LUXSON Soda, country director for Development Aid for People to People (DAPP) — a non-governmental organisation which has been working in Zimbabwe for the past 42 years — says the International Conference on Aids and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) held from December 4 to 9 last year was a leap forward in achieving the 95-95-95 goal oriented HIV and Aids and TB advancement in the HIV and Aids testing and treatment services like self-testing and improved access to information.
At the conference, it emerged that platforms which talk about HIV and Aids may help in the fight against stigma through incorporating messages on critical issues such as business concepts, climate change, global networking and the like.
“It is now 30 years of our pilot project and we realised and were convinced that the HIV epidemic can be controlled,” Soda told NewsDay.“We also took note of the importance of embracing an integrated approach to the treatment of HIV and Aids and TB. There is improved access to anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and clinical services.
“We are very happy with the government of Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe has made frantic efforts to avail ART and other clinical services. ICASA was a blessing to us and Zimbabwe at large. As for us from DAPP, we came in our large numbers to learn from others.
“DAPP does a number of programmes and interventions such as HIV and Aids and TB prevention and treatment facilitation services, knowledge and skills development for self-sustenance in Mashonaland Central province. This is where the people-to-people concept comes in, alleviating unemployment.
“We believe in getting to the people and chasing the United Nations prescribed goal of 95-95-95 and we work in conjunction with the Health and Child Care ministry to improve the access to health facilities.” Soda added.
