Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Government has dismissed social media reports claiming there is a crisis in HIV treatment for Zimbabweans returning from South Africa, saying systems are in place to ensure continuity of care at Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre.
Beitbridge District Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Lenos Samhere, told the Joint Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Peace and Security, Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on Monday that returnees were being screened and linked to treatment without delay.
He said some of the returnees were already part of the Community ART Refill Groups (CARG) model while others were given a month’s supply of ARVs upon arrival and were referred to clinics at their intended destinations for further management.
“Since tensions began, we attended to 3 714 patients at the reception centre clinic with the support of other partners. Sixty percent were women, while children under 15 years formed 26 percent of those we attended,” he said.
“Most of the patients sought help to manage hypertension issues, family planning, ARV resupply, headache, and upper respiratory tract issues. So we mobilised resources from our hospital and partners.”
Dr Samhere said the ministry is running a fully-fledged clinic at the reception centre with support from partners.
He said the team also conducted catch-up immunisation for children, including measles vaccination for those coming from South Africa.
“We also did some catch-up immunisation for some children and offered a one-month supply of ARVs for HIV patients and referred them for integration into clinics at their destination,” he said.
The committee was in Beitbridge for a verification exercise following the mass return of Zimbabweans at the height of anti-migrant protests in South Africa.
Committee chairperson Cde Exevia Maoneke commended the Government for the response.
“We appreciate the efforts by the Government in bringing home Zimbabweans who are affected by xenophobia in South Africa,” he said.
“From what we have been briefed and seen here on the ground, we are impressed by the coordination by all arms of government and its partners.”
He said the border also served as a transit point for Zambians and Malawians returning by road.
Cde Maoneke said the joint committee from the lower and upper houses wanted to establish whether security measures were in place for vetting and whether key public services were available at the centre.
In response to the protests, the Government deployed inter-ministerial teams and arranged transport.
Through the Department of Civil Protection, it is working with the private sector, NGOs, churches and development partners to facilitate safe repatriation and reintegration.
