Staff Reporter
Health experts have welcomed Government’s effort towards the suppression of HIV ahead of many regional countries with the efficient medication utilized under the 2nd Republic reducing the number of AIDS patients in Zimbabwe.
Writing on his X handle, Dr. Misheck Ruwende said that Zimbabwe had managed to reduce HIV from spreading with great effect compared to other countries in the region.
“One great achievement Zimbabwe has managed to do is to suppress HIV aggressively than any other regional country and their HIV patients take their medication so well, that it’s now uncommon to find AIDS patients.
“The Second Republic has been able to utilize funding of HIV prevention packages by international partners which has led to Zimbabwe being able to combat the spread of the epidemic,” said Dr Ruwende.
Another health expert, Dr Tatenda Edward Manzunzu, an Associate Researcher with the University of Zimbabwe’s Clinical Trials Research Centre and a Health Practitioner at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, told this publication that health workers, nurses and doctors have utilised new drugs such as Islatarvir (MK-8591) to slow the spread of the HIV epidemic.
“Oral PrEP, consisting of Tenofovir disoproxil and Emtrictabine, has become increasingly available in Zimbabwe to the public to combat high levels of HIV transmission. More choices in antiretroviral prevention products have been made available, especially for people who have difficulties in taking pills every day. The Government in collaboration with different health agents has managed to reduce HIV from spreading by adopting effective prevention methods which are modern and acceptable internationally.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has reduced the spread of HIV by a success rate of 85%. Today there are different methods used to combat the spread of the virus such as contraception and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). For women, the Government has made available the Dapivirine which can be inserted into the reproductive organ of the woman. There is also an injectable Dolutegravir, another HIV prevention drug and the Ruvada drug which is PrEP taken daily which aids in protecting one from HIV infection,” Dr Manzunzu said.
Meanwhile, in further achieving Vision 2030 agenda, while speaking at the commissioning of Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment, medical equipment and vehicles at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals last year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Government was on track to further boost the health sector to suit modern-day needs.
