Journalists have been identified as an important vehicle in communicating and raising awareness around Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence, a top government official has said. By Patricia Mashiri recently in Chinhoyi Speaking during a National AIDS Council (NAC) media workshop aimed at informing capacitating Journalists on HIV/AIDS reporting, Dr John Mangwiro, the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care said there was need to come up with innovative means of communicating the HIV and ART adherence message. I implore the media to have to make sure that it fulfills its developmental…
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Mukando Boost For People Living With HIV In Mash Central
THE Zimbabwe National Network of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+) has improved livelihoods of People Living With HIV (PLHIV) in Mashonaland Central through Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) projects or Mukando. By Patricia Mashiri Through assistance from Troicare, ZNNP+ gave Kushinga group based in Nyakudya village, Masembura in Mashonaland Central a total of US$150 to build internal savings and lending groups (Mukando) that would empower PLHIV economically. Before disbursing the funds, a feasibility assessment was done which ensured that a strong committee and other enabling modalities were in place. The…
Read MoreNo Evidence Of Drug Interaction Between ARVs And COVID-19 Vaccines- MoHCC
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…
Read MoreAdopt Women Centred HIV Initiatives To End AIDS Warns Women CSOs
CIVIL Society groups have raised concern over the high prevalence HIV/AIDS as well as the ever growing number of new infections in women and girls who are disproportionately affected by HIV due to their societal roles like harmful cultural practices. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking in a webinar meeting , Jane Kalweo, the Advisor United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) Country Office Zimbabwe said there was need for women centered initiatives as they are always left behind. Women continue to suffer lack of representation. We need more women centered initiatives. The responsible authorities…
Read MoreAnna Sango Joins Global Network of People Living With HIV
TRAILBLAZING and young HIV advocate, Anna Sango has joined the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) as the PLHIV Stigma Index advocacy officer. By Michael Gwarisa As an advocacy officer, Anna will be working closely with the team in providing technical assistance to countries implementing the PLHIV Stigma Index. She will focus on providing assistance to countries on how to turn the results of the PLHIV Stigma Index into advocacy actions. Commenting on her appointment, Anna said she was ready and rearing to go and she would give…
Read MoreZim PLHIV Situation Room Launched
THE People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Situation Room has been launched in Zimbabwe as a means of enhancing communication and data collection system aimed at improving PLHIV engagement, inform service providers, and foster positive change in the HIV response. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual launch of the platform, Zimbabwe National Network Of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+) Executive Director, Mr Tatenda Makoni said the facility will boost advocacy work and facilitate communication between Civil Society Organisations and the HIV community. The program comes with a toll-free line and…
Read MoreART Adherence Critical Even During Lockdown- SAfAIDS
SOUTHERN Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) Sub Regional Head and Country Representative in South Africa, Mr Ngoni Chibukire says adherence to lifesaving Antiretroviral drugs should be observed religiously despite the ongoing lockdowns. By Michael Gwarisa His calls come at the back of increased reports of cases whereby people living with HIV in most parts of the SADC region have been failing to access their ARVs during the lockdown period. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chibukire said the health needs of PLHIV have not changed because there…
Read More#COVID-19: HIV Virological Suppression Critical During COVID-19 Pandemic Says PEPFAR
THE United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) says it was critical to ensure the HIV viral load is suppressed under the prevailing global health crisis where majority of health services have been interrupted. By Michael Gwarisa PEAPFAR recently published guidelines to ensure continuous and effective HIV and AIDS treatement and care under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Click HERE To Access PEPFAR Document: According to PEPFAR, evidence on the impact of COVID-19 amongst PLHIV was still scarce and there is currently no direct evidence that people with HIV…
Read MorePeople Living With HIV Worried Over Expired ARVs…MCAZ Calls For Calm
PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) have expressed concerns over failure by government and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to consult with them following the expiration of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. By Michael Gwarisa The development follows revelations that health institutions continued dispensing ARVs even after they had passed their shelf life. This has not gone down well with PLHIV and on ART who believe the consultation process should have started with them since they are the ones directly affected by any changes in the drugs. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mrs…
Read MoreARVs Crisis Deepens…PLHIV Seek Audience With Finance Minister
PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) will soon be engaging the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to plead with government to allocate foreign currency for procuring Anti Retro Viral Drugs (ARVs), amidst indications that the National Aids Council (NAC) is struggling to make purchases since suppliers are demanding foreign currency. By Michael Gwarisa Indications on the ground show that procurement of ARVs medicines has of late been a Sisyphean task at the back of NAC’s failure to convert the US$ 20 million in RTGS or bond notes stuck in their…
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