Story by Grace Sibanda
Zimbabwe continues to record positive strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS, thanks to the capacitation of health facilities across the country with modern equipment.
Hospitals and clinics throughout the country have received modern molecular machines which are faster and more efficient in testing HIV blood samples, contributing tremendously to the fight against HIV and AIDS.
One of Bulawayo`s referral facilities, Mpilo Central Hospital, boasts of the new machinery, courtesy of government and its partners.
Mpilo Central Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga told the ZBC News, “We received this machinery from the Ministry and it has made the testing process very efficient as we now take just 8 hours to test blood samples such that our patients can receive treatment faster.”
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has revealed that the newly acquired machines are not only effective in the fight against HIV, but can be used to test samples for other blood-related diseases, rendering Zimbabwe`s health system efficient in fighting blood-related diseases.
Director Laboratory Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Raiva Simbi said the machines have come in handy.
“These monster machines have eased the testing process and we are confident that we are prepared for the fight against Mpox, HPV and other blood-related diseases as these machines have come at an opportune time that enables us to reach our targets by 2030,” he said.
Speaking after a tour of the equipped laboratory at Mpilo Hospital this Wednesday, United States of America’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Pamela Trent reiterated her government`s commitment towards assisting Zimbabwe reach the 95-95-95 HIV targets.
“Massive strides have been recorded from the cooperation between our two governments and we are proud to say that we are winning the fight again HIV. We have noted a reduction in cases aswell as time that is being taken in terms of handling HIV-related diseases. Our continued collaboration will go a long way in reaching the 95-95-95 goals by 2030,” she said.
The molecular machines have been decentralised ensuring that every hospital and clinic has one to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of HIV and other illnesses country-wide.
