The United States-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention raised concern that institutions had not utilised the funding, despite Zimbabwe being one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. “Churches need to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure they secure funding for hospitals and clinics. We continue to observe assistance going to other African countries or to Harare. Now is the time to grab hold of these opportunities,” said an official.
PEPFAR, initiated 10 years ago, is a United States government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from the scourge around the world.
This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally.
According to PEPFAR, Zimbabwe has a severe, mature, generalized HIV epidemic and ranks fifth in the world in HIV prevalence-13.7 percent.
While expansion of prevention activities and clinical services delivery for HIV/AIDS within the country is the responsibility of the government, current economic realities hamper such initiatives.
A prominent United States-based doctor, Ephraim Gwebu, pledged to help the churches apply for funding. “I am willing to work with the hospital personnel in writing proposals. I look forward to a response soon so that we can take advantage of the funding opportunity,” he said.
Post published in: News