Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE National AIDS Council (NAC) has intensified HIV prevention and treatment interventions in Beitbridge District in collaboration with key stakeholders, as the border town continues to record the highest number of new HIV infections in Matabeleland South Province.
Speaking during a recent media tour, District AIDS Coordinator Mr Edward Mulaudzi said Beitbridge’s status as a busy border post and transport hub continues to expose it to high HIV transmission risks.
“Beitbridge has the highest new HIV infections, which is consistent with its status as a border town and transport hub, increasing vulnerability,” said Mr Mulaudzi.
He said the district’s HIV incidence rate stands at 0.20 percent, which is in line with the provincial average for Matabeleland South.
Mr Mulaudzi said the figures point to an urgent need for targeted public health interventions, expanded prevention programmes and improved access to treatment services.
“The data reveal substantial HIV transmission risks in the province that must be addressed to reduce the epidemic’s impact locally and align more closely with national HIV reduction goals,” he said.
According to 2025 HIV estimates, Beitbridge has 18 659 people living with HIV, with 18 127 already on antiretroviral therapy.
Mr Mulaudzi said NAC and its partners are focusing on intensified testing, treatment adherence support, condom distribution and targeted programmes for mobile populations, truck drivers and young people in high-risk areas.
He said Beitbridge’s position as Zimbabwe’s busiest land border post makes it a hotspot for HIV transmission due to high mobility and cross-border movement.
“The border post handles an average of 12 000 to 22 000 travellers and 500 to 800 truckers on a daily basis (ZIMRA figures), and delays in clearing traffic often result in travellers engaging in risky sexual behaviours,” he said.
“There is also an influx of illegal migrants not only from Zimbabwe, but from the SADC region and beyond. In addition, drug and substance abuse, especially among adolescents, is one of the major challenges the district is facing, leading to an increase in teenage pregnancies and child marriages.”
Mr Mulaudzi said NAC is rolling out mobile clinic services with support from partners including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to promote testing, treatment, family planning and other sexual and reproductive health services.
He said traditional leaders are also playing a key role through the “Not In My Village” initiative, which seeks to reduce new infections, teenage pregnancies, age-disparate relationships and child marriages that fuel HIV transmission.
Mr Mulaudzi said the district is also implementing Community ART Refill Groups (CARGs) to strengthen treatment adherence among patients in communities.
In addition, peer-led programmes such as Sista2Sista are being expanded, where trained mentors educate their peers on HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health issues.
He said efforts are also underway to launch the “Not In My Church” programme in collaboration with heads of Christian denominations.
“We are also translating some of the concepts into local languages and we are pushing to have the adoption of the ‘Not In My School’ programme. At the same time, we have enlisted the services of the local community radio station (Lotsha FM), which broadcasts in local languages, to raise awareness across the district,” said Mr Mulaudzi.
