Health Reporter
IN a move meant to improve the use of limited resources, Government in conjunction with its partners is in the process of drafting a national sexual and reproductive health and HIV and Aids linkages policy.

Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Principal Director Preventive Services Department Dr Gibson Mhlanga said the ministry carried out a rapid assessment programme last year and crafting of a national policy has since commenced.

“We have made so much progress since last year and we are hopeful that a national policy will soon be adopted. We are advocating for integrated SRH and HIV programme delivery and funding support,” said Dr Mhlanga.

UNFPA programme analyst on HIV Prevention Services Ms Daisy Nyamukapa said linking sexual health, reproductive and HIV and Aids issues would see the improvement of the uptake of services.

“Linking SRH and HIV issues reduces the frequency and costs of health-related appointments and at the same time will reduce duplication of programmes and competition for scarce resources,” Ms Nyamukapa said.
In 2006, 52 African countries, Zimbabwe included, adopted the Maputo Action Plan and committed themselves to the goal of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

According to World Health Organisation, a policy on sexual and reproductive health and HIV and Aids programmes strengthen linkages between the two programmes.

These linkages work in both directions, by integrating HIV and Aids issues into ongoing sexual and reproductive health programmes and conversely, sexual and reproductive health issues into HIV and Aids programmes.

This should enhance sexual and reproductive health, contribute to reversal of the Aids epidemic and mitigate its impact.
It says the importance of linking sexual and reproductive health and HIV is widely recognised that the international community agrees that the Millennium Development Goals will not be achieved without ensuring universal access to SRH and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.