Staff Writer
Marondera- The National Aids Council (NAC) has given bicycles to 92 HIV and Covid-19 awareness volunteers in Mashonaland East.
The bikes which were handed over at a recent ceremony in Marondera are expected to improve the volunteers` mobility as they discharge their duties.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Hon Apolonia Munzverengi who was represented by Director in her office Mr Muchemwa Mugwisi, said Government is happy that NAC is taking the National AIDS Trust Fund back to the community through the implementation of HIV prevention models that are community based.
NAC is currently implementing numerous models namely Sista 2 Sista, Brotha 2 Brotha, peer led model among others in the fight against HIV/ AIDS.
Minister Munzverengi said the peer led approach was in line with the country’s National AIDS Strategic plan 2021-2025.
“The community based peer led is also in line with the dictates of the country’s National Development Strategy 1 which focuses on capacitating communities to take the lead in pursuit of their development desires,” said Minister Munzverengi.
Minister Munzverengi commended NAC for investing $20 million this year towards the provision of school related subsidies to 1500 vulnerable children in the province who are benefitting school fees, exam fees, uniforms and stationery.
Currently NAC has 461 community volunteers in the province and they are all poised to get bikes which are being procured in batches.
Mashonaland East has an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 13.4% against a national prevalence rate of 14.6%.
Marondera district has the highest prevalence rate at 20.2% while UMP district has the lowest at 9.4%.
Currently 174 277 people are on Antiretroviral treatment.
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