The Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID) joins the rest of the world on this 1st day of December, in commemorating Worlds AIDS Day running under the theme “Equalize”. We support the call to action for all to contribute to the design and implementation of practical actions addressing inequalities associated with HIV and AIDS. As a key partner of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Care’s HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs, OPHID is committed to supporting national efforts to achieve global treatment targets including:
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95% of People Living with HIV knowing their HIV status.
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95% of people diagnosed with HIV infection are receiving sustained Antiretroviral Therapy
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95% of people receiving antiretroviral therapy are virally suppressed.
Unfortunately, ongoing inequalities inherent in our communities and societies create barriers which limit people’s access to quality HIV and TB prevention services and care. These include ongoing stigma and discrimination of PLHIV, limited services for people with special needs and key populations, and socio-economic challenges facing communities. In addition, despite years of advocacy, gender inequality continues to contribute to the spread of HIV. The social constructs supporting these inequalities increase infection rates and reduce the ability of those ‘most-a- risk’ to access information, adopt prevention measures and access treatment and care when needed.
To achieve the global targets, we need to examine closely the evidence and re-imagine our health services to ensure that everyone has access to quality health care services that meets their needs. As OPHID, we are working with implementing partners, health care providers and the communities they serve to strengthen quality, client-focused health services. In collaboration with the MOHCC, we use our data systems to optimise our strategies and adopt approaches that can disrupt long-standing social inequalities. Between October 2021 - September 2022, OPHID supported with HIV Testing and Treatment services to 72759 children under the age of 19 and 1808 were linked to care through the test and treat approach. The program also expanded its approach to offer services through Differentiated Services Delivery Model inclusive of Community Art Refill Group (CARGs), Family Refill (FR), Fast Track (FT), Adolescent Clinic which recorded 68656 client’s enrollment.
OPHID’s focus on linkages to care for PLHIV
OPHID remains concerned about the many HIV-infected persons, who remain undiagnosed, and those tested positive who are not linked to HIV clinical care after diagnosis. With financial support from PEPFAR, through USAID Zimbabwe, the Target Accelerate and Sustain Quality Care Program (TASQC) Consortium partners (OPHID, JF Kapnek and ZNNP+) are:
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Supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) to map and close gaps in reaching HIV positive individuals through targeted testing services.
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Assist the MOHCC in strengthening the referral systems at healthcare facilities to link those testing positive to treatment and care.
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Strengthening linkages between healthcare facilities and communities to enable tracking and tracing clients who interrupt treatment and bringing them back to care through Community Outreach Agents.
On this World AIDS Day, OPHID reiterates its commitment to ensure that all people living with HIV are tested and linked to care as soon as possible and are retained in the continuum of care, to allow them to gain the full benefits of anti-retroviral treatment.
For more information about OPHID and TASQC Program contact:
Sara Page-Mtongwiza, Chief of Party. Email: spage@ophid.co.zw; Telephone: (0242) -252772/700607
Dr Pugie Chimberengwa, Technical Director. Email: pchimberengwa@ophid.co.zw; Telephone: (0242) -252772/700607
Tavonga Chikwaya, Policy Advocacy & Communications Manager. Email: tchikwaya@ophid.co.zw; Telephone: (0242) -252772/700607