THE National Aids Council (NAC) says a shortage of clinics in Gokwe is affecting access to health delivery for people living with HIV and Aids in the district.
STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT The Midlands NAC provincial monitoring and evaluation officer Josiah Machakata told stakeholders at a meeting in Gokwe on Tuesday that the district had clinics serving close to 30 000 people, a situation he said adversely affected access to health by HIV patients.
Machakata said there was need to mobilise funds to build more health centres in the district to address the anomaly.
“Gokwe has about 18 clinics servicing a population of between 20 000 and 30 000. This is quite retrogressive for HIV and Aids patients if they are to access health services. There is need for funds mobilisation to build more health centres,” Machakata said.
He said the situation in Gokwe and other areas in the province like Mberengwa was dire and needed urgent attention.
“If we are to compare with Chirumanzu, you would see that Gokwe and Mberengwa are in a tight situation.
Chirumanzu has a population of about 10 000 people yet boasts 21 health centres,” he said.
Most rural areas in the country are hard-hit by clinic shortages with reports of people living with HIV and Aids reportedly walking more than 20km to the nearest health centre to access anti-retrovirals and other services.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The situation has resulted in relatives going to the nearest hospitals with patients’ cards to acquire drugs.
