In recognition of its 18th anniversary in Zimbabwe, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has announced the 2021 PEPFAR Heroes Award for outstanding individuals who have made a meaningful contribution towards Zimbabwe’s response to HIV and AIDS over the past 18 years.

The Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) has received 6 brand new vehicles for HIV programming under the TASQC programme that is being implemented in partnership with OPHID Zimbabwe. This has been made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S President’s Emergency Plan on AIDS relief (PEPFAR) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) and Zimbabwe Young Positives (ZY+) join the rest of the world in commemorating the 2020 International World AIDS Day running under the theme “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”. As people living with HIV, we are in solidarity with the rest of the world in fighting the global health threat posed by COVID-19. We equally share the responsibility to act and effectively deal with this health emergency which has impacted on every aspect of society.

The Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) on 1st July 2020 launched the People Living with HIV (PLHIV) virtual platform call centre called Kutabila, covering Zimbabwe’s ten provinces plus a dedicated line for Youth and Key Populations. The call centre was made possible with financial and technical support from the UNAIDS and National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe. A virtual platform provides a trusted connection between the umbrella network and recipients of care. It is a PLHIV-led response to the emergency brought about by COVID-19 and lessons learnt from previous disasters and emergencies such as the Chingwizi and Idai floods that severely affected PLHIV’s access to health services.

Greetings Everyone,

Welcome to the third edition of Rararamo ineTariro nePEPFAR, the PEPFAR Zimbabwe e-newsletter. The last six months have been trying and exhausting for everyone working in the health sector – almost no one has been spared the effects of the fast-spreading COVID-19 disease. Predictably, many of our PEPFAR-supported programs in Zimbabwe have taken a hit. Still, PEPFAR’s quarter three results (April-June) show remarkable increases in HIV treatment linkage and retention, as well as record-high viral load coverage and suppression. We would like to dedicate this issue of the newsletter to our implementing partners who have found the tenacity to protect gains made in the response to HIV. Their efforts are nothing short of heroic.

Zimbabwe National Network of People living with HIV (ZNNP+) and Zimbabwe Young Positives (ZY+) join the rest of the world in commemorating The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial running under the theme “We remember – We take action – We live beyond HIV”. As the world deals with the coronavirus pandemic we must support our families and communities to stay healthy. People living with HIV have a role to play beyond the HIV response and this year’s memorial is an opportunity for all PLHIV to act in solidarity with the world as we deal with COVID-19 and its impact on all spheres of our lives.

COVID-19 is a severe public health emergency for all citizens and societies with infections. It is also a major health and socio-economic shock to People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Compared with the general population, people with compromised immunity are at higher risk of contracting the new coronavirus and developing more serious COVID-19 illness; and this includes People Living with HIV. The HIV population is aging, and nearly half are over 50. Those with low CD4 T-cell counts or indicating advanced immune suppression are at greatest risk.

Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+), Zimbabwe Young Positives (ZY+), Activists and other representatives of people living with HIV in Zimbabwe submitted a petition to parliament on the need for the Government of Zimbabwe to raise the more than US$6 million required as a commitment to the Global Fund in order to access US$400 million. The petition also highlighted the challenges in access to treatment by PLHIV in Zimbabwe especially second line drugs as well as expired drugs being dispensed to PLHIV. The petition was submitted on the 4th of July 2019 and discussed on the 18th of July 2019.

Today, People Living with HIV (PLHIV), networks and civil society organizations gather at the Africa Unity Square in Harare to deliberate on the key challenges affecting PLHIV and to petition the government through parliament to act with greater urgency on a pending health crisis.

The Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) is greatly saddened by the loss of life due to Cyclone Idai that hit mainly Manicaland and many other parts of the country. We convey our deepest condolences to all the families that have lost their loved ones due to the cyclone. We appreciate the declaration of the cyclone tragedy as a national disaster. This will ensure the much needed flow of assistance to affected communities.