NAC rolls out Find, Test and Treat programme

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) is rolling out testing and counselling programme in Marondera targeted at children below the age of nine, an official has said.

The campaign called the Find, Test and Treat programme, will also target young mothers between the age of 18 and 24.

Marondera District AIDS Coordinator Mr Sebastian Manjengwa told The Herald on the sidelines of a stakeholder meeting held in Marondera recently that they were aiming for an inclusive approach in combating the spread of HIV and AIDS.

He said NAC had since partnered AFICAIDS and Seke Rural Home Based Care in implementing the programme.

“NAC has embarked on a Find, Test and Treat programme in Marondera District, a programme which targets children under the age of nine,” Mr Manjengwa said.

“We embarked on this programme after realising that most adults are receiving medical assistance and are on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), but are not encouraging their children to get tested, there is a missing link there and we must make sure we cover these children. The programme also targets young mothers between the age of 18 and 24 to make the programme effective, we have partnered with AFRICAID and Seke Rural Home Based Care Centre.” Mr Manjengwa urged parents to encourage their children to get tested and know their statuses.

“We will not force these children and young mothers to do this, but we urge parents and guardians of children who fall in the age group stated above to encourage them to get tested and know their statuses,” he said.

“We are targeting 1 000 children under this programme in Marondera District, so we are saying to young mothers and children, even those below the age of two, get tested. Coupled with the Find, Test and Treat programme is the TB Screening, ART refill and PMTCT among other initiatives.”

In Marondera, 868 children and 17 984 adults are receiving first line of ART, Mr Manjengwa said.