Health Ministry launches Triple fight for diseases

Victoria Falls—In an effort to end AIDS the Ministry of Health and Child Care has launched Triple
Elimination of the Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B Virus.

The launch was done during the pre-World Aids Day commemoration in Chinotimba Hall in Victoria Falls.
Speaking during the commemorations, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora said
the inaugural Plan for Triple Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B
virus will cover the period 2023 to 2026.

The Triple EMTC plan represents a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, diagnosis
treatment and support for three diseases – HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B using an integrated approach.

The goal is to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV to less than 5 percent by 2026, he said adding
,”we have a vision for a new generation of children free from HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B.”

The Minister said there is need to strengthen the integration of family planning within HIV and increase
modern contraceptive prevalence rate that was 67,1 percent at the end of 2022 to 80 percent by 2025.

By empowering women with knowledge and family planning choices, we can significantly reduce the
risk of HIV transmission. We will continue to strengthen existing antenatal and postnatal care with
scaling up activities to vertical transmission, he said.

The National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer, Benard Madzima called for an integrated service
delivery of HIV and maternal child health care services.

As NAC we are ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure that this is accelerated by providing
financial and technical services, said Madzima.

An official from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Tsitsi, said EMTCT includes the scaling up of
intervention during Antenatal Clinic.

We need to prioritise and increase access to PreP products for pregnant and breastfeeding women. We
need to increase access to points of care for testing for HIV exposed infants and strengthen data
system,” she said.