AHF constructs US$0,2m opportunistic infectious center in Gweru
Share
Sydney Mubaiwa
MIDLANDS BUREAU
GWERU – The Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a non-profit making organisation has funded the construction of a state-of-the art opportunistic infectious center in Gweru.
The center called Gweru Provincial Hospital Opportunistic Infectious (OI) Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre of Excellence will provide services to people in need of HIV specialized care and support.
The facility was constructed at a cost of US$200 000.
Speaking on behalf Vice President and the Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga, the Minister of State for Midlands Larry Mavima commented AHF for funding the healthcare facility that will provide quality and affordable healthcare services to people living with HIV and AIDS across the Midlands province.
“This development is a commendable achievement which demonstrates the unity of purpose and cooperation. We are grateful to AHF for constructing the state-of-the art Centre of Excellence,” he said.
He bemoaned the abuse of drugs and substances by the youths saying the problem was one of the challenges which leads to the spreading of HIV and AIDS.
“As we celebrate the opening of this facility, I remain seized with growing concern over the surge in substance abuse by our youths. This hospital on average attends to 12 such cases per month and I therefore call upon stakeholders to put heads together and do something about this challenge,” he said.
He said the non-profit making organisation feeds into the country’s National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2021-2025 which seeks to accelerate progress towards the ending of AIDS as a health threat.
In his address, director of quality management and clinical operations Dr Nduduzo Dube said the Foundation has designed its programmes to feed into the country’s national health sector.
“AFH Zimbabwe is spearheading the process of transforming the OI and ART clinics at key central hospitals and provincial hospitals into Centres of Excellence in terms of HIV treatment and care.
“We have also made structural renovations at different sites across the country. We are supporting OI clinics at Parirenyatwa, Mpilo and Sally Mugabe hospitals, Victoria Chitepo, Gwanda and Gweru provincial hospitals,” he said.
The organisation which started operating in Zimbabwe in 2016 is currently supporting care and treatment of more than 16 million patients in 13 African countries.
Gweru Provincial Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Fabian Mashingaidze said that there are 3 600 patients registered for HIV treatment and care at the center.
The newly commissioned facility is going to provide services like free HIV testing, counselling, comprehensive HIV care for adults and children living with HIV, onsite laboratory and pharmaceutical services.