Published by the government of Zimbabwe
27 February 2008
Harare — The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare was last week urged to adopt a multi-sectoral approach in making the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) drug accessible to sexually abused people across the country.
PEP is an anti-retroviral drug given to rape victims within 72 hours to prevent possible exposure to HIV infection. Speaking at a workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Women Resource Centre Network in Harare, ZWRCN programmes officer Ms Sylvia Shekede said lack of co-ordination in the distribution of ARVs was negatively affecting ordinary people.
"We are calling upon the relevant ministry to formulate policies that cater for every one regardless of age. Some organisations which support rape victims cater for children under the age of 16 years only. "Health workers who face the greatest risk of exposure to HIV infection are not using PEP drugs which are left to expire in most cases," she said. Health workers who suffer needle pricks only make use of PEP in health institutions. A research carried out by the ZWRCN for the period 2005-January 2008 shows that only 27 health workers had accessed the drug - one in Shurugwi, three in Gwanda and 23 in Chitungwiza.
"Some people are getting infection after failing to access PEP and yet the drug is lying idle in different health institutions," Ms Shekede said. She said the drug must be made available in supermarkets especially for rape victims who have limited access to PEP.
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