The Sunday Mail
Emmanuel Kafe
Young People Living with Human Immune Virus (YPL-HIV) have called on the Government to recognise that HIV/Aids and Covid-19 are co-existing and that prioritising one over the other will undermine efforts and milestones that have taken years to build in the fight against HIV stigma.
Through their advocacy group, Zimbabwe Young Positives (ZY+) they have urged authorities to identify strategies that are more flexible and more feasible for access to essential medicines and care for YPL-HIV during these uncertain times.
These deliberations were made during a media briefing addressed by ZY+ representatives and some young people living with HIV in Harare Wednesday.
ZY+ communication and advocacy assistant, Chido Katsiga, said there was a need for the involvement of young people in delivering HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) related services and in implementation of new strategies.
The national acting co-ordinator of the group, Kelvin Makura, said young people have been negatively affected by Covid-19 especially on access to treatment, support and sexual reproductive health services.
“This has brought a far-reaching impact, with devastating effects on individuals, communities, and societies across the world.
“Young people living with HIV were not spared from the negative impact,” he said.
Among the major challenges that YPL-HIV faced was limited access to services as most health facilities were closed due to the rising cases of Covid-19.
Young people living with HIV who were present said there was also shortage of ARVs especially for those on second and third-line regiments and had a torrid time accessing drugs at their nearest health facilities.
“There are instances where we were being referred to buy our drugs at private pharmacies,” said one of the young people, who requested not to be named.
Physiological issues driven by food and income security were also raised.
Most of the ZY+ survive on hand-to-mouth through the informal sector and could barely afford meals during lockdown which increased frustrations and affected their mental well-being.
But their biggest concern during lockdown was the involuntary disclosure of their status at police checkpoints which they say breached confidentiality.
“As a requirement to be granted a pass at the roadblock, YPL-HIV had to carry their medical cards which is a direct status disclosure.
“The involuntary disclosure bred harassment and embarrassment to the young people and threatened community exposure,” added Katsiga.
