AT least 10 000 HIV viral load tests are done at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo every month.
This was revealed during a tour of the hospital by United States (US) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont yesterday.
She toured the HIV laboratory at the hospital, which recently benefited from investments in cutting-edge technology availed by the US to support Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure.
Addressing journalists at the hospital, during the recognition of Mpilo HIV Laboratory ISO:1589 accreditation, Tremont said the investments were meant to upgrade infrastructure at the hospital to meet international standards.
“We are very proud to say that it recently achieved its ISO:1589 certification meaning that it offers lab testing at a world-class standard for the people of Bulawayo,” she said.
“They are doing over 10 000 viral load tests a month for people whose treatment is not working or for infants.”
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Tremont emphasised the importance of “collaboration that is taking place here and the hard work that these people are doing here”.
“There are challenges for sure, but they are working through them and providing great service to the people of this province so congratulations to them and the health department.”
Mpilo Hospital chief medical officer Narcacius Dzvanga said social media reports saying there was an alarming number of new HIV infections in Bulawayo were untrue.
“Remember, times have changed. Now people live healthily with their medications, unless maybe in instances of socio-economic hardships, where people can get back to their bad ways,” Dzvanga said.
“As for reports of high numbers of HIV in Bulawayo (and the claims that they are the highest), perhaps you will need to talk to the director of city health [Edwin Sibanda] to come and say this is happening in one area or not.”