News / Local
7% Bulawayo population tests HIV positive
21 Oct 2015 at 07:03hrs | Views
A total of 7% popultion in Bulawayo recently tested positive of HIV when the city in conjunction with the ministry of health conducted a testing programme.
A total of 10 135 people equal to 22% out of 45 199 targeted population in Bulawayo were tested in August this year for HIV and AIDS.
Latest agenda states that out of the tested figure a total of 725 people which is 7% of the targeted populations tested positive.
Director of Health Services, Zanele Hwalima reported that Health Education sessions were held in the clinics and Thorngrove Hospital and there were indications that children, adolescents and young people faced challenges in accessing HIV testing and counselling services.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care conducted a campaign for HIV testing and counselling (HTC) in provinces in Matabeleland region, namely, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North.
The City of Bulawayo, Health Services Department had led and coordinated the campaign in Bulawayo. Various partners in the city assisted in the campaign.
The campaign was conducted in all municipal clinics, central hospitals and outreach points. Outreach points were set up in shopping centres, halls, churches, tertiary institutions and other community centres.
The campaign was conducted as from 27 July 2015 to 3 August 2015.
"A total of 10 135 (22%) people were tested out of 45 199 targeted population. A total of 725 (7%) people were positive," reads the minutes.
"The target set by Ministry of Health and Child Care was unrealistic as compared to client staff ratio and the period of implementation hence the low coverage. Most of the outreach sites were marked by long queues which were discouraging for the clients as the service providers could not cope. However, the Health Services department continued to educate the community on HIV and AIDS and the importance of HIV testing and counselling."
The local authority indicated that its Health Services department was grateful to the support given by the city fathers and mothers, various departments, stakeholders and the residents in the city.
A total of 10 135 people equal to 22% out of 45 199 targeted population in Bulawayo were tested in August this year for HIV and AIDS.
Latest agenda states that out of the tested figure a total of 725 people which is 7% of the targeted populations tested positive.
Director of Health Services, Zanele Hwalima reported that Health Education sessions were held in the clinics and Thorngrove Hospital and there were indications that children, adolescents and young people faced challenges in accessing HIV testing and counselling services.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care conducted a campaign for HIV testing and counselling (HTC) in provinces in Matabeleland region, namely, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North.
The campaign was conducted in all municipal clinics, central hospitals and outreach points. Outreach points were set up in shopping centres, halls, churches, tertiary institutions and other community centres.
The campaign was conducted as from 27 July 2015 to 3 August 2015.
"A total of 10 135 (22%) people were tested out of 45 199 targeted population. A total of 725 (7%) people were positive," reads the minutes.
"The target set by Ministry of Health and Child Care was unrealistic as compared to client staff ratio and the period of implementation hence the low coverage. Most of the outreach sites were marked by long queues which were discouraging for the clients as the service providers could not cope. However, the Health Services department continued to educate the community on HIV and AIDS and the importance of HIV testing and counselling."
The local authority indicated that its Health Services department was grateful to the support given by the city fathers and mothers, various departments, stakeholders and the residents in the city.
Source - Byo24News
