adminAshley Mujoma
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care deputy director for HIV/Aids and STIs, Tsitsi Apollo, has said people should work together to mitigate the impact of HIV and Aids on Zimbabwe’s vulnerable children.
Speaking at the launch of the Mavambo Vana (MV) Activity on Tuesday, Apollo said this can be achieved through enhancing the sustainability of care and support services for orphans and vulnerable children.
She said when people are initiated in ART, appropriate support is essential to reduce potential barriers to maximise success in achieving sustained viral suppression.
“The formation of support groups has been the cornerstone of the project that children have peer-to-peer support to ensure ART adherence, among other benefits of tackling a pandemic as a united force, resulting in viral suppression.
“The average ART coverage across Harare, Goromonzi, and Chitungwiza districts for the project OVC participants was 100 percent, which is above the national ART coverage of 85 percent.
“Referrals were completed, and those who tested HIV positive were initiated on ART immediately under the test and treatment guidelines.
“It is of paramount importance to learn that those who tested positive were enrolled into the MCV comprehensive programme and those who tested negative into the preventive programme, and got counselling and learnt awareness on HIV prevention,” she said.
Online Reporter