Access to ART improves

THE decentralisation of the antiretroviral therapy has been greatly commended following the increase in the number of patients accessing treatment.

In a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the World AIDS Day logo in Harare, the Minister of Health and Child Care Doctor Obadiah Moyo said the decentralisation of ART services to various health centres has seen an increase in the number of people accessing treatment from 5000 in 2004 to 1.2 million to date.

“We have done well in changing the trajectory of HIV and AIDS over the year”, said Doctor Moyo.

Dr Moyo also emphasised the need for continuous empowerment of people against HIV through different interventions.

He said , “It is important to ensure that people know their HIV status as it is the most important intervention which allows people to live and plan their lives in a productive manner.

The health minister also pointed out that HIV testing is the key to access other services such as voluntary medical male circumcision, the prevention of mother to child transmission and the antiretroviral therapy.

“Our ambition to achieve the 90.90.90.90 targets and ending AIDS by 2030 may not be achieved if people are not aware of their status.

The health minister also applauded the National AIDS Council for their commitment in addressing the HIV burden through their HIV prevention strategy campaigns and musical galas.

Meanwhile NAC Board Chairman, Dr Evaristo Marowa also emphasised the need to increase the uptake of HIV testing in order to access other essential services.

Dr Marowa said over the years NAC has capitalised on opportunity gains and intergrated HIV testing with screenings for common non communicable diseases,sexually transmitted infections, TB in a one stop shop approach.

‘Knowing one’s status for all the conditions is a major step towards ending stigma and accessing of HIV treatment, he said.

He commended the country’s HIV response as it now focuses more on wellness which is in line with sustainable development goals.

This year’s World AIDS Day is was celebrated under the theme Know Your Status #My status, my health, my life. The global theme has been broadened from just focusing on knowing one’s HIV status to cover sexual transmitted infections, TB, and cancers, all which have a strong association with HIV.

Commemorations were held on 1 December 2018 at Rujeko Secondary School in Glendale, Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central.