Government to unveil measures to curb HIV spread in Matabeleland

GOVERNMENT is preparing to unveil a comprehensive set of measures to address the alarming spread of HIV in the Matabeleland region.

The initiatives will focus on prevention, education, and treatment to combat the rising infection rates. The ultimate goal is to reduce new HIV cases and improve the overall health outcomes for affected communities in the region.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora announced in a parliamentary session last week that Zimbabwe is exploring partnerships to boost manufacturing capabilities while learning from international models.

“Zimbabwe is receiving HIV programme support from Global Fund and PEPFAR, but this may end beyond 2026. To prepare, we are developing a sustainability roadmap with stakeholders to identify strategies to fill potential funding gaps and ensure programme continuity using local resources,” he said.

“We are exploring partnerships to boost our manufacturing capabilities, learning from Egypt’s successful model. While there’s interest in building our capacity for medicine production, including contraceptives and condoms, it’s not a current focus.”

Dr Mombeshora highlighted the escalating HIV rates in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, and South provinces, raising serious concerns. He said Government is committed to implementing effective strategies to combat this challenge through a comprehensive plan that includes prevention, testing, treatment, and support services.

Outreach programmes will be intensified to raise awareness about HIV prevention, promote safe practices, and encourage regular testing in affected areas.

“We believe that education and awareness are key components in combating the spread of HIV. By empowering individuals with accurate information and promoting behaviour change, we can make significant strides in reducing new infections and improving the overall health outcomes for our communities,” he said.

Dr Mombeshora said Government plans to enhance access to HIV testing and treatment services across the provinces, ensuring that individuals receive timely and appropriate care.

He said efforts will also be made to reduce stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV, fostering a more supportive environment for affected individuals and their families.

“Our priority is to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare services, including HIV testing and treatment. We are dedicated to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society that values the health and well-being of all its members,” said Dr Mombeshora.

He said Zimbabwe does not manufacture HIV medicines and the Government has made arrangements with an Indian company to manufacture oral contraceptives specifically for Zimbabwe.

“We are not 100 percent reliant on donor funds for our contraceptives. We purchase them, we have funds from the Treasury that we use to purchase contraceptives, which are distributed for free in all our institutions for needy women and adolescents who require them,” said Dr Mombeshora.

“We are planning to manufacture a lot of molecules locally. It is not easy because you need a licence unless you have developed your formula.”

Dr Mombeshora said Government is willing to partner with companies that can assist in manufacturing capacities.
“We have visited many manufacturing facilities, specifically in Egypt, where they have developed their local manufacturing much more than any other country in Africa,” he said.

Matabeleland South last year recorded a prevalence rate of 17,3 percent while Matabeleland North had 14,5 percent.
Dr Mombeshora said the figures contrast with the national average, where most provinces are between nine percent and 11 percent.

Manicaland has the lowest rate with 9,4 percent followed by Masvingo which has 9,6 percent. Dr Mombeshora told Parliament the reasons for the high rates in Matabeleland South and North would require detailed reports from provincial medical directors to identify localised challenges and adapt corrective measures accordingly.

He said Zimbabwe has about 1,2 million people on antiretroviral treatment (ART). “We hope the figure is not going to increase, but we are going to see a decrease as some are going to get natural attrition and the new being born without being HIV-positive because of the modern treatment that we are now instituting,” said Dr Mombeshora.

The National Aids Council (NAC), through the National Aids Trust Fund, created by the Government, has supported programmes to reduce infection rates, significantly lowering them from a peak of almost 30 percent to the current range of 8-14 percent.