The Sunday News
Midlands Musiiwa, Midlands Bureau
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) has enhanced the fight against HIV and Aids by employing multiple intervention strategies to curb new infections among tertiary students amid reports that the country has witnessed a surge in new infections among university and college students.
Ministry of Health and Child Care and National Aids Council (Nac) recently expressed concern over the surge of new infections among students at tertiary institutions. MSU, which has a student enrolment of more than 22 000, has introduced a compulsory module across all disciplines as well as setting up a resource centre for HIV and Aids.
MSU director of information and public relations Mrs Mirirai Mawere said the Gweru-based institution had made strides in addressing issues to do with HIV and Aids in an endeavour to reduce the risk among students.
“Midlands State University attached a lot of value to the health of its students as evidenced by the number of interventions that are put in place to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting HIV. Information dissemination is key to those interventions and is done through several vehicles that include talk shows, debates, drama, distribution of pamphlets, brochures and flyers. In addition to that the university prioritises abstinence which is preached at every convenient forum including lectures. However, for those who fail to abstain, condoms are available 24/7 in the clinics, halls of residence and any other convenient places,” she said.
Mrs Mawere said the university had also fully embraced, adapted and adopted the country’s 90/90/90 policy where HIV counselling and testing programmes are available as well as viable treatment centres. She said it was a myth that MSU students were exhibiting a reckless sexual behaviour in the Midlands capital.
“For other tests, to complete the other 90, we conveniently work well with surrounding laboratories and hospitals. The university disputes the notion that it has high infection rates as these do not reflect in our statistics.
“Contrary to the assertion that Gweru has high infection rates, a significant reduction has taken place over the years. Let us also not forget that a research conducted by Nac sometime back revealed that sex workers decorate their market value by insinuating that they are university students, a trap that attracts clients for them,” she said.
Mrs Mawere said MSU had remained committed to empowering students with adequate information that help them make informed decisions about their sexual issues.
“There is also a module that is taught across all disciplines that has a lot of content in HIV and aids issues.
“In addition to the above mentioned interventions the university has a strong HIV and Aids policy that guides all interventions and programmes related to HIV. This policy is available on the university website,” she said.
