THE Zimbabwe National Network for People Living with HIV and Aids (ZNNP+) has urged State universities and polytechnic colleges to take a cue from Midlands State University (MSU) and set up their own on-site anti-retroviral drug (ARV) distribution centres to cater for HIV-positive students.
BY MUNESU NYAKUDYA
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of a media sensitisation workshop in Macheke last Thursday, ZNNP+ executive director Dagobert Mureriwa applauded MSU for being a torch-bearer in ensuring students have easy access to the life-saving drugs.
“I think they have gone a step forward by being the first anti-retroviral therapy certified rollout site that provides ARV therapy support to students. This, I think, is a noble thing that would ensure students can actually concentrate on their academic work,” Mureriwa said.
“A lot of students are actually spending a lot of their time going to the nearest ARV therapy dispensing centres to collect their medication. So we are basically challenging the government and National Aids Council of Zimbabwe to document the model that is coming through the support of the MSU leadership so that it can be implemented at national level.”
Mureriwa described access to ARVs or access to health as a fundamental basic right, hence the need to ensure that every student gets comprehensive sexual reproductive health.
“We are also, as a network, pushing for the government to consider the provision of sanitary wear to students, especially those who are unable to procure the stuff, because this provides a lot of self-esteem and confidence for one to actually concentrate on their education,” he said.
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Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe National Students’ Union spokesperson Zivai Mhetu said failure by many State and privately-run educational institutions to provide ARV collection booths within their campuses fuelled stigmatisation.
“According to World Health Organisation standards, a well-functioning health system includes access to both essential and chronic medicines, which is to say ARVs must be within students’ locality, that is in campuses and at a price within the reach of all,” Mhetu said.
“Considering that leadership and governance is another building block, we call upon the government of Zimbabwe to prioritise working towards achieving a well-functioning health system through opening ARV collection centres on campuses.”
