Clinic shortages hit HIV patients

PEOPLE living with HIV/Aids in Matabeleland North Province are hard-hit by a shortage of clinics as they are reportedly walking more than 20 kilometres to the nearest clinic to get ARVs.

The revelation was made by the provincial co-ordinator for Zimbabwe National Network for People with HIV (ZNNP+), Ms Thandiwe Zondo, who said Government should swiftly provide safety tents which would also help to treat other diseases.

"We understand that Government does not have enough money and it is our plea that it introduces tents where patients can come and get their ARVs," said Ms Zondo.

"These tents should not come only to address or help people living with HIV/Aids but they can also be baby clinics or cancer screening clinics. There is still a lot of stigma associated with HIV/Aids hence when these tents come, they should address other diseases."

As a result of the shortage of clinics, Ms Zondo said patients were now sending someone to the nearest hospital with their cards to get the drugs on their behalf.

"We must all understand that the economy is biting everyone. To make matters worse, people in rural areas cannot afford to give someone a dollar to go and collect drugs on their behalf. This is a challenge which is threatening the lives of many patients in the province," she said.

Ms Zondo also noted that youths in the province were not coming for HIV/Aids testing.

"Parents should encourage their children to go for testing because youth are our future leaders. We want an HIV-free generation and that will be possible when youths go for testing.

"There is also a problem where in some parts of the province youths and school-going children do not want to partake in HIV/Aids programmes," she said.