Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)- National AIDS Council (NAC) has introduced an HIV/AIDS moonlight testing program to accommodate people who cannot get tested during the day.
Moonlight testing involves HIV testing at night and is designed to cater for people who cannot get tested during the day because of work commitments and others who are afraid to get tested during daylight
So far, Chitungwiza, Epworth and Ruwa, have already started the moonlight programme obtaining good results of people getting HIV testing during the night than those getting testing during the day.
Speaking during an HIV/AIDS media tour of Harare Province recently, NAC Harare AIDS coordinator Mr Adonijah Muzondiona said the programme has produced high yields compared to people getting tested during the day.
“A high percentage of people getting HIV tested at night has been recorded as compared to those tested during the day”
According to statistics gathered from Harare Province, for the second quarter of 2017, 28 percent of HIV positive cases from Epworth/Ruwa were recorded during the night, compared to 8, 9 percent cases recorded during the day.
32 percent of HIV positive cases from Chitungwiza were recorded during the night compared to 5, 2 percent cases recorded during the day.
In Harare, NAC recorded 26 percent of HIV positive cases compared to 2, 2 percent recorded during the day.
Muzondiona said the moonlight testing through musical gala have proved effective from the results obtained so far.
“Provinces are making use of musical galas to attract and lure more people to get HIV tested and it has proved effective as more people are getting tested during the night.
Ministry of Health and Child Care has revealed that, of the 1, 2
million people estimated living with HIV in Zimbabwe, only 66 percent of them know their HIV status.
Government has remained committed to ensuring that people get HIV tested and know their HIV status.
New Ziana
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