Report by Inspector Crispen Marara
Zimbabwe Republic Police ( ZRP) HIV Conference was held at Montclair Hotel in Nyanga , Zimbabwe on 15-16 June 2016. The aim of conference was to review HIV policy document which will enable us to reduce harm in the community especially to the vulnerable groups. The conference was attended by 54 ZRP officers , 1 representative from National AIDS Council & 1 representative from Ministry of Health & Child Welfare.
Country Focal Person , Inspector Crispen Marara gave an opening presentation highlighting the objective of conference which was to review HIV policy. Highlights of objectives were to adopt a proactive and preventive stance towards the management of ill health among employees and vulnerable groups , to provide an enabling environment for police force employees and vulnerable groups to make lifestyle choices that are beneficial to their health and well-being , to provide those affected by ill health with optimal support to manage their conditions in a confidential manner and to come up with HIV policy ( Wellness ) Committee and peer educators ( wellness champions). LEAHN CFP , Inspector Marara reiterated that HIV and its associated opportunistic infections notably Tuberculosis are a national challenge and as such the police force is committed to provision of comprehensive HIV/TB management programme that focuses on , but not limited to the following interventions;
- Health promotion and awareness on safe lifestyles
- Compliance to national guidelines
- Voluntary counselling and testing services
- Provision of treatment & monitoring options with the working environment as outlined in the HIV/TB management procedure
- Establishment of mutually beneficial partnership with public & private organisations involved in management of HIV/TB at district , provincial & national
In closing there was need to continue partnering with various stakeholders such as Ministry Of Health & National AIDS Council to achieve our goals.
