Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE National AIDS Council (Nac) is mainstreaming access to various health-related services to people with HIV through integrated health care outreach programmes as part of efforts to upscale the fight against the pandemic.
The outreach programmes which have been rolled out in various villages have seen community members access various health care services.
They include HIV testing and counseling, cervical cancer screening, family planning, mental health services, eye screening, condom distribution among others.
The service providers also educate the community on health topics such as gender based violence, drug and substance abuse among others.
Speaking during a health care outreach programme in Samlodi area in Ward 14, Gwanda District, villagers said the programme has helped to bring key health services closer to them.
The programme saw the elderly and People with Disabilities (PWDs) being able to access health services closer.
The outreach programme is among the projects which were visited by media practitioners during an ongoing Nac Matabeleland South media tour.
Gogo Georgina Sibanda from Ntanye Village said it was a relief to get free health related services in their community.
“This programme has brought huge relief to us because at times we won’t be having transport money to go to the health facility. We rely on two clinics, Selonga and Chelesa. To reach Selonga we need scotch carts because there is no transport while to reach Chelesa we need to board twice. With this outreach programme we can get examined and receive medication without any hassle,” she said.
Gogo Sithabile Moyo (66) who is battling arthritis and also taking medication for diabetes and high blood pressure said she has to travel to Gwanda Town for check ups and to get medication. She said this is a huge burden considering her condition.
Gogo Moyo said there is need for more outreach programmes as they bring the much needed relief.
NAC Gwanda District AIDS Coordinator, Mrs Alice Moyo said the outreach programme is part of efforts to improve community access to HIV related services. She said response to HIV treatment is affected if patients cannot access other health related services.
“As NAC we engaged various partners which include the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council, Gwanda One stop Centre, Young People’s Network among others to offer health related services to the Samlodi Community. Such activities are crucial in our HIV prevention drive.
“We have also integrated and mainstreamed other issues such drug and substance abuse, gender based violence, mental state and screening of non communicable diseases in our HIV strategy,” she said.
She said people living with HIV are becoming susceptible to NCDs, which eventually kill them.
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