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Sharon Chigeza Mutare Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has joined the fight against HIV and Aids with the launch of a policy aimed at reducing the impact of the scourge on its members and their families. Speaking at the official launch of the ZRP HIV/Aids policy in Mutare recently, provincial officer commanding Manicaland assistant commissioner Dorothy Kupara said the ZRP recognised the seriousness of the disease and its effect in the workplace.

“Upon realising the seriousness of the HIV/Aids pandemic and its impact in the workplace, the ZRP has introduced this HIV/Aids policy. The main objectives of the policy are to prevent new HIV infections, to treat, care and support persons living with and or affected by HIV/Aids and to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of HIV/Aids,” said Asst Comm Kupara.

She aid police officers were at high risk of infection as they are sometimes exposed to the virus in the line of duty.
“As we conduct our operations, such as attending road accidents, being away on deployment we are at high risk of contracting HIV. As such, members must be advised of the advantages of Provider Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) or HIV Testing and Counselling should they suspect that they have been exposed to infection,” said Asst Comm Kupara.

The HIV policy was crafted in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) 90 90 90 strategy which aims at having 90 percent people living with HIV diagnosed, 90 percent of the diagnosed people to be on anti-retroviral treatment by 2020 and 90 percent of people in treatment with fully suppressed viral load by the same year.
The ZRP HIV policy draws its relevance from the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20, the Police Act Chapter 98 11:10, as well as the Police Medical and Dental Regulations (1968) and the HIV/AIDS Regulations (1998).

The policy is applicable to all officers appointed in terms of the Police Act and provides for the conducting of awareness campaigns, HIV testing and counselling, provider initiated testing and counselling, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and prevention strategies.