MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (SHURUNGWI) LAUNCHES ZVANDIRI SUPPORT GROUP

MIDLANDS PROVINCE,ZIMBABWE-Recently, Africaid ?Zvandiri? in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Department of Child Welfare & Protection Services and the local community established a support group for children and adolescents living with HIV at Tongogara Clinic which is located about 40 kilometres out of Shurugwi town in Midlands Province,Zimbabwe.

A total number of 36 children and adolescents, Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Officers, officals from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (Shurugwi District), Department of Child Welfare and Protection Services Officers, Community Case Care Workers (CCCWs),Child Protection Committee members and Care givers attended the launch of the support group.

In addition to this, the training of CCCWs also contributed meaningfully to the establishment. A follow up visit was made to the clinic in May 2015 during the training of CCCWs for Shurugwi Rural. Trained CCCWs from the area also worked with Village Health Workers in mobilizing children.

The support group members will meet once every month at the clinic and it is felt that this will go a long way in building the confidence of these children and adolescents so that they live happy,healthy and fulfilled lives.