Madzorera told delegates at the second national HIV and Aids conference last week that his suggestion must be seriously considered if the country were to seriously deal with the pandemic.
The minister reiterated that such an initiative could only work as a programme and not a policy issue. There are fears that the fight against the pandemic might not be won because the majority of Zimbabweans do not know their status.
Currently, HIV-testing is optional. Godfrey Mathanda, a consultant with the Zimbabwe HIV and Aids Union (ZHAAU), said Madzorera’s proposal for a Know Your Status Campaign was a step in the right direction.
“I hear such campaigns are done in other countries,” Mathanda said. “But it will require serious preparation, which will include a pre-campaign by HIV activists and counsellors who will first educate people on the whole issue of testing and how to deal with results.
“At the moment, a lot of campaigning is done through roadshows and if properly planned, a door-to-door campaign may yield even better results.
An expert with a leading HIV and Aids service organisation said a similar campaign yielded positive results in Zambia as a lot of people got to know their status.
“The number of people getting tested is likely to increase because a lot are not heeding the call because they have to travel long distances to testing centres,” he said.
“Testing will still remain voluntary and a lot of barriers, for example disclosure, will be eliminated as the family will be at hand to support those who test positive.”
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Owen Mugurungi, the director of the Aids and Tuberculosis unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare shared the same sentiments, adding that the programme would show “bravery and innovation”.
“Let us be brave enough and be innovative,” Mugurungi said. “The programme will explore issues around information, education and encouraging people to get tested.”
The conference, which ran from Monday to Friday, was held under the theme Eliminate new HIV infections in children — Keep mothers alive.
ZIM HIV STATISTICS
Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in the world that have managed to significantly reduce the HIV prevalence rate from as high as 26,5% in 1997 to 14,3% in 2009 among adults between 15 and 49 years of age.
The HIV sero-prevalence among pregnant women also decreased from 20,1% to 16%, and 1% by the end of 2009.
