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Ashley Phiri, ashleyphiri66@gmail.com
DEPUTY Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Bubi Member of Parliament, Simelisizwe Sibanda, has stressed the urgent need for collective action to address the ongoing HIV/Aids crisis. Speaking at the Matabeleland North World Aids Day commemorations, themed “Take the Rights Path — my health, my rights, our responsibility”, yesterday, he called for unity and collaboration among all stakeholders to make significant strides in the fight against HIV.
Sibanda noted that Zimbabwe has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections and expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, with Matabeleland North province consistently reporting lower rates of new infections. However, he highlighted that achieving the 95-95-95 targets requires additional efforts to reach the remaining five percent of the affected population. This ambitious strategy aims to ensure that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral load suppression by 2030.
“While our HIV prevention interventions have been robust and led to the identification of 95 percent of all HIV-positive people, we have to be more strategic in identifying the remaining 5 percent to ensure optimal use of resources. Complementary to the ongoing provider-initiated HIV testing, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has introduced HIV case-based surveillance to identify and track remaining pockets of HIV transmission and areas of service gaps,” he said.
Despite these advancements, Sibanda pointed to the concerning statistics indicating that Matabeleland North has an HIV prevalence rate of 14,4 percent among individuals aged 15-49, compared to the national average of 10,4 percent.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that the fight against Aids is not just a health issue but a collective responsibility that involves everyone in the community.
“It is essential that we recognise the interconnectedness of our efforts. We must work together as government, civil society, healthcare providers, and community members to ensure that HIV services reach those who need them the most,” he said.
Sibanda also applauded stakeholders who are providing services to women and children, empowering them in the fight against HIV and GBV.
“Women continue to bear the brunt of this pandemic due to gender inequalities and socio-economic vulnerabilities. I want to thank the various stakeholders who have implemented programs to tackle these issues, such as the promotion of female condoms, the Sista2Sista and DREAMS initiatives, and gender-transformative models like SASA! These initiatives aim to empower women and young girls to access HIV prevention services and negotiate safer sexual practices,” he said.
Sibanda also stressed the importance of male engagement in addressing these challenges.
“We cannot leave men behind; their involvement is critical for both their health and the support of women and children. Programmes like Male Engagement and Brotha2Brotha are designed to encourage men to take an active role in health initiatives,” he said.
The Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV and Aids (ZNNP+) provincial chairperson, Vhangani Ndou, presenting his solidarity speech, applauded the Government for the 13 percent allocation to health in the national budget but called for the 15 percent minimum set by the Abuja Declaration. He said sustainable funding is essential to guarantee access to HIV and Tuberculosis care and support in line with the HIV sustainability roadmap, which the organisation wholly supports.
Additionally, at the event, organisations like Musasa Project and Padare provided invaluable counselling services focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and HIV for both men and women. These services aimed to create a supportive environment where individuals could openly discuss their experiences and seek assistance without fear of stigma. Free HIV tests were also offered, promoting a community dialogue about the intersection of GBV and HIV and reinforcing the notion that addressing these issues requires a united front.
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