Resource constraints hamstring HIV intervention programmes in Muzarabani

RESOURCE constraints are limiting HIV intervention programmes in Muzarabani, Mashonaland Central province, particularly in marginalised communities.

Zimbabwe has made progress in responding to the HIV pandemic over the years.

Over the past four years, there has been a decline in HIV prevalence from 12% in 2020 to 11,58% in 2023.

However, district Aids co-ordinator for Muzarabani, Richard Chasima, said while the district has made progress in the HIV response programme, there are also challenges.

“As a district, we have challenges of resources, where we have 29 wards, most of them being in remote areas,” Chasima said.

“Inasmuch as we want to reach out to these communities, especially along the border, thus in Kairezi and Chiwenga, we have people from Mozambique coming to access service, but we have problems when it comes to follow-ups.”

• 57% of sex workers HIV positive

He said child marriages and gender-based violence, which are drivers of HIV, were rampant in the district.

He, however, said they were working with partners and the Health ministry to reach out to all communities.

“HIV is affecting young people the hardest, so we have come up with HIV strategies targeting girls and young women.

“We are also implementing programmes that target sex workers and their clients.”

Meanwhile, Chasima said he was impressed by the number of men accessing HIV services.

“The moonlight testing service is helping a lot as we are seeing men coming at night to access HIV services. During the moonlight testing yesterday (Wednesday), we tested about 107 men and 64 women, mainly sex workers.”

He said NAC was reaching out to HIV hotspot St Albert’s turnoff, Centenary and Muzarabani growth point with services.

The HIV prevalence for Muzarabani is 7%, in a district with 143 000 people, according to latest population statistics.