Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu recently in Nkayi
Stigma and discrimination have been identified as one sticking challenge that if left unattended may derail the continued success of HIV programming as pockets of areas are affected.
Adolescent boys and young women are most affected.
This was highlighted by Dr Hebron Dube the District Medical Officer for Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province on the sidelines of a Provincial media tour by the National Aids Council.
He said it is challenging especially with young people who are usually a difficult age group to deal with regarding treatment of HIV.
“One of the major challenges that we still experience even after such a long time is stigma, at schools where they learn or in the communities. They still have difficulty in taking their their mendication openly because of stigma, it still is still there.
“Another challenge are also the distances that they used to travell to the hospital to get their medication which i think has improved through the Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters, (CATS) who are able to help in bringing medication to them,” he said.
Dr Dube said another challenge being faced by adolescents is the side defects of Antiretroviral Therapy where by if they experience a bit of the side effects, they then stop taking their medication and that affects them.
“So that’s why sometimes our viral load suppression is a bit lower in that age group,” he added.
Asked if the district has any major challenges with pediatric ART, Dr Dube said the situation is under control and they are providing ART with limited challenges.
The DMO said interventions by partners have been of great assistance to close in some gaps.
“There has been a great improvement yes, because the support that the partners bring in reaching out to the community. So this actually has been very helpful. They are able to to to support and to work together with the Government to bring more resources to the community, and also to educate then and do other tests that are required,” he added.
He added that HIV testing is being done regularly in Nkayi District, and cases are being found, though, in the previous years, the statistics have been increasing.
@NyembeziMu
