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The decentralization of the antiretroviral therapy has been greatly commended following an increase in the number of patients accessing treatment.
In a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the 2018 World Aids Day logo in Harare, the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo said the decentralisation of ART services to various health centres has seen an increase in the number of people accessing treatment from 5 000 in 2004 to 1,2 million to date.
“We have done well in changing the trajectory of HIV and Aids over the year,” said Dr Moyo.
Dr Moyo also emphasised the need for continuous empowerment of people against HIV through different interventions.
He said, “It is important that people know their HIV status as it is the most important intervention which allows people to live and plan their lives in a reproductive manner.
The Health Minister also pointed out that HIV testing is the key to access other services such as voluntary medical male circumcision, the prevention of mother to child transmission and the antiretroviral therapy.
“Our ambition to achieve the 90-90-90 target and ending Aids by 2030 may not be achieved if people are not aware of their status.
The Health Minister also applauded the Nation Aids Council for their commitment in addressing the HIV burden through their HIV prevention strategy campaigns and musical galas.
Meanwhile, Nac board chairman Dr Evaristo Marowa also emphasised the need to increase the uptake of HIV testing in order to access other essential services.
Dr Marowa said over the years Nac has capitalised on opportunity gains and integrated HIV testing with screenings for common non-communicable diseases, sexually transmitted infections, TB in a one-stop shop approach.
“Knowing one’s status for all the conditions is a major step towards ending stigma and accessing HIV treatment,” he said.
He recommended the country’s HIV response as it now focusses more on wellness which is in line with sustainable development goals.
This year’s World Aids Day is celebrated under the theme “Know your Status #My Status, my health, my life. The global theme has been broadened from just focusing on knowing one’s HIV status to cover sexually transmitted infections, TB and cancers all of which have a strong association with HIV.
Commemorations were held on 1 December 2018 at Rujeko Secondary School in Glendale Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central.
Online Reporter