We invited Zanu (PF), ZAPU, MDC-M and the MDC led by Zimbabwe Prime Minister, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai. Only one political party out of four responded. Anyway, we would like to thank the MDC led by the Prime Minister Morgan for responding to our invitation, said one of the organizers.
In Zimbabwe about 5000 AIDS related deaths occur every week. Provincial Organising Secretary, responsible for Bulawayo Province in the MDC, Doubt Nyoni, who naturally became the guest of honour said:
We are one in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic that knows no race, colour, tribe, background or relation. We unite with the communities, organisations and individuals in this plight that has ransacked our families and homes leaving widows and orphans. The MDC calls upon the inclusive Government to ensure that the rights of the people are protected and well guarded to stop the spread of this deadly virus.
A major talking point was the stern call by the ZCTU to abusive employers. The labour bodies condemned the abuse of employees who are living with HIV/AIDS.
Employers should not dismiss or demote workers who disclose their HIV status. We have had many incidents where bosses are criminalising employees for merely being truthful about their health condition. As I speak many shop floor comrades who are living with HIV/AIDS have been put on half pay. The worst cases have seen instances where talking about HIV and AIDS is considered an abomination, said Mrs Nomathemba Mathonsi, a member of the Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union.
ZCTU Western Region Organising Secretary, Ambrose Sibindi, pointed out that the ZCTUs health message against HIV/AIDS targetted community leaders, sports people, trade unionists, journalists, haulage truck drivers and priests among others. He reiterated a theme by Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council to youths, which says, No gift or money is worth your life. Stay free from HIV and AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancies.
The MDC noted that the millennium goals cannot be achieved without availability of anti-retroviral treatment. The inaccessible drug situation has exacerbated the conditions of those living with HIV/AIDS. Access to ARV drugs remains low with a national cover of only 40 percent of adults and 57 percent for children. The prevalence rate remains high at 13.7 percent for adults aged 15 to 49 years, reducing the life expectancy rate as well as the rate of development in our nation, said the MDC statement.
Removal of the stigma of AIDS, encouragement of voluntary testing and counselling, spreading the word about the danger of unprotected sex and multiple sex partnerships are critical issues that health practitioners and their patients must take up seriously. This includes access to anti-retroviral treatment, which so far has been largely and corruptly reserved for those with Zanu (PF) relatives and connections.
The United Nations has it on record that President Robert Mugabes Operation Murambatsvina put people living with HIV/AIDS at risk. In addition, the media has not been silent about the spread of the virus in Zanu (PF)s Border Gezi Youth Militia training camps. Furthermore, women raped by Zanu (PF) members in Mugabes violent campaign to retain power in 2008, and who got infected with HIV as a result, have internationalised their case.
Post published in: News