By Admore Mbonda in Chipinge
Chipinge, Manicaland—HIV remains a critical challenge in Chipinge District, where the prevalence rate stands at 7.9%, according to 2024 estimates from the National Aids Council (NAC).
The district is home to approximately 19,725 individuals living with HIV, with an incidence rate of 0.12%.
NAC’s Chipinge coordinator, Doreen Fadzai Jambaya, highlighted the collective efforts of stakeholders—including NGOs, community organizations, the business community, and uniformed forces—to curb the epidemic.
Key initiatives include the DREAMS program, which empowers young women, legal support through the Legal Resources Foundation, shelter services provided by Simukai, and education-focused interventions by CAMFED.
Several transmission hotspots have been identified, such as Checheche, Chipinge Town, Paidamoyo, and Buwe. Areas like Chinyamukwapa and Tongogara are also grappling with high STI rates.
Contributing factors include transactional sex, substance abuse, and a concerning rise in child marriages, particularly in remote regions like Chinyamukwapa, complicating efforts to reach affected communities.
NAC envisions a Zimbabwe free of new HIV infections by 2030, targeting universal sexual health service access and ensuring 95% of people know their HIV status.
Chipinge’s 38 wards, served by 52 health facilities, face a tough battle due to the district’s predominantly rural landscape and accessibility issues.
The latest findings were shared during a media tour organized by NAC in preparation for World AIDS Day, set to be commemorated in Rusape.
As Chipinge rallies for change, community involvement and sustained support are vital to achieving a healthier, HIV-free future.
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