Story by Aifheli Mudau
ZIMBABWE’S efforts to end AIDS by 2030 are gaining momentum, with government-led mobile health clinics improving access to HIV and sexual reproductive health services in border and remote communities.
The Second Republic, working with development partners, has intensified interventions aimed at combating HIV and AIDS through free testing, counselling and community outreach programmes.
Among the key initiatives is the deployment of mobile health clinics to underserved rural and border areas, a move that has drawn praise from foreign diplomats and development agencies following a tour of Beitbridge Border Post on Thursday.
Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration, Miss Diana Cartier said the mobile clinic programme was making a significant impact, particularly among men who are less likely to seek medical assistance at conventional health facilities.
“What is fairly new to the programme is the mobile health clinic, which visits 10 different locations for 10 days each month to provide health services directly within communities,” she said.
“We are seeing positive results, especially among the male population, who are less likely to go to medical clinics and seek the support they need.”
Miss Cartier said the programme focuses on free sexual and reproductive health services delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“I think that has been one of the programme’s greatest successes. Another success is that people are now beginning to understand the importance of sexual and reproductive health,” she added.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Zimbabwe, Mr Matthys Van Eeuwen, also commended the country’s progress towards achieving the global target of ending AIDS by 2030.
“Access to healthcare has improved with strong support from the government, and as our programme is coming to an end, we are here to hold discussions on the way forward,” he said.
“I am impressed by the strides Zimbabwe has made so far towards the 2030 target. Zimbabwe is on the right track to end AIDS by 2030 because the government has shown a lot of commitment.”
The government continues to strengthen healthcare delivery through initiatives such as the AIDS levy, construction of health facilities and expansion of outreach services targeting vulnerable communities.
