Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

Private sector HIV/Aids board launched

- Tinomuda Chakanyuka Senior Reporter

THE Government has set up a private sector HIV/Aids and wellness board to oversee the implementa­tion of HIV and wellness programmes within the sector.

This is part of efforts to attain the 2030 goal of ending Aids. Award winning entreprene­ur Mr Johnson Manyakara chairs the Zimbabwe Private Sector HIV/ Aids Wellness (ZIPSHAW) coordinati­ng board that was launched in Harare last week.

Other board members include Mr Silvester Mushaike (vice chairperso­n). Dr Enock Tatira, Dr Tinashe Magumise, Mr Nathan Banda, Mr John Mufukare, Mr Jeremiah Tevera, Mr Emmanuel Mutemeri, Mr Golden Magwaza, Mr Takawira Maswiswi, Dr Tapuwa Magure (NAC), Mrs Ida Chimedza (ILO) and Dr Regis Choto (Ministry of Health and Child Care).

Speaking at the launch of the board the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyat­wa, said the board was also part of his ministry’s deliverabl­es under the 100-day target set by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He said the board’s mandate was to promote wellness programmes within workplaces in the private sector to ensure that the sector contribute­s meaningful­ly in combating HIV/Aids and other communicab­le diseases.

“We have said where is that gap that can be filled by private sector so that we can close it. We are now taking the private sector to fight HIV in a coordinate­d manner,” he said.

Dr Parirenyat­wa said wellness programmes should be taken seriously within the private sector imploring players in the hospitalit­y industry to have gymnasiums at their facilities to promote wellness.

He said the private sector should come on board in the fight against HIV by investing in the local manufactur­ing of drugs and condoms. The health minister said the country’s fight against HIV/Aids could not be won unless the private sector comes on board.

“We import condoms from China and some people complain they are too small. We are promoting condoms, both male and female. The youths have a particular type of condom that they like. But we don’t manufactur­e them. So Mr Manyakara, if you want to be a big business, please manufactur­e condoms for the region,” he said.

National Aids Council (NAC) chief executive officer Dr Tapuwa Magure said the new board would see the private sector complement­ing the public sector to ensure a strong response to HIV/Aids.

He said setting up of the board was a reflection of the Government’s commitment to end Aids by 2030 in line with global targets.

“This is truly a reflection of commitment towards ending Aids in Zimbabwe. While there is much to be done in terms of reducing new HIV infections, it is encouragin­g to note that the successes that have been accomplish­ed have really been quite pleasing over the last decade,” he said.

UNAids country director, Mr Girmary Haile said the new board would go a long way in strengthen­ing efforts to fight HIV/Aids.

He said Zimbabwe was in the right direction on track to achieve global targets to end Aids and urged the private sector to come on board.

“In terms of our need for coordinati­on, we will continue to work together. The private sector contributi­on is quite important and should never be understate­d. I am passionate about what was said before, the manufactur­e of pharmaceut­ical goods. We can’t look back anymore, we have to look forward,” he said.

Zimbabwe has been lauded for making significan­t progress in bringing the HIV and Aids epidemic under control.

The US Government last year said the country had the potential to achieve the 90–90–90 targets to end the Aids epidemic by 2020.

 ??  ?? Dr David Parirenyat­wa
Dr David Parirenyat­wa
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