The United States Embassy in Harare, through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has channelled US$150 000 to help with COVID-19 prevention measures in Zimbabwe, with a specific target at people living with HIV.
People living with HIV who are not on treatment or virally suppressed may be at greater risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.
The fund will cover the purchase of soap, buckets, hand washing stations and hand sanitisers for supported facilities, and the reproduction of COVID-19 communication materials to be shared at supported facilities and through faith and community networks around Zimbabwe. Three PEPFAR clinical implementing partners are Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) and Zimbabwe Association of Church-related Hospitals (ZACH).
In a statement, the US Embassy in Harare said its government is committed to continued care and treatment for people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
“People living with HIV who are not on treatment or virally suppressed may be at greater risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19. All people living with HIV need to take precautions, including keeping at least three-months supply of ARVs in their homes, washing hands frequently, practicing social spacing and avoiding others who are sick,” said the embassy.
“PEPFAR’s efforts supporting the response to the COVID-19 pandemic aim to make sure that people living with HIV have the best possible outcomes within the context of over-stretched healthcare systems.”
According to the US Embassy, the US$150 000 is in addition to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s US$470,000 contribution to the World Health Organisation (WHO) support to Zimbabwe’s fight against COVID 19 in March 27, 2020. “Through this funding, WHO will help with life-saving activities such as preparing laboratories for large-scale testing for COVID-19, implementing a public-health emergency plan for points of entry, and activating case-finding and evidence-based surveillance for influenza-like illnesses,” said the embassy.
Since 1980, the United States has provided over $1 billion in health assistance to strengthen health systems in Zimbabwe.
