By Dorcas Rumano

Men should constantly check on their health status and that of their families so as to seek early treatment of diseases, a senior Government official has said.

Speaking at the Men’s Conference which was organized by the National Aids Council (NAC) in Harare yesterday, minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo challenged men to improve not only their health seeking behaviour but that of their families too as NAC intensifies its vision to end AIDS by 2030 through closing the gap of new HIV infections.

He said in regards to health check-ups, fewer men as compared to women were forthcoming. Dr Moyo went on to say 1.2million people are on HIV/Aids treatment and 90% of all people should be aware of their health status by 2020. He also highlighted that 99% of people with HIV should be receiving their treatment by 2020.

The Health minister commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his engagement and re-engagement efforts which he said had brought health equipment such as infant incubators, resuscitation equipment and other various types of medication from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gibson Mhlanga said men’s presence at that conference is important to government and their partners in response to the right against HIV/Aids. He encouraged men to go for HIV/Aids testing and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) as well as engaging in voluntary prevention of those infectious diseases through circumcision and use of condoms.

The event was graced by Ambassador of Child and Health Care, the First Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa. The event was attended by men and women from various organizations including Msasa project, Padare and Zimbabwe Aids Network among others.