Tag: ART

POTRAZ Advises Zim To Use SMS And Voice Network For Health Communication Interventions… Says majority of Zimbabweans still using generic phones

Michael Gwarisa

The Mobile Revolution is here and Zimbabwe just like many other countries in the world has progressed in ensuring access to mobile phone services is affordable by anyone regardless of economic background. In Zimbabwe, even horses have cell-phones and there are probably more mobile phones than there are toothbrushes in the world. By Michael Gwarisa The mobile phone is accessible in even the most remote areas of the world where often times access to clean water, medical personnel or health facilities do not exist. Mobile phone technology has a growing…

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Zimbabwe’s Aged Persons on ARVs at Greater Risk of NCDs

Michael Gwarisa

HIV and AIDS is slowly becoming an ageing issue in Zimbabwe with indications that majority of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) are those above the age of 50 and are at greater risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). By Michael Gwarisa Even though the country has been recording a number of new infections amongst young girls and women, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has raised concern over the concentration of PLHIV and ART clients in the 50 and above age range and…

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After Falling Off The Radar, Orphaned HIV Positive Boy Develops High Viral Load

Michael Gwarisa

A few minutes after bringing her son into this world, Simba Ncube’s* mother lost her life to AIDS related complications in 2010. Luckily before she died, Simba’s mother had registered her cousin sister, Ms Pride Ncube* as the next of kin and guardian to her child. On the fateful day, the hospital called Ms Ncube informing her that her sister had died and had indicated that she wanted her to raise her child. By Michael Gwarisa in Mutare However, a family feud ensued shortly afterwards with Simba’s maternal grandparents demanding…

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Towards an AIDS Free Generation, Nyazura Celebrates PMTCT Milestone

Michael Gwarisa

“GETTING initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as well as registering for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program early has been the best decision I have ever made,” said Tracey Makoni* (27) from Nyazura, in Manicaland province during an interview with HealthTimes on a media tour that was organised by the Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT).  Tracey has five children and even though they were born after she had already tested positive for HIV, none amongst them has HIV, thanks to the PMTCT program being offered…

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PSH rolls out HIV treatment literacy campaign, coined ‘Flip the Script’

Patricia Mashiri

Population Solutions for Health (PSH), formerly PSI Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), launched “Flip the Script”, a campaign aimed at enhancing HIV treatment literacy and promoting adherence to ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) medication amongst PLHIV. By Patricia Mashiri The campaign is currently being implemented in three areas, namely, Nyabira in Zvimba district, Marange in Manicaland and Luveve in Bulawayo. PSH and the Ministry of Health & ChildCare introduced the campaign during meetings with community leaders including traditional and religious leaders; health care providers and influencers from…

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No Evidence Of Drug Interaction Between ARVs And COVID-19 Vaccines- MoHCC

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has says there is no possibility of drug interaction if a Person Living with HIV (PLHIV) takes the COVID-19 vaccine, hence persons with HIV and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) should not hesitate to get the jab. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual Media Briefing on HIV and COVID-19 vaccines that was organized by the Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals (ZACH), Mr Paul Chinakidzwa the Health Promotions Manager in the Ministry of Health said the COVID-19 vaccines for which WHO has…

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Zim Married Couples Urged To Use Condoms

Michael Gwarisa

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Mr Amon Mpfofu says the risk of HIV infection is equally high among married couples as evidenced by latest nationwide HIV estimates. By Michael Gwarisa recently In Chinhoyi Speaking to Editors and Station Mangers during a sensitization meeting that was organized by NAC in Chinhoyi, Mr Mpofu attributed the high number of new HIV infections in Matebelenad South to spousal separation as  married couples are either separated by work or migration into neighboring countries. In 2020, the highest HIV prevalence was…

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Capacitate Local Pharmaceutical Companies To Manufacture ARVs, Gvt Told

Patricia Mashiri

THE Zimbabwe National Network of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+), has called on government to ensure local drugs manufacturing companies are fully resourced and equipped to manufacture life saving Antiretroviral medicines. By Patricia Mashiri Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) championing HIV and AIDS issues in the recent years petitioned parliament to ensure uninterrupted availability of ARV drugs following reports of recurrent stock-outs and drugs unavailability. Speaking  at the National Dialogue on the Manufacturing of Medicines in Zimbabwe, Deputy Health and Child Care Minister, Dr John Mangwiro said government was committed to…

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Zimbabwe’s 2020 Global AIDS Monitoring Report Shows Progress In Bending AIDS Trajectory

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE has released its 2020 Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM) report which shows that the country is itching closer to epidemic control despite a myriad of challenges threatening to reverse the gains achieved so far, chief among them being the COVID-19 pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa Addressing a Press Conference where he presented on GAM and progress made so far, National AIDS Council (NAC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Benard Madzima said the country achieved tits 90-9090 targets and the results from the GAM estimates also tallies with the ZIMPHIA results that were…

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Condom Use Declines Among Zim Sex Workers As Country Misses 2020 Condom Distribution Target

Michael Gwarisa

A total 83 million male condoms and 2.9 million female condoms were distributed in the year 2020, which is a far cry from the 100 million for men and 5.5 million that had been targeted for women during the year. By Michael Gwarisa The target misses were largely attributed to service disruption due to Covid-19. The 2020 figures were the lowest compared to the previous three years. The decline in condom distribution also affected uptake and use of condoms by Female Sex Workers and other HIV high risk groups. Presenting…

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