HIV hits Matabeleland, Bulawayo more than other provinces – govt data

By Staff Reporter

The two Matabeleland and Bulawayo provinces have a higher HIV burden than other provinces in the country, data presented to parliament by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora indicates.

The situation is so dire that Matabeleland South, at 17,30 percent prevalence in 2023, is almost double that of Manicaland, which is at 9,40 percent.

Matabeleland North, the second highest, is at 14,50 percent prevalence with Bulawayo third, at 11,70 percent.

PROVINCE                                                                 HIV PREVALENCE %

• Matabeleland South                                          17.30%
• Matabeleland North                                          14.50%
• Bulawayo                                                            11.70%
• Midlands                                                             10.90%
• Masholaland Central                                          10.40%
• Mashonaland East                                                9.90%
• Mashonaland West                                               9.90%
• Masvingo                                                              9.60%
• Manicaland                                                            9.40%
• Harare                                                                   10.90%

Mombeshora had been asked by Emakhandeni-Luveve Collins Discent Bajila to present to parliament, the 2024 first quarter HIV prevalence province by province and to inform the House on measures in place to continue fighting the scourge after the lapse of PEPFAR Scheme.

Government compiles HIV prevalence statistics once a year and not quarterly.

The statistics presented in parliament by the minister relate to the period 1 January, 2023 to 31 December, 2023.

Asked by Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa to explain the cause of the discrepancies in HIV prevalence rates, Mombeshora could not explain it.

Mushoriwa also asked if government was rolling out programmes evenly among provinces.

“I am sorry to say I cannot give an adequate explanation for those discrepancies. 

“It is not that much of a discrepancy except in Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North where the percentage is 17,30 and 14,50 respectively.

“We have to get reports from those provinces through the Provincial Medical Directors. They give us their annual reports which then explain where they had these deficiencies so that corrective measures can be taken. 

“Otherwise, the programmes are run the same throughout all provinces.

“So, the uptake of programmes or the mobility of people on the ground may be challenges but I cannot give a specific answer for each province at the moment.”