Matabeleland Provinces Top Zimbabwe's HIV Prevalen...

Matabeleland Provinces Top Zimbabwe's HIV Prevalence List

Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Chief Reporter

Zimbabwe's HIV prevalence rate remains a pressing concern, with the latest estimates revealing that Matabeleland Province has the highest rate at 17.30%, followed closely by Matabeleland North at 14.50%.

The two provinces top the list, with the other provinces ranging from 9.40% to 11.70%, sparking calls for urgent action to address the disparity.

This data is contained in a Ministerial Statement presented in Parliament by Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora, last week Wednesday.

Bulawayo has a prevalence rate of 11.70%, Midlands 10.90%, Harare 10.90%, Mashonaland Central 10.40%, Mashonaland East 9.90% and Mashonaland West 9.60%.

Masvingo also recorded 9.60%, followed by Manicaland's 9.40%.

When questioned about the high prevalence rate in Matabeleland Provinces, Mombeshora stated, "We have to get reports from those provinces through the Provincial Medical Directors. They give us their annual reports, which then explain where they had these deficiencies so that corrective measures can be taken."

Mushoriwa expressed concern over the high rates in Matabeleland Provinces, urging the government to take special action to bring the rates down to the average rate prevailing in other provinces.

The Minister assured that the Ministry and the National Aids Council are working together to develop a sustainability roadmap to ensure the continuation of HIV programs beyond donor funding.

"The National Aids Council through the National Aids Trust Fund which was created by the government has done quite a lot and supported the programmes to bring the prevalence down to those figures that we are talking about," the Minister noted.

A concern was raised over the reduced visibility of the National Aids Council and urged the government to revitalise their efforts to combat the HIV scourge.

The Minister assured that the National Aids Council is still active and continues to support the Ministry in procuring drugs and commodities.

"They have a certain percentage that they also help put the Ministry in terms of procurement of drugs, this is why we say we are moving towards self-sustenance rather than depending on donors."

He highlighted that the country has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence rate and is moving towards self-sustenance.

He attributed this success to the efforts of the Ministry, National Aids Council, and partners like the Global Fund and PEPFAR.

He noted, "I think yes, you can say it is frightening to talk of 10%, but we came from a figure which was almost 30% at the peak of this scourge. So, when we look at where we are coming from - almost 30%, now down to figures like 8 to 14%, we have done a lot to come down.”