Health Reporter
The National AIDS Council (NAC) has taken a significant step forward in addressing the growing concern of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the elderly population living with HIV and AIDS.
Recent research conducted by NAC revealed an alarming increase in NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension among this demographic over the past few years.
According to Edgar Muzulu, Mashonaland Central provincial manager for NAC,
“Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Southern and Eastern Africa that has successfully initiated and rolled out anti-retroviral treatment (ART) over the past decades.”
However, he noted that despite this progress, “we have realised that over the years, the elderly who are on ART are now being diagnosed with NCDs such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.”
To combat this challange, NAC has integrated NCD treatment into its HIV/AIDS programs for the elderly in Mashonaland Central. This comprehensive approach aims to provide holistic care for individuals living with HIV and AIDS.
Key Initiatives:
- Community Health Worker Empowerment: Community health workers have been trained and equipped with medical equipment to screen for hypertension and diabetes.
- Referral System: Those in need of medical assistance are referred to professionals.
- Integrated Treatment: NCD treatment is now incorporated into HIV/AIDS care for the elderly.
As Muzulu emphasized, “We have trained our community health workers to screen for hypertension and diabetes and refer those needing medical assistance to professionals.”
This integrated approach is crucial in addressing the emerging threat of NCDs among the elderly population living with HIV and AIDS.
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