Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Robin Muchetu in Chipinge, Senior Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care in collaboration with the National Aids Council (NAC) is making significant strides in managing HIV and enhancing awareness among residents of the Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge District.
Out of a population exceeding 16 000, 113 individuals are currently on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
The settlement’s administrator, Mr Johanne Mhlanga highlighted the efforts made to educate refugees and asylum seekers about HIV, empowering them to take charge of their health.
“We have 113 individuals who are on ART who are receiving support from our health professionals within the settlement. We continue to get help from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and NAC,” he said.
“We also provide services related to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission to enhance the protection of children born to mothers with HIV.”
The settlement’s population comprises 48 percent children, 33 percent youth and 19 percent adults.
Mr Mhlanga said in response to this demographic, targeted intervention programmes such as Sista2Sista and Brotha2Brotha have been implemented to educate adolescent boys and girls about HIV prevention.
“With the help of NAC, we have rolled out the Sista2Sista interventions involving 50 young girls and women focused on sexual reproductive health, HIV, and Aids awareness,” Mr Mhlanga added.
“The idea behind the programme is to encourage women and girls to be tested and promote health-seeking behaviour among young people while addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) issues.”
Sister Rugare Marambire who is in charge of the Tongogara Clinic noted that while there are a small number of individuals defaulting on ART, efforts are in place to follow up with them.
“We have a small number of defaulters, but we have methods to ensure that we follow up on clients who do not collect their drugs. We utilise village health workers, peers and Community-Based Care Counsellors,” she said.
“We have a new policy that allows patients to collect their medication from any designated clinic in the country, minimising defaults.”
The emphasis on community engagement has also been strong, with health education extended through schools, churches and community gatherings.
“Once you take these services to the people, there is a buy-in from the community,” Mr Mhlanga noted.
The settlement manager said over 85 percent of the population is made up of refugees and asylum seekers from the Great Lakes region which is the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Other refugees are from Southern Africa, West Africa and the rest of the continent.
In total the settlement is home to nationals from about 15 African countries.
“In terms of health interventions, I must highlight that provision of health is codified within our national Constitution as it is a basic human right,” added Mr Mhlanga, underscoring the commitment to upholding health care as a constitutional responsibility.
Tongogara Settlement provides unrestricted free health services to all refugees and asylum seekers, contributing to the overall well-being of its residents while community members in Maronga, Musapingura as well as Stage Three A also benefit from the services offered to the settlement.
Mr Mhlanga shared that the settlement caters to its young population with various protective measures, including immunisation, nutrition support and educational interventions, which include the enrolment of 600 learners at the Tongogara Early Childhood Development centre, over 2 000 learners at Tongogara Primary School and another 600 learners at St Michael’s Secondary School.
He said the comprehensive healthcare initiatives and community-focused strategies being implemented in the Tongogara Refugee Settlement stand as a testament to the collaborative efforts aimed at combating HIV and ensuring the health and welfare of its diverse population.
