Family AIDS Caring Trust Zimbabwe (FACT) joined the people of Zimbabwe and the world at large in commemorating World AIDS Dayon the 1st of December 2019 running under the theme: “Communities make the difference.”
The commemorations which were held at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo province saw the Government of Zimbabwe and partners converging to accelerate the drive of ending AIDS by 2030.
Key note addresses came from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Aid agencies and civil society organisations emphasizing on community driven initiatives and recommitting to ending AIDS.
“Communities are at the center of epidemic control. It is time to ensure communities take a lead in changing the tide in eradicating new HIV infections through prevention and adherence to treatment for viral load suppression”– Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Obadiah Moyo.
“The United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), will continuously support efforts by the Government and people of Zimbabwe in the fight to end AIDS by 2030”- US Deputy Chief of Party to Zimbabwe, Thomas Hastings.
Since 1987, FACT has been complementing efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe and fellow civic organisations in fighting the AIDS pandemic. Through various initiatives being implemented by FACT in Zimbabwe, communities are at the center of response and program implementation which has seen remarkable milestones towards epidemic control.
FACT through the Children Tariro (CT),DREAMS, PITCH and Tas4TBinitiatives, aims to contribute to the attainment of the 90-90-90 targets outlined by UNAIDS through specific interventions directed at Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their families. These interventions are directed towards specific populations identified as having the highest vulnerability to HIV.
In Zimbabwe many households are largely impoverished and lack economic and psychosocial capacities to absorb and be resilient to the effects of poverty thus exposing them to high risk of HIV infection. Children struggle to access basic services such as health, education and social protection.
Premised on four thematic areas which are safe, stable, healthy and schooled; the CT project aims at ensuring vulnerable communities are linked to critical continuum of prevention and care services to ensure a reduction in new HIV infections, AIDS related morbidity and mortality.
To date, the project has garnered key milestones by keeping 15 200 children in school through education assistance, 32 554 caregivers have been reached with sustainable economic strengthening, 16 406 children have been reached with HIV risk reduction and avoidance sessions and 18 340 caregiver baby pairs have received Early Childhood Stimulation (ECS) and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services.
FACT through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)is implementing the Children Tariro and DREAMS initiatives in 5 districts of Manicaland province (Buhera, Chipinge, Mutasa, Mutare and Makoni) and one district in Masvingo province (Gutu).
Content generated by FACT Zimbabwe Documentation and Communication Desk. For further enquiry contact Tinotenda Thulani Kabai at tkabai@fact.org.zw/new