well as demonstrations on the correct and consistent use of condoms. The campaign kicked off in Epworth…

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ICASA Honours Dr Matsidiso Moeti

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) secretariat has awarded the World Health Organisation African Region (WHO-Afro) Director, Dr Matsidio Moeti the prestigious SAA Excellency award. The prize was handed to her during a plenary session at the ongoing International Conference for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted (STIs) in Africa (ICASA) conference running from December 4 to December 9 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). Presenting the award, SAA president, Dr David Parirenyatwa said it was in appreciation for her dedicated years of leadership and a symbol…

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Urban residents at high risk of contracting HIV: UN

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere URBAN folk are more susceptible to new HIV infections compared to those in the rural areas due to their high disposable income and greater mobility, a top United Nations Zimbabwe official said. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator His Excellency Edward Kallon said this during the World AIDS Day commemorations in Victoria Falls on Friday. “Contrary to common belief, the greatest risk (of new HIV infection) lies with urban, educated adults in their productive and reproductive years who typically have greater mobility and disposable income. “Reducing risky behavior…

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To end the AIDS pandemic, let communities lead

Healthtimes

By Jane Kalweo – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has a fantastic opportunity. It can end the AIDS pandemic by 2030, by letting communities lead. Communities of people living with HIV or at risk of HIV are the drivers of progress in the AIDS response. They connect people to public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor the implementation of policies and services, and hold service providers accountable. For example, in Zimbabwe Community led organisations deliver services to their peers and employ peer led approaches to provide services to the most…

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Population Solutions for Health launches PREVENT program

Ntokozo Gudu

Population Solutions for Health (PSH), and Populations Service International (PSI) on Monday hosted the Going the Last Mile for HIV Control closeout while launching the PREVENT program meant to protect the gains Zimbabwe has made in the fight against HIV pandemic. By Nthokozo Gudu PSH Executive Director and Managing Trustee, Dr Noah Taruberekera gave remarks and celebrated the successes of the Last mile program. This event is about looking back and celebrating the successes of the US$101 million dollars Last Mile program funded by PEPFAR through USAID. This program was…

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CATALYST Study To Inform National Scale-Up Of PrEP Products in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following the approval for the use of three Pre-Exposure Prophylaxes (PrEP) products for HIV prevention by the Zimbabwean government,  the country is conducting a three-year study to evaluate and inform the national HIV response’s rollout of PrEP products. The study named CATALYST, which stands for Catalyzing Access to New Prevention Product to Stop HIV is a multi-country study that will characterise and assess the implementation of an enhanced service delivery package providing informed choice of PrEP products among women at the sites where the study is being…

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Offering PrEP to all pregnant women just as effective as focusing on those at higher risk of HIV

Healthtimes

Edith Magak (AIDSMAP) A study comparing two models for delivering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among pregnant women seeking routine antenatal services at public clinics in Kenya found similar PrEP uptake in the targeted (risk-guided) and universal arms. Additionally, both arms had high PrEP continuation rates, and HIV incidence was also similar. Since the risk-guided approach was not superior and did not improve PrEP decision-making, the researchers recommend universal PrEP counselling – which is easier and simpler to provide. “We found that a risk-guided PrEP offer (Targeted) was not superior to a…

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