Brenna Matendere
Beneficiaries of Sally Mugabe Hospital’s social support scheme say the assistance will go a long way in cushioning them against harsh economic environment.
The social support scheme is being bankrolled by the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF).
“I live in Epworth but due to fears of stigma, I come to receive HIV services here. What I can point out as the difference being made in my life is the social support that I am getting.”
“They give us food hand outs and most importantly cash tokens to ensure that we do not miss visits to collect our medication.
“I have not seen this happening elsewhere in the places that I know. It is something that we need to applaud AHF for,” said Takura Mukumbi (not real name) aged 33 during a recent media tour supported by AHF.
Zvikomborero Moyo (not real name) echoed the same sentiments.
“There is privacy and confidentiality at this hospital and it is something that anyone living with HIV years for. The staff from nurses to the doctors are friendly and at no time have they been hostile to us people living with HIV,” he said.
The social support is aimed at complimenting other HIV services like free testing, protection and treatment.
Speaking to journalists during the tour, Dr. Steady Matokwe, the Medical Officer for Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Opportunistic Infections (OI) Clinic revealed that needy patients are being transformed at the institution.
He revealed that the HIV suppression rate among patients has since been managed to about 95 percent levels.
“On top of offering normal HIV services, we also give social support to struggling patients in the form of food assistance where we provide cooking oil, maize meal, and peanut butter. In some instances, patients are given bus fare. This is made possible through the support of partners like AHF,” he said.
Dr Matokwe pointed out that the HIV response is superb at the health institution.
“The HIV response here is very impressive. Our patients on the first, second and third line antiretroviral therapy (ART) all have a suppression rate of above 95 percent.
“We have a cohort of 4700 HIV patients. Out of these, the number of children is around 900 with the rest being adults.”
“We offer HIV prevention in terms of pre-exposure prophylaxis which are the tablets and condoms from Natpharm and AFH.
“Post-exposure prophylaxis involves HIV testing services at 10 points at the facility. We test and link the patient into care.
“We treat HIV and other opportunistic infections. We offer ARVs and non-ART medicines like antibiotics.”
“We also carry out laboratory testing for meningitis, test CD4 count, and make follow-ups with clients, PEPFAR, and other community-based organisations,” he added.
He reiterated that young women who are sexually active comprise a significant number of new HIV cases.
The doctor also expressed concern that men who are HIV-positive present late at the health facilities- setting a bad precedent.
“Elderly patients with other co-morbidities need extra care while drug resistance is on the rise for people on ART for long periods.
“There is also a need to monitor and offer adequate advice for patients transitioning from being children to adults,” he said.
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