By Ndumiso Tshuma
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has achieved a significant milestone, now providing care to over 2 million individuals across 45 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
At a social event held to commemorate this achievement, AHF officials highlighted the organisation’s growth from a small community-based hospice in Los Angeles to a global leader in HIV/AIDS treatment and advocacy.
In Zimbabwe, AHF has made substantial progress, with over 63 000 people receiving care since its inception in 2016.
Dr Earnest Chikwati, Country Programme Director for AHF Zimbabwe, attributed this success to the organisation’s commitment to providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy regardless of patients’ ability to pay.
“We are in more than 45 countries, including Zimbabwe. We started supporting Zimbabwe in 2016, and since then, we have grown more than three times in terms of patients in care under AHF support. We began with 15,000 at Mpilo Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Hospital, but now we are talking about more than 63,000 in care. The key issue is to keep them alive and continue to offer excellent services and cutting-edge medicine, irrespective of the ability to pay,” said Dr Chikwati.
To celebrate this milestone, AHF Zimbabwe organised a sporting event, inviting participants from Gwanda, Mzilikazi, Cowdray Park, and Mpilo Central Hospital to compete in relay races, soccer matches, and netball games.
“We are very happy about this achievement and hope to help more affected patients in the long run, so they can receive the necessary help we offer to preserve more lives,” said Dr Chikwati.
He also stated that AHF started as a small hospice supporting people dying of HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles with only 10 patients but has since expanded to support more than 2 million people worldwide.
“We began with just 10 patients. Now, we support more than 2 million lives. We have developed an unwavering commitment to providing quality healthcare services and advocating for the rights of those living with HIV/AIDS,” said Dr Chikwati.
He added that the organisation’s growth is a testament to its dedication to eradicating the disease and improving the lives of those affected.
“As AHF commemorates this significant milestone, it reaffirms its pledge to continue providing life-saving services and support to those affected by HIV/AIDS around the world and in Zimbabwe. The organization’s growth is a testament to its dedication to eradicating the disease and improving the lives of those affected,” said Dr Chikwati.
