-
Cathrine Murombedzi HIV Walk
I was in Kasanze village, Zvimba, early this month for the unveiling of my grandparents’ tombstones. The occasion was filled with joy as the family met to honour two of the most important people in our family. It was all joy with no weeping. The village headman, our neighbours and teachers -
Catherine Murombedzi HIV Walk
Mbuya Lucy is over 75 and has been on ART for the last eight years.
She lost her husband a long time ago before the advent of the HIV/Aids pandemic and has not remarried neither has she had a sexual relationship.
“I have been ill for some years and it was only in 2004 that my daughter who works as a nurse at Mutare General Hospital took me for some tests at her workplace. She asked me to take an HIV test since I had been looking after one of my daughters who unfortunately passed away,” said Mbuya Lucy. -
Cathrine Murombedzi HIV Walk
The Ncube family of Glen View in Harare is in mourning. They recently lost their mother, who was HIV positive, to cervical cancer.
The eldest daughter who declined to be named called on HIV positive women to go for routine cervical cancer tests.
She said her mother had overcome the HIV diagnosis and it was sad to lose her to cancer a decade after testing HIV positive.
“We expected to lose our mother back then but she survived.
“She was lucky to be one of the first patients to be initiated on ART when the free Government programme was rolled out at Harare Hospital in 2004.
“She survived the dark days and for us to lose her now is a very sad chapter in our lives. -
Ruvimbo is a troubled soul. She regrets having accompanied a sick relative to a local clinic where she gladly underwent an HIV test. Health facilities offer HIV testing to patients and those accompanying a sick relative.
-
-
TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Annah Sango (AS), is a Zimbabwean and living with HIV. She spoke during the opening session of the XIX International Aids Conference at in Washington, DC, on July 22. Annah sees women bearing the brunt of HIV and Aids, amidst societal and cultural abuse which puts them at increased risk. Cathrine Mwauyakufa (CM) engaged her on this and other issues.
CM: Who is Annah Sango?
AS: Annah is a 24-year-old mother of a four-year-old-boy, she loves life and she is adventurous.
CM: What keeps you going? -
Zambia has similar health programmes to Zimbabwe yet the neighbouring country has managed to supply ARVs to 80 percent of people needing them thereby achieving universal access. Zambia sometimes has drug stockouts and patients get two weeks supplies instead of a month’s supply when stocks are low.
-
Catherine Murombedzi HIV Walk
Entering one’s teen years is an anxious time for many as they grow up. For Rumbi it is a time that is stressful. The girl, now 18, is ready to date but hesitant to do so.
Many a girl of her age would have already be dating by this age. However, Rumbi’s situation is far more complicated than that of regular teenagers as she was born HIV positive and only got to know about in when she was 12. -
BEHAVIOURAL change is still a topical issue and the question that many continue to ask is whether people have changed their sexual behaviour or not?
At national level, I want to believe there is some behaviour change worth noting which has seen the HIV prevalence rate of HIV going down to 15 percent from 26 percent a decade ago. -
-
LONG-distance relationships pose a threat to the lives of couples in such unions.
-
ACCEPTANCE is the first step to healing when one tests HIV positive. Testing HIV positive comes as a shock to most people and a sense of bewilderment engulfs one as confusion reigns supreme at that time.
-
I have been to various farms around Mashonaland West. The way both men and women exchange one spouse for another, get married and begin “a new life” is shocking.
A woman can get married to three husbands in a row in one year and no one bates an eyelid.
I had an encounter with a woman who has five children from five different fathers and claims it is not her fault as she was driven by the need to find a home for her kids.
The woman I spoke to was happy to be identified and here is her story.
“I got married at the age 14 to a tractor driver since he could provide for me. I come from a big -
POSITIVE living means adhering to a nutritious diet. Most of today’s foods are refined and therefore one needs to take a closer look at the food they eat in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As sadza is our staple food, straight run meal (mugaiwa) is recommended. This has all the nutrients and the roughage required for constant movement of the bowels.
-
-
CHURCHES have come together in their response to the HIV pandemic. This was reflected by the number of people who represented different churches at a candle light memorial service for those who perished due to Aids-related illnesses. The opening prayer was led by Mai Apostle Tegwe of the Apostolic Mission Church and her husband who is also an apostle.
The memorial service, which is held in the third week of May, was hosted by South West South, a convergence of people living positively in Mufakose, Glen View and Highfield in Harare. Candles burning brightly in the dark Budiriro Community Hall brought testimonies of those who have survived to this day, thanks to ARVs. -
Tariro had not taken an HIV test all her life because, apart from the occasional headache and flu, she did not suffer from any life-threatening illnesses.
With the radio, television and even the church talking about the need to know one’s HIV status she did not hesitate to be tested when a mobile testing unit visited her community one day. But she now rues the day she made that decision.
Today Tariro is depressed. She has changed from the happy outgoing lady to a shadow of her former self.
“I was a healthy woman all my life. I am a mother of five and have three grandchildren. I used to get the occasional headache and cold, but nothing serious to warrant an HIV test,” said Tariro. -
Hepatitis B and renal failure remain a threat to people living with HIV.
A lot of people do not know that they need to be screened for Hepatitis B.
Quality access to health services still remains difficult if not a mirage to people living with HIV.
Martha Tholanah, an activist and co-ordinator of International Community of Women Living with HIV, ICW Zimbabwe Chapter, said access to health services still remains difficult.
It does not mean that when one has commenced ARVs that is the end.
- Home
- Archives
- Murombedzi Cathrine