Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
THE National Aids Council has intensified workplace-based HIV prevention interventions in Hwedza District in response to rising new infections linked to mining and farming activities, as the country steps up efforts to manage HIV and Aids as a public health threat by 2030.
This comes as Hwedza District recorded an HIV prevalence rate increase of 11 percent, with about 6 172 people currently on anti-retroviral treatment, according to NAC.
The district has a population of approximately 75 000 people, meaning more than one in every 10 residents is living with HIV.
Hwedza, which is dominated by artisanal mining and commercial farming, has emerged as one of the HIV hotspots in Mashonaland East Province.
Authorities say the influx of artisanal miners, particularly at Hwedza Mountain, has contributed significantly to new infections, with increased disposable income fuelling risky sexual behaviour and attracting commercial sex work around mining sites.
As a result, NAC has rolled out the workplace peer-led prevention model, which takes HIV prevention services directly to high-risk work environments, including mining areas and business centres.
The programme is also being implemented at Hwedza Centre and other identified hotspots across the district.
Speaking during a recent NAC media tour, Hwedza District Aids coordinator, Mrs Mnagazana Chandinga, said the interventions are aimed at reversing the district’s high HIV incidence and prevalence rates.
“We have the highest incidence rate in the province as well as the highest prevalence rate,” Mrs Chandinga said.
“Investigations have shown that this trend may be largely driven by the influx of artisanal miners who are frequenting Hwedza District. Ever since their arrival, the problem has grown. We also have farming communities in the district that are contributing to these challenges.”
She said NAC initially introduced targeted community programmes to respond to the growing risk.
“We have hotspots in the district which include Dendenyore, Hwedza Centre, Makarara and Gotora business centres. Because of these challenges, we first introduced the Sista2Sista intervention targeting women, as well as the Behaviour Change Community Motivator (BCCM) programme for men,” she said.
Mrs Chandinga said NAC has since expanded its approach to include the workplace peer-led prevention model, which targets both commercial sex workers and their clients.
“We are now implementing the workplace model in all the identified hotspots, targeting commercial sex workers and their clients, artisanal miners, farm workers and people in the informal sector, particularly those operating at Hwedza Centre,” she said.
She said that the programmes are designed to reduce new HIV infections and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through testing, education and behaviour change.
Hwedza Ward 15 peer-led mentor, Ms Melody Mushore, said the programme is already yielding positive results.
“We introduced this programme in March 2025 and there is a noticeable change in behaviour,” she said.
“I work with three groups of 20 people each, and members are happy because they are being assisted in many ways. We bring services to the people, including HIV testing and education on how to live a healthy life.”
Informal trader at Hwedza Centre, Mr Tinashe Masungo, said the interventions had helped him make informed health decisions.
“NAC officials visited my workplace and introduced their programmes, and I embraced them. After discussions, I even got tested and I was happy to know my status and that of my wife,” he said.
“Some people are perishing because of lack of knowledge, and NAC is making sure we have all the critical information.”
A commercial sex worker at Hwedza Mountain, Ms Tashinga Chamunoda (26), said the workplace approach has made it easier for them to access services.
“Most of us find it difficult to travel to the nearest clinic for these services,” she said.
“We are thankful to NAC for bringing services and knowledge to our workstations. I get tested regularly and I insist on protected sex. There are clients who offer more money for unprotected sex, but I always turn them down.”
