Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
MASVINGO City Council is proactively managing its HIV and Tuberculosis programmes despite recent financial challenges from partners.
The local authority has continued implementing community interventions, working closely with the Government to sustain these efforts.
Mrs Suzanne Madamombe, Director of Health Services for Masvingo, stated that the city has assumed full control of its HIV initiatives, ensuring that programmes remain active even amid funding constraints.
She made these remarks at Rujeko Clinic, which serves over 28 000 residents and caters to more than 5 000 clients each month.
“We are supporting our own programmes and are expanding the clinic to address privacy concerns for our key populations,” Mrs Madamombe said.
“In our 2025 budget, we allocated funds to expand the facility, enabling us to carry out activities within the programme in a more private setting.”
The city also continues to benefit from national efforts. Mrs Madamombe highlighted the ongoing provision of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication used to prevent HIV infection. She said despite disruptions earlier this year due to a stop-work order, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has assured continued support.
“Usaid supplied injectable PrEP and the Dapivirine Ring through Zimbabwe-based studies, and although these were temporarily halted, services have now resumed,” she said.
“Participants in the studies remain HIV-negative, and the interventions continue to be effective. The injectable cabotegravir (CAB PrEP), which is over 90 percent effective, is now available, alongside the Ring, which significantly reduces HIV risk in women.”
Community health workers, including trained nurses and community sisters, are essential to these efforts.
They are deploying various models, such as follow-ups on recipients of care and community-based support, to enhance outreach. The city has also prioritised training to retain health personnel, especially those working with adolescents — a key population affected by HIV.
“We have developed strategies to retain our nurses, ensuring the strength of our key populations’ programmes. We’ve trained support groups for young people living with HIV and identified community members who are adolescent-friendly to provide peer support,” Mrs Madamombe added.
Masvingo also benefits from support from NatPharm for the supply of consumables, maintaining an uninterrupted flow of commodities.
However, the city faces challenges, notably the need for an outreach vehicle to facilitate community follow-ups and a second vehicle for night outreach activities targeting sex workers and artisanal miners.
HIV outreach activities targeting key populations began in 2018. The city is also implementing a Community-Led Monitoring programme to improve communication, making it easier for targeted groups to access vital information through trained community cadres.
