Senior Clerical Assistant (Administration) – Grade 5

Records Assistant

Assistant Registrar – Faculties (Gweru)

Security Guards (Gweru, Harare, Kwekwe & Zvishavane campuses)

Technical Sales Person/ Aluminium (Harare)

Regional Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer (Bulawayo)

Boiler Maker (Harare)

Marketing & Sales Officer (Harare)

Compliance Officer (Harare)

Safety, Health and Environment Officer (Harare)

Business Unit Manager x2 (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant - JAC (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant – DONG FENG (Harare)

Vehicle Sales Consultant – BAIC (Harare)

Spray Painter (Harare)

Motor Vehicle Panel Beater (Harare)

Team Leaders x7

Billing Supervisor (Harare)

Sales Representative (Harare)

Auto Electrician: Artisan (Chipinge)

Sales Representatives (Harare)

Director Human Resource (Mutare)

Assistant Batch Plant Operator (Harare)

Legal & Compliance Manager (Harare)

Processes Analyst (Harare)

Finance Manager Corporate (Harare)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged African countries to integrate COVID-19 into their disease management systems, given that the highly infectious respiratory disease remains a public health threat.
Although the WHO declared that COVID-19 was <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/05/06/who-ends-covid-19-emergency-status-6-9-million-deaths-reported/">no longer a global public health emergency</a>, the disease still exists globally, and caution is still required.
The WHO African Region COVID-19 Incident Management Support Team’s incident manager Jayne Byakika Tusiime said that African countries should transition from emergency mode to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases. Tusiime said that vaccination has been one of the life-saving tools used and encouraged people to be vaccinated. Jayne Byakika Tusiime said: 
<blockquote>
The disease still exists globally and we should not let our guard down. Let’s be cautious and protect our loved ones. It’s time for African countries to transition from emergency mode, to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases.
We need to manage COVID-19 like any other infectious disease. Let’s treat it the way we treat influenza, HIV and other diseases.
</blockquote>
However, only four countries in Africa — Mauritius, Liberia, Seychelles and Rwanda — have vaccinated more than 70% of their populations against COVID-19. Tusiime warned that failure to encourage vaccination might trigger another catastrophe. She said that WHO would continue supporting Africa with regards to COVID-19 and other diseases, and it was time to rebuild the healthcare system.
During a cabinet meeting, Zimbabwean ministers discussed the COVID-19 situation in the country, with cumulative cases standing at 265,362; 259,378 recoveries, and 5,703 deaths as of Tuesday, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/health/article/200012817/covid-19-not-yet-over-who">NewsDay</a> reported. They noted an increase in deaths and new admissions compared to the previous week, with five people in intensive care.
The Acting Health and Child Care Minister, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amon_Murwira/">Amon Murwira</a>, also reported that cumulative suspected cholera cases had reached 2,460, with 2,243 recoveries, 16 confirmed deaths, and 47 suspected deaths as of Tuesday.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

WHO Urges Africa To Integrate COVID-19 Into Disease Management Systems

A <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Buhera">Buhera</a> man who trafficked a married woman to Masvingo Province and stayed with her against her will from November 2021 to January 2022 has been sentenced to spend the next 70 years in jail.
Witness Jichichi of Muchuwa Village under Chief Nyashanu was not represented by anyone when he appeared before Rusape regional magistrate, Mr Francis Mapfumo.
He was convicted on one count of human trafficking and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Jichichi was also convicted on three counts of rape and was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in each of the cases.
He, however, was acquitted of deliberately infecting the woman with HIV, according to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/human-trafficker-caged-70-years/">Manica Post</a>.
<h2>What happened:</h2>
Prosecutor, Mr Marlon Makamba said Jichichi lied to the victim and her husband that he was an employee of a development partner and could facilitate the couple’s employment within the organisation in Masvingo.
He tricked the husband to remain behind in the village and lied that he was going to the development partner’s local offices to sign the employment contract with the complainant.
Instead, he took the unsuspecting woman into captivity.
After tricking the complainant and her husband, Jichichi went with the complainant to an unknown place in Masvingo.
While in Masvingo, Jichichi would force himself on the woman and in the process, he “deliberately” infected her with HIV.
The woman told the court that while in Masvingo, she stayed at a farm with Jichichi and he would always act like her bodyguard, following her around.
Jichichi only released his captive after learning that the woman’s relatives were looking for her on both formal and social media platforms.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Buhera Man Jailed For 70 Years For Human Trafficking

A 31-year-old Rusape domestic worker, who was fully aware of her status, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after she sexually abused her employer’s grandson, aged between 9 and 11, on several occasions.
Precious Chitseko of Mhukayesango Village in Nyazura had no legal representation when she recently appeared before regional magistrate Francis Mapfumo.
Chitseko was convicted after overwhelming evidence was presented in court and the magistrate did not suspend any part of the sentence.
Prosecuting, Tawanda Munjanja told the court that the accused abused the juvenile when his grandmother had visited her daughter. Said Munjanja:
<blockquote>
Chitseko and the juvenile are not related. On dates unknown to the prosecutor but during the period extending from 12 October 2020 to 09 November 2020, the juvenile was left in the custody of the accused person whilst his grandmother visited her daughter in Chegutu.
During that period, the accused person had sexual intercourse with the complainant without his consent on several occasions.
The matter only came to light when the complainant disclosed the matter to his grandmother on 26 February 2021.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/hiv-positive-maid-jailed-20yrs-for-rape/">The Manica Post</a></h4>

HIV-positive Maid Jailed 20 Years For Raping Minor

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has dispelled speculation that the COVID-19 vaccine may cause severe side effects to people living with HIV.
Social media has been awash with fake news aimed to discourage people from receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
The ministry’s health promotions manager Mr Paul Chinakidzwa told a virtual media briefing on HIV and Covid-19 vaccination, organised by the Zimbabwe Association of Church-Related Hospitals, that those living with HIV needed to be vaccinated noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) approved the use of these vaccines. He said:
<blockquote>
The vaccine often includes genetic material from SARS-Cov-2, but do not contain the whole virus so as a result of that the virus does not replicate. Since they are not live vaccines they are not expected to be less safe in people who are immune-compromised.
No pharmacological interactions have been reported between Covid-19 vaccines and the antiretroviral drugs.
People living with HIV should continue to take the antiretroviral therapy even after receiving vaccination in order to maintain their health and to prevent onward HIV transmission.
</blockquote>
Those living with HIV and not taking ART or whose HIV infection is not well managed may be at increased risk for contracting Covid-19 due to having a compromised immune system and risk having serious symptoms that lead to death.
ZACH public health advisor Dr Vimbai Mandizvidza said the major challenge facing people living with HIV is the restriction of movement to access health services.
She also said there have been supply-chain challenges as the pandemic affected the movement of procured medications and laboratory consumables.
Dr Mandizvidza said ZACH will continue to work with the Ministry of Health to ensure that they never run out of ART stocks.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/speculation-on-vaccines-dispelled/">The Herald</a>

Health Experts Urge People With HIV To Take COVID-19 Vaccine

Australia has prematurely abandoned its coronavirus vaccine project after some people who took the shot of the vaccine had a “false-positive” HIV test result.
Several trial participants who were given a shot of the prototype vaccine had tested positive for HIV, despite not having that virus.
The trial vaccine had used parts of a protein found in HIV, which triggered antibodies commonly seen during HIV testing.
The University of Queensland and the Australian biotech firm CSL had been conducting clinical trials on a prototype vaccine with the backing of the Australian government and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
But at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4vuuScWBE">a press conference Friday</a>, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the projected was terminated. He said:
<blockquote>We can’t have any issues with confidence. We are as a nation now, with a good portfolio of vaccines, able to make these decisions to best protect the Australian people.</blockquote>
Despite the false-positive HIV test results, the trial vaccine was showing promising signs in combating the coronavirus, <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2020/12/update-uq-covid-19-vaccine">the University of Queensland said</a> in a Friday statement. It said:
<blockquote>The UQ-CSL v451 Covid-19 vaccine has shown that it elicits a robust response towards the virus and has a strong safety profile.
However, following consultation with the Australian Government, CSL will not progress the vaccine candidate to Phase 2/3 clinical trials.
There is no possibility the vaccine causes [HIV] infection, and routine follow-up tests confirmed there is no HIV virus present.</blockquote>
Prime Minister Morrison added that his government would increase orders of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-vaccine-timeline-what-to-watch-leading-research-2020-3">other vaccines</a>, namely 120 million more doses of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/william-shakespeare-first-uk-man-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-2020-12">the Pfizer shot</a>, 20 million more shorts of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/astrazeneca-oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-news-problems-questions-data-2020-11">AstraZeneca vaccine</a>, and 11 million extra doses of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/novavax-stock-price-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-progress-data-update-nvax-2020-11">Novavax vaccine.</a>
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has directed that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/allergic-people-shouldnt-receive-covid-vaccine-mhra/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">people with a history of significant allergic reactions should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine</a> being developed by Pfizer.
This directive came after two National Health Service (NHS) workers experienced symptoms on Wednesday after taking the vaccine.
More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.co.za/coronavirus-vaccine-australia-scrap-750m-project-false-hiv-test-results-2020-12" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>

COVID Vaccine Project Scrapped After "False-Positive" HIV Results

Australia has prematurely abandoned its coronavirus vaccine project after some people who took the shot of the vaccine had a “false-positive” HIV test result.
Several trial participants who were given a shot of the prototype vaccine had tested positive for HIV, despite not having that virus.
The trial vaccine had used parts of a protein found in HIV, which triggered antibodies commonly seen during HIV testing.
The University of Queensland and the Australian biotech firm CSL had been conducting clinical trials on a prototype vaccine with the backing of the Australian government and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
But at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4vuuScWBE">a press conference Friday</a>, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the projected was terminated. He said:
<blockquote>We can’t have any issues with confidence. We are as a nation now, with a good portfolio of vaccines, able to make these decisions to best protect the Australian people.</blockquote>
Despite the false-positive HIV test results, the trial vaccine was showing promising signs in combating the coronavirus, <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2020/12/update-uq-covid-19-vaccine">the University of Queensland said</a> in a Friday statement. It said:
<blockquote>The UQ-CSL v451 Covid-19 vaccine has shown that it elicits a robust response towards the virus and has a strong safety profile.
However, following consultation with the Australian Government, CSL will not progress the vaccine candidate to Phase 2/3 clinical trials.
There is no possibility the vaccine causes [HIV] infection, and routine follow-up tests confirmed there is no HIV virus present.</blockquote>
Prime Minister Morrison added that his government would increase orders of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-vaccine-timeline-what-to-watch-leading-research-2020-3">other vaccines</a>, namely 120 million more doses of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/william-shakespeare-first-uk-man-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-2020-12">the Pfizer shot</a>, 20 million more shorts of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/astrazeneca-oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-news-problems-questions-data-2020-11">AstraZeneca vaccine</a>, and 11 million extra doses of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/novavax-stock-price-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-progress-data-update-nvax-2020-11">Novavax vaccine.</a>
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has directed that <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/12/09/allergic-people-shouldnt-receive-covid-vaccine-mhra/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">people with a history of significant allergic reactions should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine</a> being developed by Pfizer.
This directive came after two National Health Service (NHS) workers experienced symptoms on Wednesday after taking the vaccine.
More: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.co.za/coronavirus-vaccine-australia-scrap-750m-project-false-hiv-test-results-2020-12" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>

The ambassador of the United States to Zimbabwe, Ambassador <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Brian_Nichols" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brian Nichols</a>, has saluted Zimbabwe for its achievements against HIV and AIDS. Below is his article in which he pledges the US’ unwavering support to Zimbabweans living with HIV.
<blockquote>THE United States congratulates the people of Zimbabwe on the remarkable progress made in the response to HIV/Aids and celebrate the news that our collective work has put Zimbabwe on the path to achieving epidemic control.
On World Aids Day today, results released from the second Zimbabwe Population-based HIV Impact Assessment survey (ZIMPHIA 2020) demonstrated the nation’s continued progress towards achieving UNAIDS’ global targets.
The US-funded and government of Zimbabwe-led survey provided critical information on the status of the national HIV response.
The survey found that HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe – one of the hardest-hit countries in the world – has declined to 12.9 percent from a high of 29 percent in 1999.
Remarkably, the ZIMPHIA also demonstrated that over three-quarters of adults living with HIV (77.3 percent) have achieved viral load suppression, meaning they cannot sexually transmit the virus to their partners – a major milestone in bringing the infection under control.
If Zimbabwe continues to support and expand HIV diagnosis and life-saving antiretroviral treatment, the survey report noted, it can achieve the UNAIDS Fast-Track goal of ending the Aids epidemic by 2030.
We salute Zimbabwe’s health workers, local communities, implementing partners and brave people living with HIV for their achievements in the fight against HIV/Aids in the face of great odds.
People like 62-year-old Samson Chiremwe, who was diagnosed with HIV 10 years ago and has made it his personal mission to counsel other men to know their status and start treatment because it has worked so well for him.
And women like Viola Tenjani, a 58-year-old grandmother who credits treatment for her ability to continue caring for her three grandchildren.
<div class="prmfgq prmfgq-clearfix prmfgq-post-inline prmfgq-float-center prmfgq-align-center prmfgq-column-1">
<div class="prmfgq-container prmfgq-type-dfp news-ad-728-90" data-adid="165387" data-type="dfp" id="prmfgq-165387-881053822">
<div id="div-gpt-ad-1588599181508-1">Strong collaboration between America’s PEPFAR programme and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the National Aids Council, our implementing partners, the Global Fund, UNAIDS and other multilateral health development partners make such achievements possible.</div>
</div>
</div>
Perhaps even more importantly, civil society organisations and individuals who have actively fought for many years for inclusion in the HIV response, also enabled the successes from the survey.
However, while we celebrate the ZIMPHIA results, we must also pause and note the substantial work ahead of us.  Despite all that we have accomplished and all that we now know about this disease, more than 31 000 Zimbabweans became newly infected with HIV in 2020.
Key gaps in HIV prevention and treatment programming remain, including for younger people and key populations.  We cannot afford to rest or become complacent.
Ultimately, the path to epidemic control requires a shift in mindset towards sustainable HIV/Aids programmes, a renewed focus on prevention, and a shift to more tightly focused programmes such as those targeting adolescent girls and young women, men who have sex with men, and other key populations.
The US government has pledged continued support of the people of Zimbabwe’s HIV response and committed US$230.3 million this year to maintain these achievements through a comprehensive package of prevention, treatment, and support services. Cumulatively, PEPFAR investments in Zimbabwe since 2006 amount to over US$1.3 billion dollars.
Seventeen years ago, when PEPFAR began, HIV was a death sentence in Zimbabwe and many other parts of the world.  Now, for the first time in modern history, we have the opportunity to control a pandemic without a vaccine or a cure.
As we commemorate World Aids Day 2020, I reiterate America’s unwavering support for the more than 1.3 million Zimbabweans living with HIV.
We should also remember the many friends and loved ones we have lost over the past 40 years.  As we honour their legacy, let us continue to work together to achieve the ultimate goal of ending Aids.</blockquote>

FULL TEXT: USA Salutes Zim For Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Dr John Coleman, a former United States intelligence officer has made a bold claim that the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) first appeared in Africa and Brazil through the World Health Organisation’s smallpox vaccinations.
He claims that the virus started when the World Health Organisation started vaccinating people in Africa and Brazil adding that it was not a coincidence.
Coleman dismissed as a lie the view championed by the United Nations agency that the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) emanated from animals – apes.
He discouraged the black community from trusting the United States government saying it views them as dispensable.
His remarks come at the backdrop of various theories about the coronavirus vaccine with some urging Africans not to participate in clinical trials saying it was designed to wipe out the black population.
Those who champion the theory say the vaccine should be tested in the most affected countries including the United States and Europe, then lastly, Africa the least affected.
Vaccine trials are already underway in various countries across the world including South Africa and Zimbabwe is a participant.
Watch the video below for more.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 320px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="240" id="video-175690-1" preload="metadata" width="320"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AIDS-TO-AFRICA.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AIDS-TO-AFRICA.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/AIDS-TO-AFRICA.mp4</a></video></div>

WATCH: Former U.S. Intelligence Officer Speaks On How AIDS First Arrived In Africa

Health expert and ITECH’s senior Programmes Officer, Mr Abisha Jonga has said that kissing an HIV positive person may or may not cause an HIV negative person to be positive depending on the a number of issues surrounding the act.
He said that there are various types of kissing with the individuals engaged in deep kissing having high chances of transmitting the virus to each other than others using other methods of kissing.
Jonga highlighted that kissing in itself may not result in the transmission of the virus and observed that body fluids with the highest concentration of the virus, namely, blood, vaginal fluids and semen and not saliva, transmit the virus.
He said that the transmission of the virus is possible when partners have bleeding gums and blood components are exchanged since blood has the high concentration of the virus.
Mr Jonga also said that oral testing which determines that one is positive or negative does not use saliva but a mixture of fluids in the mouth. He said that tests identify antibodies released by the body when one is positive.
He was speaking to ZiFM Stereo’s Monalisa Dube during the radio’s Show “Health Matters” where he was discussing the HIV self-testing initiative ITECH is implementing in some parts of Zimbabwe.
More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2019/12/12/does-kissing-cause-hiv-interrogating-hiv-self-testing-myths/">Health Times</a>

Does Kissing Cause HIV? Expert Reveals During ZiFM Stereo Show

A report by AVERT said Bulawayo, Harare, Ruwa and Chitungwiza are the country’s HIV hotspots.
These areas have the highest number of infected people who are not on treatment. The study carried out by AVERT concluded that areas linked to commercial transport corridors and diamond mining activities are HIV hotspots particularly for men. Part of the report reads:
<blockquote>A detailed geographic analysis of Zimbabwe’s HIV epidemic indicates the greatest concentrations of people living with HIV who lack treatment are in the country’s main cities and urban settlements. The most concentrated levels of people living with HIV were found in HIV ‘hotspots’, urban settings such as Harare, Norton, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Bulawayo.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bulawayo-harare-named-as-hiv-hotspots/">Chronicle</a>

Harare, Bulawayo Named Zim HIV Hotspots- Report

According to the National Aids Council (Nac) second quarter report for Bulawayo province 18% of people who were tested for HIV from January to June this year did not collect their results
The report notes that 6 322 people tested positive and 5 154 of them have been initiated on anti-retroviral medication. Part of the report reads:
<blockquote>From January to June this year, 67 618 people tested for HIV in the whole province. Of those, 6 322 tested HIV positive but 18 percent of those results were not accounted for. From those, 33 996 were retests despite our initial target of testing 69 425 people in total. In essence we fell short of the target by three percent.</blockquote>
According to NAC, more women were tested than men during the period under review.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/18-percent-flee-hiv-test-results/">Chronicle</a>

18% flee HIV test results

Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga claimed that Harare South MP Shadreck Mashayamombe (Zanu-PF) insulted her during a question and answer session in Parliament on Wednesday.
Misihairabwi Mushonga said Mashayamombe insulted her for her statement that more than 70% of MPs are HIV positive. It is not clear what Mashayamombe said to Misihairabwi Mushonga. Below is an excerpt of the Hansard detailing what transpired:
<blockquote>HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of order! Hon. Speaker, there is somebody who is insulting me, Mashayamombe from there – [HON. MMASHAYAMOMBE: Inaudible interjections.] – Then deal with that particular issue directly.  Do not be a coward.  What kind of a man are you? You are sick.
THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order! Hon. Member, what is the insult, I did not hear it – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- Order, order! Hon. Mashayamombe, stand up please and withdraw your statement.
*HON. MASHAYAMOMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker.  The Hon. Member is the one who said that 80% of the Members of Parliament are HIV positive, hence she is the one who agreed that she has AIDS –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! What exactly did you say to the Hon. Member?
*HON. MASHAYAMOMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker.  What I have asked is that the Hon. Member should withdraw what she said.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can you answer my question! Order, order – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Order, order please. My question concerns what you said to the Hon. Member not what she said last week.
          *HON. MASHAYAMOMBE:  I said that the Hon. Member should withdraw what she highlighted last week to the media that 70-80% of Members of Parliament are HIV positive – [HON. MEMBERS:  Hear, hear.] –
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA:  On a point of order ….
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order!  I am going to send a couple of members outside.  The matter was discussed here last week and I would like to believe that the Hon. Member made that statement.  Is that correct? –[AN HON. MEMBER: Yes.] – Who is saying yes?
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA:  Mr. Speaker Sir, I think that in a country where issues – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –  No, no, no Mr. Speaker.  I will not be intimidated in this House.  I refuse to be intimidated – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER:  My question is – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] –
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga approached the Chair.
THE HON. SPEAKER:  Order, order, order!  Hon. Member, can you go out now?  Go out straight away.  Hon. Minister Dokora, can you respond to the question?</blockquote>

Kasukuwere ally insults Misihairabwi-Mushonga for HIV statement

Speaking at a press conference soon after the close of the 67th World Health Organisation regional committee for Africa, Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said Goverment is considering introducing a log book to monitor the movement of truck drivers and commercial sex workers in a bid to curb the spread of STIs and HIV/AIDS.
Said Parirenyatwa:
<blockquote>The issue of truck drivers is a big issue not only in relation to STIs but to HIV/ Aids as well. Truck drivers are among the major clients of commercial sex workers hence the need to find how best to assist them. We need to address this at district level especially at growth points. District Aids Committees should be very active in that regard and maybe we can consider the issue of having a log book like they do in Thailand. The log book will be used to record everyone who passes by, where they sleep and who they are with.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/govt-mulls-hiv-register-for-truckers-hookers/">Chronicle</a>

Govt considers introducing log book for truck drivers & sex workers

Speaking to the media at the Ministry of Health and Child Care Head offices in Harare, Health Care Practitioner, Dr Cleopas Chimbetete said that prophets are largely to blame for HIV related deaths as they discourage HIV patients from taking Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) drugs claiming that they have healed them.
Said Dr Chimbetete:
<blockquote>Prophets are largely to blame for most HIV related death cases as most patients eschew from medication after perceived deliverance from these prophets. Prophets should be barred from diagnosing patients because they have no right equipment or technologies to do so.
Instead patients should return to professional doctors for diagnosis before foregoing medication. We have seen quite a number of patients who would have been diagnosed negative by these men of the cloth ceasing treatment only to realize that they were duped when they relapse.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://hararepost.co.zw/index.php/2017-06-15-08-35-23/local-news/item/1021-false-prophecy-fuel-hiv-mortality-rate#.WZ2a_eG7_bI.twitter">Harare Post</a>

Prophets largely to blame for HIV related deaths: Health Expert

Speaking to The Chronicle, National Aids Council (Nac)  coordinator Mr Murari Hwingwiri said Gweru has  3 500 self-confessed prostitutes and up to 60 percent of them are HIV positive.
Said Hwingwiri:
<blockquote>The figures are quite disturbing if we look at the national statistics, only 15 percent of the prostitutes on our national database are HIV positive. In Gweru between 55 to 60 percent of the 3 500 ladies of the night on our database are HIV positive. As Nac we are still looking for the reasons why the numbers of sex workers living positively are still so high in Gweru unlike other cities. </blockquote>
He  urged men to go for HIV testing as most of them are still shunning HIV and testing services as compared to women.
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/over-half-of-gweru-prostitutes-hiv/">Chronicle</a>

Half of prostitutes in Gweru are HIV positive: NAC

Head of Aids and Tuberculosis Unit Dr Owen Mugurungi said that Government will this month nationalise the HIV and Aids self-testing programme.
Said Dr Mugurungi:
<blockquote>The project, has delivered outstanding results, which motivated the investment of additional funds for phase two, which will be launched in mid of July 2017. Under phase two, HIV self-testing (HIVST) will expand to all provinces in Zimbabwe and will be scaled up to explore additional distribution models. It will also be integrated at heath facility level and offered to clients for distribution to their sexual partners to reach partners who are not able to access health facilities for HIV testing.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/govt-to-decentralise-hivaids-self-testing/">Herald</a>

Govt to decentralise HIV and Aids self-testing programme

World Education has claimed that 50 percent of the women between the ages of 15 and 24 are HIV/Aids positive in Sub-Saharan Africa. This was said by World Education programs coordinator Ms. Banele Mandaz Speaking during a belated Mother’s Day Ladies’ Luncheon, hosted by the SOS Village. She encouraged women to educate their children about HIV and Aids and not to  leave it to schools.
Said Ms Mandaza:
<blockquote>Gone are the days where you will wait for aunties to teach young girls about HIV/Aids. I understand that it is uncomfortable to talk about sex with your biological children but l think this is the time for women to educate their children. Do not leave it for teachers because teachers are chasing after school pass rates.
Most of the children between the ages of 15 and 24 who are HIV/AIDS positive don`t have careers and they don`t know what to do with their lives. Mothers, you must discipline and give basic education to your children because life is not about holding a certificate or a degree.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/50pc-young-women-hiv-positive/">Chronicle </a>

50 percent of young women between 15 and 24 are HIV positive says  World Education official

Men who undergo circumcision using prepex device (Ring) risk tetanus infection through wounds on their organs if not immunised. In response, Government has made available more tetanus vaccines for men seeking to undergo the procedure.
Head of AIDS and tuberculosis Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Owen Mugurungi said males who wanted to be circumcised using the ring should provide evidence of tetanus immunisation. Said Mugurungi:
<blockquote>New World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend that all men undergoing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) with the prepex device should have been vaccinated against tetanus as adults. We are currently offering circumcision with the prepex device to those that can provide proof of vaccination.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/dangers-of-male-circumcision-ring-exposed/">Chronicle</a>

Men who undergo circumcision using "the Ring" risk tetanus infection if not immunised

According to the latest statistics from the Health and Child Care ministry, the two Matabeleland provinces have recorded the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country. Matabeleland South remains the hotspot for HIV and Aids after recording the highest HIV prevalence rate for 2016.
Rudo Kuwengwa, a Medical officer (Aids and TB unit) in the Health and Child Care ministry, said
<blockquote>Matabeleland South has the highest prevalence of HIV at 21%. This may be attributed to the fact that there is a very busy border town and there is a lot of movement and mining activities there. There is a very big mobile population and this may also have led to it having the highest new infections.</blockquote>
The country’s average HIV prevalence stands at 14,6%, having declined from a peak of 28% in 1997, according to statistics from the ministry.
HIV prevalence rates in order 
1.Matabeleland South 21% 
2.Matabeleland North 17,6 % 
3.Masvingo 12,9% 
4.Bulawayo 14,3% 
5.Midlands 15% 
6.Mashonaland East 15,2% 
7.Harare 12,8% 
8.Mashonaland Central 11,9% 
9.Mashonaland West 13,2% 
10.Manicaland has the 10,5%
More:<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/04/13/mat-south-records-highest-hiv-prevalence-rate/"> NewsDay</a>

Matabeleland provinces have highest HIV prevalence rates

Responding to a question by Gokwe MP Dorothy Mhangami (Zanu PF) in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Health and Child Care deputy minister Aldrin Musiiwa said traditional and faith healers who mislead people about the treatment of HIV risked being prosecuted.
Said Musiiwa:
<blockquote>At present there is no cure for HIV and if there are traditional and faith healers that claim a cure, it is malpractice and they must be prosecuted. Such practices are done by bogus healers that are not registered by the Traditional Medicines Council. We now have a Statutory Instrument that will prosecute traditional healers that advise patients on ARVs to refrain from medicines.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/04/07/faith-healers-risk-prosecution/">NewsDay</a>

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