NAC CEO, Dr Bernard Madzima, addressing Parliamentarians at the New ParliamentBuilding
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Zimbabwe’s HIV programmes should be guided by science if we are to attain the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, National AIDS Council (NAC) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Bernard Madzima has said.
Dr Madzima said that it would be most appreciated if the evidence and data gathered in local.
He said this while speaking at the Parliamentarians HIV and AIDS Sensitization Workshop organised by NAC at the New Parliament Building on Friday.
Dr Madzima was updating legislators on the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) 2023 which the country hosted, as he added that it was a great success.
Dr Madzima also said the ICASA 2023 report which is now out, spoke to several issues.
“The outcomes of ICASA 2023 spoke also to issues of leadership; that we need a strong leadership if we are going to have success in the HIV space, but also to have our programmes in Zimbabwe being led by science, being led by evidence.
“We want to ensure that we implement programmes where we have evidence and data to show us and this data will be most appreciated if its local data.
“So we want to encourage our scientists to research and also the other issue which came out was that communities should take charge of HIV programmes.
“So all this is now guiding the HIV and AIDS programme as we go towards the 2030 targets,” said Dr Madzima.
He also applauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his commitment for the country to host ICASA 2023.
“I know some of you really attended the events which took place in Victoria Falls and in Harare.
“The report for ICASA 2023 is out and I would like to say that it was a great success and I would really want to thank all Zimbabweans, starting with his Excellency, the President DR E.D. Mnangagwa for his commitment to hosting the event.
“The country showcased its excellency in various aspects including tourism and indeed it showed that Zimbabwe was open for business,” added Dr Madzima.
The ICASA 2023 report shows that 8 118 participants from 105 countries convened for the conference and women were 45 percent of that number.
Last year was the second time the country has hosted ICASA, after initially hosting it in 2015.
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 Chikwatilook 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 8th 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 2nd 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.
“I want you to believe that God exists, I want you to appreciate life from an angle of grace; that there is a certain thing called grace.”
The above were the words of 34-year-old Kensington Marufu, who was diagnosed with HIV when he was just aged 10 and the doctor who attended to his family said they only had five years to live.
Despite facing huge setbacks, including losing family members to the HIV virus, stigma, discrimination, missing out on precious school time and working at various farms to earn a living, Marufu triumphed to become a legal practitioner and author.
Marufu was one of the key speakers at a recent media workshop organised by the National AIDS Council (NAC) in Chinhoyi.
And his presentation titled, “Testimony-Positively HIV positive,” touched many attendees, including the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, who said Marufu’s testimony was “proof that living with HIV is not the end of life.”
Marufu revealed that along with his parents and brother, they tested HIV positive in the year 2000 and the doctor said they would all not live beyond five years.
“When we got tested on the 23rd of March 2000, the doctor who attended to us estimated that we were not likely to live more than five years.
“It meant that I had about five years to live. Those days there was no medication, there were no ARVs (anti retrovirals), we were just taking cotrimoxazole and when I was in Grade 5, I knew most of those pills.
“So stereotypes unfortunately got affirmed, my brother passed on in 2003, my mother passed on in 2004 but my dad went beyond five years, actually he passed on in 2006,” revealed Marufu.
For some time, Marufu went into hiding, because of the labeling that was common during that time.
“I then realized that I was actually hiding from myself and it took me years to appreciate that there are certain things in life that we can never change and we will not go forward in life until we appreciate who we are.”
He revealed that he was called names such as “Go Slow”, and when he sat for his O-Level exams, he only managed to pass one subject, English with a B; and it meant that he had to go stay with his grandmother in Shackleton, Chinhoyi.
And there life was tough; as people were judged by how they could perform hard labour.
“So we were working in farms, not that I had the strength but I had no choice, I had friends who would assist me, those were the days when I also had a tattoo, a mohawk and I was smoking marijuana because I wanted to fit in.
“I had lost faith in life, I stopped believing in myself, I stopped believing in life, I stopped believing in a lot of things, you know losing parents who loved you and appreciated you and then growing up in an environment where you are unfairly judged really affected me, so I started taking some drugs,” narrated Marufu.
He further revealed that how the HIV messages were packaged in those days also affected him as some of the phrases in use included, “AIDS kills”, “mukondombera” and “chakatikuuya chiya”, as this brought fear.
“When I was in Shackleton, things were really tough and I did not expect to live until now, but God was with me throughout the time.
“When I’m telling my story, I want you to believe that God exists, I want you to appreciate life from an angle of grace; that there is a certain thing called grace,” he said.
Kensington also revealed that in 2010 when he was now 20 years-old; he went to his late father’s bank and he was notified that he (father) had left US$1000 in his account.
He revealed that when all due processes were done, he wanted to use the money to buy a Mazda 323; but he was warned against and was advised that going back to school was the best option.
And he went back to school and rewrote his O-Levels but that also had its own challenges because of his advanced age as the name calling started again.
“Because I was very old, I was called many names like kadhara, but one thing that my mum told me before she died was that when people laugh at you, laugh with them, they will feel embarrassed.
“So when people called me kadhara, I would correct them to say no, call me mudhara because I was actually the eldest at the school.
“Then I rewrote my O-Levels in 2011 and passed eight subjects, I had 4As, 3Bs and a C,” revealed Marufu.
While he thought he would easily get a job maybe as a cop or soldier, it was not to be; as “some of the things that hindered me had something to do with my health, my age, there were a lot of things involved.”
Despite passing his O-Levels; in 2012 he was just at home, the same with 2013 and at one time he was herding some old lady’s cattle.
“The old lady would brag that her herd boy had passed Mathematics and English.
“I didn’t have any problems with that because I had passed the two subjects and I was also a herd boy; that’s life.
“In 2014, a certain guy called Kuda approached me to say if I assist you to go for A-Level, would you take the opportunity.
“I was now 24; but then there is a verse in the Bible that says; I know the plans I have for you, so because I was desperate, I accepted.
“And I started my Form 5 at St Pauls Musami; and as always, teachers would ask for our ages and then people would know.
“You would get nicknames and being at a boarding school I would share hostels, so I had my medication but then I didn’t want people to know, but it was really difficult,” he narrated.
He went on to reveal to NAC that taking medication is one of the challenges for children living with HIV who learn at boarding schools because they get to share hostels.
Despite the challenges he faced, Marufu revealed that it didn’t affect him academically as he went on to ace, first becoming a class monitor, then Deputy Headboy, before later scoring 15 point when he sat for his A-Level exams in 2015.
Marufu then enrolled into Law School and today he is a Legal Officer at a company in the capital.
Minister Jenfan Muswere receives the novel titled “Touched by Grace”, from author and lawyer, Kensington Marufu
He then wrote a book titled “Touched by Grace”, which is about his life with HIV.
He said of the book; “because I understand that there is another Kensington out there, I’m not alone like what I’m saying, there is another Kensington going through similar challenges but that Kensington does not have role models.
“Because most of the people like Kensington are in hiding, they will never expose themselves, they will hide, they will succeed but in hiding. “So that Kensington is just where he is and he doesn’t know if there is anything in life.
“So I have written a book, maybe one day that Kensington will read the story of Kensington and appreciate life; that life can change, God can make things possible.
“The title of the book is called Touched by Grace; because grace touched me. I would not have achieved this without God, because the life was actually too complicated,” he added.
And Marufu took the opportunity to hand over his book to Minister Muswere, describing it as a special moment for him, considering his journey to success.
Dr Parirenyatwa (left) and Dr Madzima during Monday’s curtain raiser press conference on ICASA
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The fight against HIV and AIDS is not yet over as there are still new infections emerging, while Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a major health issue, a health official has said.
Doctor David Parirenyatwa, president of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) official organisers of International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) revealed this on Monday during the curtain-raiser press conference of the 22nd ICASA.
The 22nd ICASA will be held in Harare from 4-9 December.
Dr Parirenyatwa also revealed that ICASA will be preceded by two highly level meetings on the 2nd of December, one will be looking at the elimination of mother to child transmission and will be spearheaded by the First Ladies within the Africa Region.
And also on the same day, there will be another meeting of Ministers of Finance to discuss issues of how finances can be raised to enable the fight against HIV, TB, Malaria and other infectious diseases.
“Just to say Zimbabwe is fully ready to receive the possible 8 000 participants who would be coming to attend this meeting here in Harare.
“And we are very clear in our minds that the fight against HIV and AIDS must continue because as our theme says, “AIDS is not yet over” , so we need to continue to fight HIV and AIDS.
“There has been apparent complacency in the fight against HIV, people are now saying well I think we have done enough for HIV but I want to remind ourselves that there are still infections that are happening especially among the youths on HIV and AIDS.
“Therefore we must continue to look at the key areas where we must fight HIV and AIDS,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
He also revealed that the invite (to attend ICASA) is for many other participants especially those that are contributing towards the fight against HIV and AIDS in their institutions.
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora who is also the ICASA 2023 vice president, in a presentation made on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze, said all was in place for the country to host the conference.
He further revealed that the programme is ready and all government systems and structures from security, banking, accommodation, transportation, health and others have been mobilised to provide the necessary support and services, before and during the conference.
“All delegates are assured that Zimbabwe remains a peaceful destination and their security will be assured.
“Our providers of accommodation services are all ready and capable to meet the various requirements of the visitors.
“Our health systems and services have also been mobilised to ensure that both visitors and locals have access to the needed services during the conference,” said Dr Mombeshora.
Turning onto the issue of Cholera which is a current issue in some parts of the country, Dr Mombeshora said, “I wish to assure you all and our visitors that the isolated outbreak is being contained and our surveillance system is exceptionally effective and has picked all cases and have been treated.”
National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima, who is also the head of the 22nd ICASA local secretariat, also reiterated that the country was prepared in terms of transportation, both ground and air and accommodation to receive the visitors.
“We have made sure that we have an efficient transport system both on the ground and in air; we have a steady inflow of airlines which are adequate to cover for our visitors and we have also mobilised ground transport services at an agreed standard fare.
“As such all designated vehicles for pick ups and drop off points will be marked.
“We have put solid packages (accommodation) for all delegates; they are advised to log onto the ICASA website,” he said.
Dr Madzima further said visitors were also encouraged to experience the prowess of Africa and its unending cultural and entertainment appeal.
He said Zimbabwe had profound and magnificent tourist destinations which include the Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe itself, the Manna Pools and various parks, some which are close to Harare, which they could also visit.
“We want to encourage our delegates to take time before and after the conference to visit these places and experience Zimbabwe’s real cultural and natural wonders,” he said.
NEWSSPACE 