The Zimbabwean Government will soon
start distributing HIV self-testing kit OraQuick, following the acceptance of
using the gadget by most participants in a countrywide acceptability study.
The kits are part of a move to
conscientise Zimbabweans about their HIV status and seek treatment early.
Self-tests can be conducted without
a healthcare provider’s assistance however a positive result must be confirmed
by a blood test conducted by qualified medical.
Ministry of Health and Child Care
director (Aids and TB), Dr Owen Mugurungi said that before introducing
something new, they first run feasibility and acceptability tests to check if
people are ready to receive (the new product). He also added that the
preliminary assessment results show that most people accept the HIV
self-testing kit and this guides them in decision-making.
Secretary for Health and Child Care
Dr Brigadier Gerald Gwinji revealed the merits on why health institutions
should accommodate those who test positive, adding that educational campaigns
will soon be undertaken.
“The
messaging will make it clear that there is a requirement to go to the next
stage because you cannot self-manage, treat yourself and perhaps do other tests
such as CD4 count.
“When OraQuick was introduced (in
the United States), we hadn’t developed appropriate evidence-based strategies we
had developed a strategy ,”he added.
According to statistics obtained
from the Zimbabwe National AIDS Council, the estimated number of people living
with HIV is 1,390,211.Estimated number of annual HIV deaths is 63,853,while the
HIV prevalence rate is 15%.
Stereotypical tendencies by peers,
church members and in some cases family members have pioneered on the HIV
testing resistance. Some people would rather stay in ignorance than be stereotyped
and rejected by society.
OraQuick will go a long way in
alerting people about their status. Concerns about its availability and prize
have however been raised, with issues like whether an ordinary rural folk can
access and or afford it.
- See more at:
http://www.technomag.co.zw/2015/03/03/oral-hiv-testing-comes-to-zimbabwe/#sthash.rwHFzP9d.0SO9GUWt.dpuf
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