NAC Steps Up HIV Awareness As New Infections Rise Among Older Men In UMP

Reports of new HIV infections among adolescent boys and men aged 24 to 70 in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District have prompted the National AIDS Council (NAC) to roll out the Behaviour Change Community Mobilisers programme in the area.

In an interview with Zimpapers, District AIDS Coordinator (DAC) for Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Owen Mupemhi, said the programme is being implemented across 15 wards. He said:

“We are implementing this programme in 15 wards of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, after realising new HIV transmissions among adolescent boys and men up to the age of 70.

“So this is a male engagement programme where we educate them on safe sex practices.

“We bring services to them because we realised that men have a low health-seeking behaviour.

“In this programme, we are not only targeting men at their homes, but we also visit them at their workplaces.

“This is bearing fruit because a lot of men are now seeking health services. There is a growing demand for these services. We are excited because we aim to end new HIV infections by 2030.”

Artwell Ndemera (33), an employee at Suraj Mine, expressed his gratitude to NAC for bringing their services to the workplace, saying employees spend most of their time at work.

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