THE 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) recently held in Harare and attended by over 6 000 delegates was among the major highlights in the health sector in 2015.
ICASA, gave birth to the Harare Declaration which is dedicated to implementing the fast-track to ending AIDS by 2030 and helping achieve the world’s new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Declaration also highlights the need to combat the marginalisation and victimisation of minorities of every type, support the increased networking and visibility of African HIV science, called for the effective resourcing of the AIDS response across the continent in the framework of global solidarity and shared responsibility, actively engage men in participating and supporting women’s empowerment agenda, among others.
New HIV guidelines were given at the same meeting by the World Health Organisation (WHO), prescribing that people living with HIV and AIDS must receive treatment regardless of their CD4 count in order to reduce the rate of transmission and premature HIV-related deaths.
The launch of the HIV self-testing kits on World AIDS Day eve is expected to increase the number of people who know their status.
On the front to improve health delivery in the country China’s President Xi Jinping, during his historic visit, signed a Pharmaceutical deal that will see construction of a National Pharmaceutical Warehouse.
In a bid to lower medical costs, the Chitungwiza Central Hospital is set to carry out kidney transplants early next year.
The institution has already set up a kidney committee comprising surgeons, nephrologists, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, social workers, radiologists, radiographers and renal nurses.
Resumption of kidney transplants will bring a sigh of relief for most Zimbabweans who are seeking specialists’ attention outside the country since kidney transplants stopped in 1992.
Government’s response to emergencies significantly improved this year.
Cases of cholera were efficiently managed with the few cases reported being contained.
Government had adequate drugs and facilities to deal with outbreaks.
However, water and sanitation remain key in the fight against waterborne diseases such as dysentery, typhoid and cholera.
Government recently announced the introduction of pre-paid water meters, particularly in the urban centres.
Though the move has been met with mixed reactions it seeks to improve service delivery.
Non-payment of bills has resulted in councils failing to provide an adequate service.
Prisons in the country have made commendable efforts in meeting the health needs of inmates.
For example Harare Central Prison has worked towards ensuring that prisoners on Anti-Retro Viral Therapy (ART) receive their medication consistently.
A contentious issue was raised on whether schoolchildren should be given condoms.
NGOs under the guise of safeguarding the well-being of children are advocating the distribution of condoms in schools.
However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education emphasised the need for Ubuntu and has not bowed to pressure to give the green-light for distribution.
Worrisome were statistics revealed by the National AIDS Council in September that indicated an increase in cases of STIs in the country.
Most of the STI’s were among university students who are believed to be engaging in multiple and concurrent relationships.
In a bid to increase Voluntary Male Circumcision, Population Services International (PSI) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care introduced a pre-pex device which controls necrosis of the foreskin by stopping the flow of blood to the foreskin tissue.
Pre-pex provides an alternative to male circumcision surgery.
The new painless method, instead of cutting the foreskin and bandaging the patient, takes about four minutes. In using the device, a ring is inserted on the male organ under the foreskin before an elastic rubber band is put on top of the foreskin following the groove of the ring.
The ring and rubber band prevent blood from circulating to the foreskin and within six hours, it starts to ‘die’.
After seven days, the foreskin would be dead and the patient then goes to the clinic to have the ring removed after which the dead foreskin falls off.
The patient continues to pass urine naturally during the time he would be wearing the ring.
We hope in the coming year more breakthroughs will be recorded in the health sector.