Tag: PLHIV

How Motorbikes Have Bridged Diagnostic and Specimen Collection Gap In Rural Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Gokwe, Nembudziya It’s around 12 midday, and the sun is blazing hot despite it being winter in Zimbabwe. There is not much activity, left for the chatter of a few old men seated around a pot of opaque beer at a nearby homestead. From a distance, a buzzing sound like that of bees or hornets approaches from the southern side of Kuwirirana Clinic, a health facility in Gokwe Nembudiziya. As the whirring gets closer, a Biker on a motorcycle emerges from a thick cloud of dust…

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Zim Global Fund Indaba Spotlights Triple Threat Of HIV,TB and NCDs

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE is currently meeting other African countries in Harare for the Global Fund Regional workshop to support countries with integrating NCDs and mental health into their funding request proposals to the Global Fund. By Michael Gwarisa The three day meeting is being attended by delegates from Ministries of Health from the African region, partners, and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) from Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Various speakers who during the official opening day concured that while there have been huge investments towards HIV, TB and malaria response through…

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Journalists Critical In ART Adherence Information Dissemination

Patricia Mashiri

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

Patricia Mashiri

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…

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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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Adopt Women Centred HIV Initiatives To End AIDS Warns Women CSOs

Patricia Mashiri

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…

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Anna Sango Joins Global Network of People Living With HIV

Michael Gwarisa

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…

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Zim PLHIV Situation Room Launched

Michael Gwarisa

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…

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ART Adherence Critical Even During Lockdown- SAfAIDS

Michael Gwarisa

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…

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#COVID-19: HIV Virological Suppression Critical During COVID-19 Pandemic Says PEPFAR

Michael Gwarisa

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…

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