Harare, November 21, 2014 (OWN)-Government says it remains committed and focused on working towards reversing the spread of HIV in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

Harare, November 21, 2014 (OWN)-Government says it remains committed
and focused on working towards reversing the spread of HIV in line
with the Millennium Development Goals.

Minister of State for provincial affairs-Harare metropolitan Hon.
Miriam Chikukwa was the guest of honour.

Speaking at the official launch on Thursday, of the HIV Testing and
Counselling campaign (HTC) and revised HTC guidelines for adults and
children, Chikukwa said Zimbabwe had achieved the 2015 MDGs target in
HIV testing and counselling (HTC)with 85% of the population knowing
their HIV status.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Government of Zimbabwe remains committed
and focused on halting and working towards reversing the spread of HIV
in line with the Millennium Development Goals. As we enter the
homestretch, towards 2015 our primary target in HIV testing and
counselling (HTC) is that 85% of the people in Zimbabwe know their HIV
status," she said. She said HTC was a critical point to HIV
prevention, treatment, care and support, with recent studies showing
that HTC was a preventive strategy.

"While HTC remains a critical entry point to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support, recent studies have shown that HTC is
actually a preventive strategy in its own right".

Hon. Chikukwa said the aim of the HTC was to bring services close to
people and mainly targeting men.

"This year's campaign, ladies and gentlemen, is taking a new twist all
together as we are deliberately targeting the men, and also we have
realized that a significant gap still exists regarding the testing
rate for children".

"The aim is to bring HTC services close to the people in an integrated
manner, with improved linkages and referrals to prevention, treatment,
care and support. Through this campaign, we are hoping to increase the
uptake of HTC thereby increasing the number of people who know their
HIV status," said the minister.

However, she said, HTC guidelines was to provide national standards
that must be adhered to in the provision of high quality client and
provider initiated HIV testing and counselling services in Zimbabwe,
by BRENDON NYONI

nyoniphotos

Harare, November 21, 2014 (OWN)-Government says it remains committed
and focused on working towards reversing the spread of HIV in line
with the Millennium Development Goals.