Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
COMMUNITIES in Matabeleland South Province have started embracing community antiretroviral therapy (ART) refilling groups (CARGs) and out of community ART distribution (OFCARD) programmes that are being implemented by the National Aids Council (NAC) to ensure strict adherence to treatment.
This model includes the delivery of ART to stable HIV positive patients who are willing to disclose their status to each other and form a group where one person collects the drugs on behalf of others.
The initiative is helping reduce cases of defaulting, especially those living far away from clinics and other health institutions who are often reluctant to travel for longer distances to access medication.
Those that are reluctant to travel are usually from very remote areas and others in resettlement areas where health facilities are still limited. HIV remains a challenge in Matabeleland South, with a 17,3 percent prevalence rate which is the highest in the country. NAC’s provincial programmes officer, Mr Wilfred Ngwenya told journalists during a tour of HIV/Aids projects being implemented in the province, that the main purpose of CARGs is to improve adherence to ART, reduce workload on health workers and decongest health facilities by streamlining the ART refill process and reducing transport costs for patients. He said they have carried out CARGs training in Beitbridge, Bulilima, Gwanda, Mangwe and Insiza districts as part of the organisations’ several initiatives to fight the pandemic.
“We are targeting needy areas, mostly in rural areas, guided by the national census figures. Some programmes include the CARGs, Peer Led Model and Male Engagement programme among others.
“At the same time, we have the Not In My Village model where we seek to influence behaviour change to reduce new infections. This initiative is being led by traditional leaders and we are pleased with the progress on the ground said Mr Ngwenya.
At the mobile clinics, he said members of the community are accessing free HIV/Aids screening, maternal health care, eye and counselling services among others.
“We are happy to be part of this programme that has brought relief to many people who no longer travel long distances to access medication and related services,” said Mrs Maria Mundure, a village health worker in Shangani resettlement area in Insiza district.
Insiza and Beitbridge districts are some of the HIV hot spot areas where risky sexual behaviour is being observed which has led to teen pregnancies and child marriages.
“It is pleasing to note that the CARG model is gaining traction in our community and at the same time we wish authorities could bring mobile clinics to our area once a month,” added Mrs Mundure.
An elderly woman identified only as Ma-Ndlovu said the CARGs and OFCARD model have helped reduce cases of defaulting.
“You will note that issues of health are critical and accessing such services seamlessly is a welcome development. I encourage more people acrosss the province to embrace this model,” said a CARG beneficiary who preferred anonymity.
A councillor from Filabusi, Mr Daniel Dube said they were happy to collaborate with NAC and related stakeholders in fighting the rise of HIV in communities.
He said the CARG and peer led model have created a shift in the attitude of people towards the pandemic.
“This programme by our Government through NAC is very critical considering the distances some people used to travel to access services. So having the CARGs, regular mobile clinics and seeing our traditional leaders adding voices on some risky behaviours will go a long way in reducing new infections and also ensuring that those already infected have access to relevant services,” said Mrs Sindisiwe Ndlovu from Mtshazo area in Gwanda.
A senior village head from Sitezi area in Mtshabezi, Mr Innocent Mabena said traditional leaders now appreciate the importance of joining the fight against HIV/Aids.
