Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
MANICALAND Province continues to make strides in combating HIV and AIDS, while achieving notable progress over the years, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza has said.
Speaking during World AIDS Day commemorations held in Rusape last Sunday, Minister Mugadza said Manicaland boasts the third-lowest HIV prevalence in the country, trailing Harare and Mashonaland Central, with a provincial average of 9,35 percent.
“Manicaland has the third-lowest HIV prevalence after Harare and Mashonaland Central. The incidence rate has also declined significantly from 0,29 percent to the current 0,14 percent due to the hard work of Government and partners,” he said.
Minister Mugadza attributed the province’s overall progress to a robust response framework supported by Government leadership and the active involvement of various stakeholders.
He, however, said the fight is far from over as challenges persist, particularly in Makoni District, which bears the highest prevalence and incidence rates in the province.
“While progress in Manicaland is commendable, the statistics from Makoni District are a reminder of the need for sustained and targeted efforts.
“The district stands out with a prevalence rate of 11,8 percent, significantly higher than the provincial average. It also records the highest incidence rate at 0,18 percent, compared to the provincial average of 0,14 percent,” he said.
The rest of the districts perform relatively better, with Chipinge and Mutare, both having incidence rates of 0,12 percent, Mutasa has 0,10 percent, while Nyanga has 0,14 percent.
“Makoni District’s elevated prevalence and incidence rates have prompted intensified efforts to curb the epidemic. These include prevention strategies such as condom distribution, voluntary medical male circumcision, HIV testing, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Tailored programmes like DREAMS and Sista2Sista for adolescent girls and young women, as well as Brotha2Brotha for men, aim to close gaps in coverage and reach those often left behind,” he said.
Minister Mugadza also said the unique geographical position of Manicaland as a gateway to the sea via Mozambique adds complexity to the fight against HIV.
“High mobility among travellers, truck drivers, and sex workers heightens the risk of transmission. To address this, clinics catering specifically to these groups have been established. We remain vigilant, given the high volumes of people passing through the province. These interventions are crucial to reducing risk among mobile populations.
“Despite the many achievements that we have realised in our fight against HIV and AIDS, pockets of vulnerability remain. Key populations, including children, adolescent girls, young women, and marginalised groups, continue to bear the brunt of the epidemic. There is need for targeted interventions to address these disparities, and we have been doing this in Makoni District particularly and other districts in the province,” he said.
Minister Mugadza said treatment programmes in the province have fared well, with a remarkable 95 percent treatment coverage.
He also said community ART treatment and care facilitator programmes have played a pivotal role in ensuring consistent medication supply and adherence, and that such models are particularly impactful in districts like Makoni, where challenges persist.
Addressing the same gathering, National Aids Council chief executive officer, Dr Bernard Madzima said the country has achieved the 95-95-95 targets among adults, but warned against complacency.
“While we have recorded tremendous progress, new infections and AIDS-related deaths remain a stark reminder of the epidemic’s persistence. Over 15 000 new infections and 17 000 deaths were recorded in 2023 alone.
“As NAC, we have continued to integrate HIV services with those addressing tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and substance abuse as we strive to do away with new transmissions all together. Our National Trust Fund has been a cornerstone of the response, but falls short of meeting the financial burden. Moving forward, we must secure more resources to ensure we do not slide back,” he said.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora underscored the importance of maintaining momentum towards epidemic control.
“We have continued to record fewer new infections year by year, while increasing the number of people on antiretroviral therapy. These interventions are transforming lives, but we are not yet on an irreversible path to ending AIDS by 2030. The collective push to address disparities and bolster prevention, treatment, and support services is key to achieving epidemic control and ultimately ending AIDS by 2030,” he stated.
