Published: 2 hours ago

Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora has warned that private health facilities that fail to submit data on Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) programs risk being shut down.

He issued the warning on Wednesday during a meeting of the National Validation Committee (NVC) for the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B.

"We need the data for planning purposes. So, it cannot be a matter of choice to supply data. It must be mandatory. Those who do not want to supply data, we have to close them. Simple," Dr. Mombeshora said.

His remarks followed revelations by the Ministry's National PMTCT and Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment Coordinator, Dr. Angela Mushavi, that the private sector has consistently failed to share crucial data with the government.

Dr. Mushavi noted that while Zimbabwe has reduced MTCT rates to 6.48 percent in 2024, down from 8.1 percent last year, the absence of private sector data continues to undermine national programming.

"Data collection from the private sector is still an issue. Private facilities are seeing pregnant women, testing and treating them, but we don't have that data. If our figures only speak to what's happening in the public sector, what about those using the private sector? They are also Zimbabweans," she said.

She added that despite repeated discussions, private facilities have not complied, stressing the need for action. Some participants at the meeting, however, argued that excessive paperwork had discouraged private players from reporting.

Dr. Mombeshora also used the platform to call on men to support their partners during pregnancy, urging them to accompany women to antenatal care and testing.
"Triple EMTCT is not just about women — it is about families. Please support your partners. If you don't, you risk the ladies renaming ANC to ‘Always No Chaps,'" he quipped.

On a more serious note, the minister acknowledged progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission and combating related infections, but urged stakeholders to redouble efforts.
"HIV prevalence is declining, and MTCT has dropped to 6.5%, moving steadily toward our target of less than 5% by 2026. Nearly all pregnant women are now tested and treated for syphilis, and efforts for Hepatitis B elimination are gathering momentum — though more work is needed, especially on testing and the birth-dose vaccine," he said.

The triple elimination program seeks to reduce MTCT rates of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B to below five percent, a milestone Zimbabwe is aiming to achieve by 2026.
- Health Times

You might also want to read this

• Mnangagwa's office warns line ministries