adminThe Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera, said such moves would eliminate new HIV infections. He was speaking on Thursday at the closing ceremony of the four-day second national conference on HIV and Aids held in Harare.
“This conference marks a significant milestone in ending this global injustice and the beginning of the road for Zimbabwe to reach the target of reducing MTCT (mother-to-child transmission) to less than five percent by 2015. We must actively promote HIV testing and counselling until every Zimbabwean knows their HIV status. This is the starting point of elimination. With the need for each of us to know their HIV status, we must be innovative and embrace new approaches such as the know your HIV status campaigns through door-to door testing,” he said.
Dr Madzorera said all pregnant women should have access to antenatal care, HIV testing and counselling.
Speaking to journalist after the conference, Dr Madzorera said the door-to-door campaign strategy was a way forward in eliminating HIV and Aids.
“The way we test HIV should be (like) the way we test malaria and other diseases. When we get to that stage, then we will conquer,” he said.
The director of the TB and Aids unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Dr Owen Mugurungi said the nation should be brave enough, innovative and accept strategies like the door-to-door testing.
Online Reporter