Treatment, Care & Support

The Sub Sahara region continues to battle with the HIV and AIDS pandemic as the most affected region in the world. Zimbabwe had an estimated prevalence of HIV pegged at 13.6% in 2010. By the end of 2009, approximately 1,1 million people in the country were living with HIV and AIDS. Although the estimated annual AIDS deaths decreased from 123,000 in 2006 to 84,000 at the end of 2009, AIDS remains a leading cause of death in Zimbabwe.

The dual epidemic of TB and HIV also continues to be a major factor in morbidity and mortality among PLHIV, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, undermining efforts to prevent and control HIV. In Zimbabwe and it is estimated that approximately 80% of TB cases are co-infected with HIV. It is estimated that 25% of all children in Zimbabwe are orphaned due to AIDS.

HIV Treatment and Care Services
Comprehensive HIV care services

Comprehensive Treatment, Care & Support Programme

The country has set a comprehensive treatment, care and support programme in order to mitigate the effects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The treatment, care and support programme focus on provision of comprehensive services that address the medical, social and emotional needs of PLHIV.

The objectives of the programme are to:

Reduce HIV related morbidity and mortality

Improve the survival of PLHIV

Improve the quality of life of PLHIV

Treatment Package Components

Comprehensive HIV testing and counselling

Including diagnostic testing and counselling; client initiated counselling and testing (CICT) and provider initiated testing and counselling (PITC)

Provision of quality health care

In health institutions, in the community and in the homes

Psychosocial support

For infected persons and their families

Prevention, diagnosis and treatment

Of opportunistic infections and HIV-associated malignancies

Prevention, care and management

Of TB/HIV co-infection

Prophylaxis for preventable infections

In HIV-infected persons

Nutritional care and support

Comprehensive nutritional support services

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Access to life-saving medication

STI control and prevention

And family planning services

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

For occupational exposure to HIV and post exposure prophylaxis for occupational exposure and victims of rape

Legal protection against stigma

Mitigating the impact of HIV infection through legal instruments against stigma and discrimination

Community-based interventions

Implementing interventions for mitigating against the socio-economic and psychological impact of HIV on individuals, families, communities and society at large

Programme Documents

For more information on the treatment, care and support programme refer to the attached programme documents below.

Document Size Action
Zimbabwe HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Operational and Service Delivery Manual 810.76 KB Download
Zimbabwe HIV and AIDS Job Aid 131.78 KB Download
Differentiated Care Services Operational Manual 448.4 KB Download
National HIV Care and Treatment Strategic Plan 2013-2017 1.16 MB Download
Zimbabwe National Antiretroviral Therapy Guidelines 2013 364.8 KB Download
Zimbabwe Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis 2018-2022 836.23 KB Download
Zimbabwe Paediatric HIVDR Survey 2012 - Cover 69.68 KB Download
ZIMBABWE PMTCT ANNUAL REPORT 2012 1.14 MB Download
ZIMBABWE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE PLAN 2014 854.08 KB Download
ZIMBABWE STI GUIDELINES MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE 2012 1.01 MB Download
ZIMBABWE VOLUNTARY MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION POLICY 2014 676.97 KB Download
Caring from within Zimbabwe (HBC findings and policy recommendations) 687.11 KB Download
WFP NSART final 630.38 KB Download
National Community and Home Based Care Strategy Cover 126.92 KB Download
National Community and Home Based Care Strategy 1.5 MB Download