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Harare Bureau
About 50 victims of rape are treated every month at Gokwe North District Hospital, a senior health official has said. Speaking to journalists during a Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria media tour of Midlands Province last week, sister-in-charge of the female and child health department at the hospital Emily Hove said the majority of raped women miss out on treatment to prevent them from being infected with HIV because they delay seeking the treatment which, should be done within three days of the rape.
According to HIV prevention guidelines, rape victims can be given treatment known as post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours after rape to protect them from the risk of acquiring HIV.
This intervention reduces the risk of HIV infection by more than 90 percent if administered within the stipulated 72 hours.
“From about 50 victims of rape that we record every month, less than five eventually access PEP,” said Hove.
She attributed the low uptake of PEP to delays in seeking medical attention by the victims.
Hove said when the women report after the 72 hours have lapsed, the hospital will only provide other treatment for sexually transmitted infections and assist in selecting family planning methods.
“We have also noted that most of the cases end within the health institution and do not proceed to the police, worse still to the courts,” Hove said.
“They come here because they want treatment, but they are not prepared to testify against the perpetrators because in most cases, the perpetrators would be close friends, relatives or neighbours.”
A snap survey at district and rural health centres in Kwekwe, Gokwe, Zvishavane and Mberengwa showed that most women are not aware of PEP, hence they are not accessing it.
One of the village health workers at Sesame Clinic in Gokwe, Mable Makosi said there was a need to increase information on seeking medical care after rape.
A parent whose four-year-old daughter was sexually abused by a 60-year-old relative, said he was not aware of PEP.
The father, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he only came to the hospital with his daughter because police required a medical report, and they had not necessarily come for treatment.
HIV treatment, prevention and care are some of the areas funded by the Global Fund under a $437 million grant covering the period between January 2014 and December 2016. Global Fund country coordinator for Zimbabwe Mr Oscar Mundida said the bulk of the funding goes toward anti-retroviral treatment, including those that are used for PEP.
Online Reporter