Story by Providence Maraneli
THE Shangani community has lauded the National AIDS Council (NAC) for implementing the Community Art refilling group (CARG) and Out of Community ART distribution (OFCARD) programmes, to enhance the fight against HIV and AIDS in the area.
The programme is where communities access their antiretroviral drugs through a local focal person.
“This programme has helped us a lot, you know issues of health are critical and the clinic is far, so with this programme, we have managed to fight defaulting,” CARG beneficiary, Gogo Mirriam Ndlovu said.
“This program has made it easy for us, even when you don’t want to be seen lining at clinics they can come here at night,” a beneficiary said.
“The clinic is far and with this, the fight against HIV and AIDS has been aided,” another beneficiary said.
The programme encompasses ART delivery models for stable clients who are willing to disclose their HIV status to each other and form a group.
“I lead a group of people who know their statuses, it has made it easier for us to fight the HIV and AIDs scourge. This has also made it easier to fight defaulting, but the most important thing we were taught is confidentiality,” Nsango Village, Community Art refuel group leader, Mr Gerald Nzimande said.
“This programme is in line with ending AIDS by 2030. It has reduced stigmatisation and discrimination as people are now fully aware of what is needed to end AIDS,” Out of Community ART distribution leader, Mr Stanely Phiri said.
The CARG and OFCARD programmes are part of the National AIDS Council’s wide array of strategies to fight HIV and AIDS prevalence and Incidence in Matabeleland South.
“I would say this programme has been a success in our district. Most of these villagers were reluctant to visit the clinic for different reasons but this programme is filling that gap. It is community-driven and it has made our commitment to end AIDS a lot easier,” Insiza District AIDS Council officer, Mr Mpilo Maboyi said.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic remains a challenge in Matabeleland South, with over 17% prevalence rate and the NAC is working with traditional leaders to implement the “Not in my village” campaign to fight the scourge.
