By Brenna Matendere
The National AIDS Council (NAC) is rolling out workplace interventions in Bindura, targeting mines and other key sites in a bid to reduce the HIV burden.
Bindura District AIDS Coordinator (DAC), Agripa Karuru, said the programmes are being held at Freda Rebecca Mine and the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), among other locations.
“We use break times, such as lunch hours, to reach out to mines, offering services for both HIV prevention and treatment. This helps significantly in pushing down the spread of the virus,” he said.
Karuru also revealed that Bindura currently has the highest HIV prevalence in Mashonaland Central province, standing at 8.4 percent.
“We have identified hotspot areas and are now frequently taking services to these locations to reduce the overall HIV burden in Bindura,” he added.
The district is also rolling out measures to combat the spread of HIV, including the management, coordination, and implementation of programmes aimed at reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS.
NAC is leading coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of various HIV and AIDS responses. Under the law, the council’s functions and powers include:
Developing strategies and policies to respond to HIV and AIDS, mitigating the epidemic’s effects, and promoting coordination of those strategies.
Mobilising and managing resources to support the national HIV and AIDS response.
Enhancing the capacity of community sectors to respond to and coordinate efforts against the epidemic.
Encouraging the provision of treatment and care facilities for people living with HIV and their dependents.
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of national strategies and policies.
Promoting and coordinating HIV and AIDS research, ensuring effective dissemination and application of findings.
Disseminating information on all aspects of HIV and AIDS to stakeholders.
NAC strives to be proactive rather than reactive, continuously seeking new approaches to benefit the national HIV and AIDS response. The council is committed to a multi-sectoral approach, involving all stakeholders in addressing gender issues and supporting vulnerable groups.
In Bindura, NAC is promoting and supporting the intensification of community-based HIV and AIDS interventions.
The appraisal and mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS issues into all social and development programmes in the district is at an advanced stage.
NAC is also facilitating the sharing of experiences and lessons learned among stakeholders within and outside the district.
Zimbabwe has, overall, been experiencing significant declines in both HIV prevalence and incidence over recent years.
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