Plans are underway to give people living with HIV and Aids
a six months’ supply of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) protect them from
contracting the coronavirus Covid-19 through regular visits to health centres
to stock up.
The plan is being worked on by the National Aids Council
(NAC) and partners. This comes in the wake of scaled-up support from the PEPFAR
Zimbabwe programme sponsored by the United States.
Scientists have managed to prove that the novel coronavirus
is claiming the lives of people who have underlying health conditions such as
HIV.
NAC communications officer Mrs Tadiwa Nyatanga-Pfupa said
it was also in the best interest of HIV clients to collect the drugs in large
quantities to enable them to save on transport costs and user fees.
“The National Aids Council and its partners have been
communicating that people on ART can collect a minimum of three months and a
maximum of six months supplies of ARVs,” she said.
PEPFAR Zimbabwe reportedly plans to scale up clinical
services, particularly by targeting various groups of people vulnerable to HIV
and Aids.
The aid agency will soon roll out an electronic health
record system.
“Zimbabwe will also focus on the development and roll-out
of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system,” said US Embassy spokesperson Mr
Sizani Weza.
“The EHR captures patient demographics, registers services
provided and monitors the follow-up of patients with conditions such as HIV and
Aids and TB.
“EHR will help build sustainability into current
programmes.
“The country will continue to move clients from three to
six month dispensing of antiretroviral medications, a strategy to keep
HIV-infected clients healthy and away from crowded clinics during the Covid-19
pandemic.”
PEPFAR Zimbabwe is presently investing in a comprehensive
package for HIV treatment and prevention in 44 districts in the country.
About 1,2 million people living with HIV and Aids in its
next fiscal year are being targeted.
“A prevention programme for adolescent girls and young
women called DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored and
Safe) will expand from six districts to 16 and will reach over 160 000 girls
and young women,” Mr Weza said.
“DREAMS beneficiaries will receive HIV prevention packages
that include pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis.”
PEPFAR Zimbabwe is also collaborating with the Global Fund
in its support to people living with HIV and Aids in the country.
The PEPFAR Zimbabwe programme is this year channelling
US$230 million towards the country’s HIV and Aids initiatives. Sunday Mail
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