Despite
a mandate to eradicate HIV/AIDS under the UN Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs), Zimbabwe has done little or nothing to reduce the rate of
infection among vulnerable gays and lesbians, say activists here. The
MDGs are eight goals agreed to by all UN member states and all leading
international development institutions to be achieved by the target date
of 2015.
These goals range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education.Gays and lesbians activists here say more needs to be done because population groups such as men who have sex with men and transgender people remain at the periphery of the country’s intervention strategies.
Minority
“In as far as combatting HIV/AIDS is concerned, there are no national programmes targeted for minority groups or interventions that can easily be accessible by the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community on prevention and care within the public health care system,”Samuel Matsikure, Programme Manager of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), told IPS.
“Whether the Zimbabwean Government likes it or not, it has to face the reality that gays and lesbians exist and should therefore cater for their HIV/AIDS needs in emerging with strategies to combat HIV/AIDS just like it does for all other citizens, for how do we end the scourge if we ignore another group of people who will certainly spread the disease” a civil society activist Trust Mhindo told IPS.
“There are knowledge gaps of health care workers on the needs and best methods on prevention, treatment and care for the HIV positive LGBTI individuals,” adds Matsikure.
SOURCE :Times of Swaziland
These goals range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education.Gays and lesbians activists here say more needs to be done because population groups such as men who have sex with men and transgender people remain at the periphery of the country’s intervention strategies.
Minority
“In as far as combatting HIV/AIDS is concerned, there are no national programmes targeted for minority groups or interventions that can easily be accessible by the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community on prevention and care within the public health care system,”Samuel Matsikure, Programme Manager of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), told IPS.
“Whether the Zimbabwean Government likes it or not, it has to face the reality that gays and lesbians exist and should therefore cater for their HIV/AIDS needs in emerging with strategies to combat HIV/AIDS just like it does for all other citizens, for how do we end the scourge if we ignore another group of people who will certainly spread the disease” a civil society activist Trust Mhindo told IPS.
“There are knowledge gaps of health care workers on the needs and best methods on prevention, treatment and care for the HIV positive LGBTI individuals,” adds Matsikure.
SOURCE :Times of Swaziland
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