Published by the government of Zimbabwe
7 August 2008
Harare — GOVERNMENT has called for more financial support for home-based care activities, which remain pivotal in caring for people living with HIV and Aids especially in areas where there is limited access to anti-retroviral drugs.
In a foreword to the report launched yesterday during the ongoing International Aids Conference in Mexico City titled: Caring From Within, Health and Child Welfare Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa called on donor agencies to continue supporting HBC activities in the country.
"HBC activities need to be adequately equipped so that timely and high quality care is delivered to those in need.
"That is why it is important for the government, the private sector and funding agencies to partner with civil society and to provide significant funding to these projects," said Dr Parirenyatwa.
According to the report compiled by the Southern Africa HIV and Aids Information Dissemination Service, Health and Development Networks and Irish Aid, urgent steps are needed to recognise and support the volunteers' role.
Programmes that integrate health, economic and social services, including water and sanitation facilities, are required to respond to the needs of infected and affected people, says the report.
"Despite the burdens being faced by caregivers in Zimbabwe, HBC is still one of the most cost-effective ways to deal with illness in the context of a crumbling health system," reads part of the report.
It further says volunteers face the burden of care because programme implementers fail to supply them with basic essentials such as simple medications, soap or even gloves despite the fact that some of them are living positively with HIV and Aids.
"As a result, the role of this vital national resource is now largely limited to providing psychological support."
Commenting on the report, Ireland's Minister of State for Overseas Development Mr Peter Power said documentation of HBC work in Zimbabwe is a significant step in sharpening donors' programming priorities.
"Reducing the impact of HIV and Aids on communities in developing countries is a priority for Irish Aid and documenting lessons learned is an essential component to shaping effective responses," said Mr Power.
To learn more about the evolution and effectiveness of HBC in the country, Irish Aid engaged SafAids and HDN to assess and document current best practices within HBC programmes in the country.
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