Dr Douglas Mombeshora

Media has critical role in the HIV response

…as NewsSpace writer wins NAC award

Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora (far left) congratulates NewsSpace Reporter, Munyaradzi Doma, while NAC CEO Dr Bernard Madzima (second from right) and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Country Program Manager, Dr Enerst Chikwati **look on**

BY NEWSSPACE REPORTER

The media has a critical role in the HIV response, as it has the important mandate of giving the public the correct information, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.

Minister Mombeshora revealed this on Wednesday at the 8^th National AIDS Council Media Awards Prize Giving Ceremony which was held in Harare.

And at the awards ceremony whose purpose is to celebrate journalists who consistently and accurately report on HIV and AIDS issues; NewsSpace Reporter, Munyaradzi Doma was awarded 2^nd Position in the Online Category.

Minister Mombeshora revealed that the awards have now “become the most consistent and prestigious recognition of media excellence in reporting and covering HIV and related diseases.”

He added: “Zimbabwe adopted the multi-sectoral approach to HIV, which has enabled various sectors to participate and contribute to national efforts in taming the pandemic.

“The media has therefore always been part of the response to HIV from when the virus was first identified.

“It was the media that first raised awareness and educated people about HIV. Even though initial reports were fear inducing, they did what they were expected to achieve and our people became aware of HIV.”

Dr Mombeshora further revealed that, “the media remains a critical enabler of development and in particular a healthy nation.

“We need vibrant media that purvey correct information to the public for better health outcomes.

“I am very pleased that the National AIDS Council took this bold step to introduce the awards, which will without a doubt, create a healthy competition, which in turn will result in improved coverage in terms of both quality and quantity of coverage.

“I have been informed that coverage of HIV and health reporting in general have improved since the introduction of these awards eight years ago.”

Dr Mombeshora also revealed that the country had achieved tremendous successes in the response to HIV as we stand at a critical juncture towards epidemic control and sustaining it.

He also revealed that latest global evidence has indicated that Zimbabwe achieved the highest HIV decline between 2010 and 2023 than any other country.

“We have also achieved the 95-95-95 targets and our people living with HIV are living longer improved lives.

“These achievements must be sustained. You will agree with me it’s not an easy task as we continue to be diverted by various other health challenges, including emergences such as COVID-19 and M-pox.

“These emergencies are providing us with critical lessons going forward, particularly the need to build a robust and broad-based health system that emphasizes universal health coverage and anchored on a sustainable primary health care system.

“An all-inclusive public funded health insurance is therefore imperative as we strengthen our health system to adequately respond to regular conditions and emergencies.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this shows that HIV does not occur in isolation as there are several social, economic and health factors that affect it. Already we are faced with rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), most of which are associated with HIV, especially cervical cancer.

“We therefore need to scale up interventions in this regard, keeping our people informed and how they can prevent the NCDs as well as creating pathways to care,” said Dr Mombeshora.

**Minister Mombeshora (front row, second from left) and other dignitaries, pose for picture with the winners**

Minister Mombeshora said the media hence a critical role of informing the people as well as highlighting both successes and deficiencies of our response.

“Robust policies and programmes result from broad-based engagement that is influenced by awareness and access to information.

“There are areas in our response in which such vibrant engagement is required to address attendant gaps.

“While our 95-95-95 coverage is commendable among adults, we are still lagging behind among children.

“We are also witnessing more cases of HIV among adolescent girls and young women and key populations.

“We therefore need multi-stakeholder engagement to identify and address challenges that cause bottle necks in these areas.

“We are counting on the media to report such gaps and amplify voices of those affected so that together we can find lasting solutions to the challenges.

“While there are thousands of reporters doing the same work, there are some among them who are going an extra mile.

“They do it better because they are driven by a passion for quality and for social change, towards a better society.

“They invest that passion together with time and creativity to produce socially impacting news and feature articles. Today, ladies and gentlemen, is about celebrating those who go an extra mile – who do not wait for news but seek news and creatively report it to create social change,” he added.

He applauded all editors and journalists who are dedicated to keep the nation informed about HIV and AIDS and all other health issues surrounding the people.

**NewsSpace Reporter, Munyaradzi Doma poses with his certificate and shield**

In his welcome remarks at the awards, NAC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bernard Madzima said the media awards are predicated on the need to keep the HIV story alive in the face of competing stories from other sectors and the general belief that HIV is no longer an interesting topic given our progress in preventing new cases and scaling up Anti-Retroviral Therapy coverage.

“We therefore started the media awards to revitalise coverage and promote excellence among reporters and media houses.

“Apart from the ordinary competition from economic, political and societal stories, the HIV story has faced competition from emerging epidemics such as COVID-19 and Mpox and non-communicable diseases.

“We do not seek to create competition for media coverage between HIV and other health issues but to promote integrated health reporting cognizant of the link between HIV and these issues.

“These awards are an addition to the already functional partnership that we have with the media. Our partnership includes taking both editors and journalists on media tours to some hard-to-reach communities to facilitate coverage of key interventions and media workshops.

“We also regularly support top winners of these awards to attend various international HIV conference, resources permitting,” he said.

He added that for them, the media awards are more than just about giving prizes, as they are also about making an impact in people’s lives.

“Well-wishers have responded to some of the stories journalists have covered during NAC media tours and workshops and paid school fees for a number of girls in various Sista2Sista Clubs.

“The latest in this case is a girl based in Hurungwe who received a scholarship for her university education, financed by a UK based well-wisher.

“Following stories on SASA, which is a community mobilization approach to prevent violence against women, three perpetrators of gender-based violence came forward and openly spoke to the community leaders in Shamva about how radio stories on gender-based violence in their area had led them to change their ways.

“We also have a case of one girl from a Sista2Sista Club who has been invited for on the job training at a media house to develop her interest as a journalist, after field interviews by reporters in Mhangura.

“I would also like to applaud some journalists, who I won’t mention but they pooled resources to pay school fees for needy and vulnerable girls identified during a media tour,” added Dr Madzima.

He also revealed that in line with the rules of the awards, winners were selected through media monitoring so as not to promote prize driven reporters.

“Our awards are anchored on recognition of passion, consistency and correctness.”

Journalists were awarded in the Online, Print, Electronic and Most Promising Categories, while others got certificates of appreciation for consistent reporting on HIV and AIDS issues.

Government on m-pox high alert

**Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

While the country currently has no case of m-pox, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said they are monitoring the evolving situation following an outbreak in neighbouring South Africa and other countries.

Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora further revealed in a statement that, “the ministry has also placed its structures on high alert and is conducting preparedness and response activities.

“The public is urged to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility as soon as possible or use our toll free line: 2019. Or the Ministry of Health and Child Care Public Relations Department, +263 772 945032.”

Dr Mombeshora added that there was an on-going outbreak of m-pox virus in non-endemic countries including South Africa.

“M-Pox (formerly called Monkey Pox) is a rare viral infection that is endemic to Central and West Africa.

“It spreads through close contact with people, animals or material infected with the virus.

“Symptoms of M-Pox can include, fever, rash (that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, or other parts of the body especially hands, feet and chest, headache, muscle ache and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, respiratory symptoms include (e.g sore throat, nasal congestion or cough,” said Minister Mombeshora.

The minister further added that, “m-pox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox and symptoms are similar but it is not related to chickenpox.

“The illness usually last 2-4 weeks. Currently, there is no proven, safe treatment for monkey pox virus infection. “However, the disease can be prevented through: avoiding contact with animals that could harbour the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where m-pox occurs).

“Avoiding contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with a sick animal or person.

“Isolating infected patients from others who could be at risk for infection.

“Practicing good hand hygiene after contact with infected animals or humans such as washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

“Using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients.”

Zim hopes to benefit from US$600 million cervical cancer fund

**Dr Bente Mikkelsen and Dr Douglas Mombeshora-pic WHO Zimbabwe**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Zimbabwe is hoping to be one of the countries set to benefit from US$600 million which global health funders have pledged for the elimination of cervical cancer.

The money is meant for increasing vaccination, screening and treatment of the disease, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports is the fourth most common cancer in women globally.

WHO further reports that there were around 660 000 new cases and around 350 000 deaths in 2022 owing to the disease.

During her recent visit to Zimbabwe along with her colleagues from WHO headquarters, Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director NCD (at WHO Headquarters), said if everything is put in place, the country could benefit from this cervical cancer initiative.

“So we are very happy, this is the first time since the cervical cancer elimination initiative was launched by Dr Tedros (Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General), that many partners come together. So until now, the funding partners were only focusing on more or less on the vaccination.

“So now everybody realised that we have to do at least two things at the same time, we need to vaccinate, we need to screen and treat the early stages and of course we need to offer treatment.

“So I’m very happy this is a good sign, it’s a game changer but as I have said this is not money we can call on just like this, we need to present cases, we need to work with the partners, we need to make World Bank, the Global Fund, the Gates, all these partners, USAID, coming together and they have realized this commitment.

“So this is why I’m here as well, I was invited by the Honourable Minister (Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora), we were both in Colombia (at the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum), so we are trying to make this happen in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mikkelsen.

Dr Mikkelsen added that the pledged US$600 million is a lot of money which would go a long way in fighting cervical cancer but countries had to apply for it.

“It’s not money that we can just grab, we need to apply for it, we need to show what we need, so that we have a shopping list of what we need and this is also something that we would want to help you. There are a lot of partners, and I think we can support Zimbabwe to get use on some of these new pledges but also maybe to make the partnerships more efficient,” she added.

Dr Mombeshora said getting global health funders make such a pledge would go a long way in eliminating cervical cancer, as he also revealed that no county could work alone on this fight, hence there is need to have partners.

“We work with partners, you can’t work in isolation, like the doctor (Dr Mikkelsen) said, we met in Colombia; and during that meeting, we came up with this issue of saying we need support and they said for us to be able to support you, we want to see, what is on the ground.

“That’s why we are also taking them to the rural area where the screening starts and the difficulties that are met there, then we can map a way forward.

“Like she said, we will come up with a document from this visit and we will be meeting again in Geneva in three weeks’ time and maybe come up with a concrete arrangement to say how do we move forward, what kind of support can we get from them,” said Dr Mombeshora.

He added, “she mentioned now that there is a fund that has been established of US$600 million, we want to tap into that, so that we can also get equipment, get training so that we strengthen our cervical cancer elimination plan, so that’s the way we are heading to.”

It is reported that while cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, Zimbabwe continues to lose 2 000 women to the disease every, hence there is need for more consented efforts to fight this disease.

And it is also estimated that 3 000 new cases are diagnosed each year as the country is ranked fourth globally and in the region.

Zimbabwe introduced a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 2018, achieving an impressive coverage rate of 89,7 percent in the first year of introduction.

The country also established screening programmes for early detection of cervical cancer, though the screening coverage remains low, with only 20 percent of the population accessing screening services as of 2019.

It is also reported that urban areas exhibited a screening rate as low as 3 percent, while rural areas saw slightly higher rates of 10 percent.

Screening programmes are available with over 200 sites conducting Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIAC) and 60 sites performing HPV tests for early detection.

No woman should die whilst giving birth!

**Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas** **Mombeshora (second from left) receives the 2024 State of the World Population Report from UNFPA Zimbabwe Representative Miranda Tabifor-pic NYPNS**
**RHHA** **Media**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Whilst Zimbabwe has managed to reduce maternal mortality from 651 in 2010 to 362 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2022, the figure is still too high as no woman should die whilst giving birth.

The call was made by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora as he added reduction of maternal mortality was one of the county’s International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) commitments.

Minister Mombeshora was speaking on Monday in Harare, during the High Level Meeting on the ICPD Programme of Action (PoA) and the launch of the 2024 State of the World Population Report.

The meeting was held almost 30 years after the landmark ICPD conference in Cairo, Egypt, which was set out to achieve the world in which people lived longer, healthier lives and have more rights and choices than ever before.

At the inaugural ICPD conference, 179 member states including Zimbabwe, agreed to the visionary PoA, which recognised sexual and reproductive health, women’s empowerment and gender equality as cornerstones of sustainable development.

Minister Mombeshora said the High Level Meeting was meant “to take stock, to celebrate our achievements and reflect business of ICPD.”

“Today we stand proud as Zimbabweans, as we have been able to score some key achievements on our ICPD commitments. Allow me to recap a few of the major achievements.

“Zimbabwe reduced maternal mortality from 651 to 2010 to 362 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2022. “In simple terms, we have reduced the number of women dying due to pregnancy child birth related issues from about seven to four per day, but this is still too high, no woman should die whilst giving birth.

“This is a major achievement and is a result of government and its partners investing in strengthening the health system is Zimbabwe. It is also an affirmation to our commitment to ensure that no women should die whilst giving life. We need to continue in this positive trajectory,” said Minister Mombeshora.

He added, “the government has stepped up budget allocation for family planning as part of increased financing for contraceptives using our domestic resources; we have invested US$3 million in the last two years and have already started procurement of contraceptives for this year.

“As a result of government’s commitment and investment, Zimbabwe became the first country under the UNFPA supplies global partnership to receive funding to complement government’s investment in family planning as recognition of the investment done by the government.

“We will continue using national budget processes, increasing domestic financing and exploring new and innovative financing mechanism to ensure full effective and accelerated implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action.”

He also revealed that the government is currently working on a national health insurance scheme which will ensure reduce catastrophic health spending by our people.

Minister Mombeshora further revealed that despite other successes, there was still a lot that needs to be done, saying, “we still have some unfinished business.”

“As you may be aware, we currently grappling with the problem of high adolescent pregnancies. More needs to be done for the adolescent and youths, who constitute the bulk of our population so that we are also able to harness the demographic dividends.”

He said it was crucial to ensure investment in education, health, social development and promoting youth engagement in relevant development and economic issues.

Minister Mombeshora further revealed that the ICPD sits hand in glove with many of the country’s national strategies, such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the National Health Strategy.

And he said the ICPD “calls for women’s reproductive health and rights to take centre stage in national and global development efforts. It also recognizes that reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined and that both are necessary for the advancement of our society.”

To succeed, Minister Mombeshora said there was need for a multi-sectorial approach, putting all hands on deck as there has been some challenges like the natural disasters like Cyclone Idai, Covid-19, currently cholera outbreak and El Nino induced drought.

“We therefore need to seriously work on strengthening our emergency preparedness and response.” The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe representative Miranda Tabifor said more investment in Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) should take centre stage in the national and global development efforts.

Tabifor also reiterated that ICPD recognizes that reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined and both are necessary for the advancement of society.

Meanwhile the 2024 State of the World Population Report was also launched on during the meeting as the government pledged its commitment to end inequalities in accessing SRHR services and information to ensure no one is left behind.

Multisectoral approach needed to tackle AMR

**Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Vangelis Haritatos-pic WHO Zimbabwe**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Antimicrobial Resistance is a complex phenomenon which requires the support of several sectors as it (AMR) is an emerging health threat, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Masuka has revealed.

Minister Masuka revealed this on Monday in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy Vangelis Haritatos, during the official opening of the World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week Campaign for Africa at a local hotel.

He said that AMR is a complex issue hence all hands should be on deck as it demands immediate attention and united action.

“It is a one health issue, encompassing the interconnectedness of human health, environmental health, and agricultural practices.

“We must recognize that AMR affects not only human health but also the health and well-being of our animals and the environment we share.

“To effectively combat AMR, we need a concerted effort from various sectors, with human health, environmental conservation, and agriculture leading the charge.

“We must work together, across disciplines and boundaries, to develop strategies that promote responsible antibiotic use, strengthen infection prevention and control measures, and preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving medications,” said Dr Masuka.

He added; “the fight against AMR requires sustained commitment and collaborative action. It is not a battle that can be fought by a single sector or country alone.

“We must engage stakeholders from the human health sector, veterinary medicine, agriculture, environmental conservation, and beyond.

“By working together, sharing knowledge and resources, and adopting a One Health approach, we can make significant progress in preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics and safeguarding the health of our people, animals, and environment.

“Together with our partners in the health and environmental sectors, we will strive to create a future where antibiotics remain effective tools in treating diseases, both in humans and animals.”

Speaking at the same event, Minister of Health and Child Care, Doctor Douglas Mombeshora said, “we must not forget that the Antimicrobial Resistance response requires a “whole of society approach,” hence all of us are called to play our part in the prevention and control of Antimicrobial Resistance.”

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe, Mr Edward Kallon in his speech which was read by Francesca Erdelmann, revealed there was need for a multisectoral approach so as to take urgent action to address this global health and development threat.

“This year’s theme, “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together,” underscores the need for urgent multisectoral action under the One Health Approach to safeguard the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines,” added Dr Kallon.

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations said they are committed to continue working closely with multi-sectoral partners under a One Health approach to deal with AMR.

“It is our core belief that by working together and each playing our part, we can slow AMR, and build moreefficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, “a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.”

And WHO African Region Assistant Regional Director Dr Lindiwe Makubalo said the “responsibility demands that we take concrete actions and demonstrate unwavering commitment.

“We need to strengthen our One Health collaborative approach to prevent the rise and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as much as possible. While the task is enormous, we can overcome it, together.”

Zimbabwe with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), in partnership with African Union agencies, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU IBAR) is hosting the continental celebration of the World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week which started on the 18th to the 24th November.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

Several initiatives have been put in place in order to tackle AMR as millions continue to die; with statistics showing that in 2019 alone, 4,9 million people died globally as a result of drug-resistant infections.

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Zim ready to host ICASA

**Health and Child Care Minister**
**Dr Douglas Mombeshora**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

All systems are in place for the country to host the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa at the Harare International Conference Centre, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.

Minister Mombeshora revealed that all was being arranged to make sure that the conference which will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December, lives up to its billing.

“All our systems from security, banking, accommodation, transportation, health and others have been checked and tested and I want to assure our visitors that Zimbabwe is ready.

“The security of delegates is guaranteed both in Harare and elsewhere as they go out about attending the conference and enjoy our rich heritage across the world acclaimed tourist destinations.

“We have also strengthened the health delivery and surveillance systems to ensure that our visitors and locals have access to needed health services,” said Dr Mombeshora.

He also allayed cholera fears, saying the isolated cases were being dealt with adequately, as he further praised the country’s surveillance system saying it is exceptionally effective and has picked all cases which have all since been treated.

Dr Mombeshora also revealed that it was an honour that the country will be hosting two high level meetings as a precursor to ICASA.

“We are very excited as government about the two high level meetings which we are going to host on the 2nd of December in Victoria Falls as part of the build up towards ICASA.

“We will have a meeting of African First Ladies to be hosted by our First Lady Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.

“This meeting will focus on addressing prevention of mother to child transmission and elimination of newborn infections in Africa.

“On the same day, we will also host the African Ministers of Finance who will attend a meeting focusing on addressing domestic financing of the HIV response to reach the UN 2025 Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.

“As you are aware, Zimbabwe has already been praised globally for the home grown domestic funding initiative in the form of the National AIDS Trust Fund popularly known AIDS Levy.

“We are therefore very proud to be hosting this meeting to share our best practice while learning from the rest of the continent on other initiatives that all together can increase Africa’s domestic financing of HIV and other epidemics without totally relying on external funds.

“These two meetings will come just a day after Zimbabwe will have commemorated the World AIDS Day which we will have in Victoria Falls at Chinotimba Stadium.

“ICASA delegates who will already be in the country and are able to finance their trips to Victoria Falls are invited to attend the World AIDS Day commemorations which are going to be held under the theme, “Let Communities Lead,” he added.

He further reiterated all transport logistics and accommodation had been arranged to ensure that the conference goes on without any challenges.

The conference will be running under the theme “AIDS is not over: address inequalities, accelerate inclusion and innovation.”