By Staff Reporter
DESPITE significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, men in Zimbabwe are still reluctant to undergo screening and adhere to treatment.
According to statistics, Zimbabwe has made huge progress since 2006, with the number of deaths from HIV falling by 80%. However, health workers say these efforts are being hindered by a persistent reluctance among men to go for screening.
Speaking during U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont’s (pictured) visit to Marondera Provincial Hospital on Wednesday, health worker Joel Garikai from Nyameni raised concerns over men’s health behaviors, saying they were hindering their target of ending HIV by 2030.
“We have a big challenge in our community, men are still refusing to get screened for HIV. They prefer to come to the hospital at a very late stage when they are already sick and dying.
“I think this is because men usually have many sexual partners and this makes them scared to get screened.
“Some men also refuse to go on treatment once they realise they are HIV positive,” Garikai said.
The community health worker also appealed for more funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which is set to end its 20 year long funding by 2026.
“We are appealing to PEPFAR and other stakeholders to provide resources towards male targeted programs to engage them to come for screening early.
“We also want men to be active in health programs and we still have a long way to go in educating them,” Garikai added.
In the last five years, the United States has provided over $1 billion to aid Zimbabwe in its fight against HIV/AIDS.
Aids and TB Programs National Quality Improvement coordinator from the health ministry also reiterated the call for more resources.
“Government together with PEPFAR and all other stakeholders should continue putting resources towards the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Before PEPFAR came in, many people were dying at an alarming stage but through this initiative, this is now different,” Mpofu said.
Meanwhile Tremont also said the U.S was committed to support Zimbabwe in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“The U.S is extremely happy and gratified to support Zimbabwe in this fight through the provision of AntiRetroviral treatments and the provision of many health workers and a lot of health clinics and hospitals around Zimbabwe,” Tremont said.
