News / Health
Cases of HIV positive pregnant women on the rise in Victoria Falls
09 Feb 2012 at 23:35hrs | Views
A total of 70 pregnant women out of 380 that were booked at Chinotimba Clinic in Victoria Falls last year tested positive to the HIV virus, the Chronicle reported.
This was revealed by the clinic's sister-in-charge, Sr Sheila Rudzuna, during a donation of a generator by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu on Monday.
Sr Rudzuna said cases involving HIV and Aids were high at the municipal clinic, which is one of the seven health institutions in the resort town serving a population of about 350 000 residents.
"Out of 380 pregnant women who booked here, 70 tested positive to the HIV virus. As part of our efforts in fighting HIV and Aids, we are also targeting the under-fives whom we are testing for HIV," she said.
Sr Rudzuna said the clinic recorded 830 cases of malaria during the period under review.
Chinotimba District Hospital matron, Mr Mike Gwafa, said men were not forthcoming when it came to HIV and Aids testing and counselling matters.
He said men were refusing to accompany their wives to the hospital if they were called upon by the medical staff after the mothers had tested positive.
"Men are derailing the fight against HIV and Aids. As men, we are still in denial even if our wives or girlfriends test positive. I call upon men to help us fight the scourge," said Mr Gwafa.
He said about 1 300 pregnant women registered at the hospital last year but did not give the number of those who tested HIV positive.
The resort town is one of the towns that have been rated as a "hot spot" in terms of HIV infection rates in the country.
This was revealed by the clinic's sister-in-charge, Sr Sheila Rudzuna, during a donation of a generator by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu on Monday.
Sr Rudzuna said cases involving HIV and Aids were high at the municipal clinic, which is one of the seven health institutions in the resort town serving a population of about 350 000 residents.
"Out of 380 pregnant women who booked here, 70 tested positive to the HIV virus. As part of our efforts in fighting HIV and Aids, we are also targeting the under-fives whom we are testing for HIV," she said.
Sr Rudzuna said the clinic recorded 830 cases of malaria during the period under review.
He said men were refusing to accompany their wives to the hospital if they were called upon by the medical staff after the mothers had tested positive.
"Men are derailing the fight against HIV and Aids. As men, we are still in denial even if our wives or girlfriends test positive. I call upon men to help us fight the scourge," said Mr Gwafa.
He said about 1 300 pregnant women registered at the hospital last year but did not give the number of those who tested HIV positive.
The resort town is one of the towns that have been rated as a "hot spot" in terms of HIV infection rates in the country.
Source - TC
