NEW START

Supported by Population Services International (PSI) Zimbabwe, client initiated testing and counselling is the foundation of the prevention of HIV. The goal of FACT New Start Centres in Manicaland and Mashonaland West Provinces is to improve the quality of life and reduce the incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV among susceptible groups and the general population. In 2014 FACT’s client initiated testing and counselling centres (Chinhoyi, Chipinge, Mutare & Chimanimani) recorded more than 50 000 clients who came to access testing and various counselling services. This programme targets the 15 – 49 age range. The following are the objectives of the programme:

  • To provide HIV testing and counselling services to the most at risk population in urban and hard to reach areas
  • To improve pregnancy planning, spacing and prevention of unintended pregnancies to women of child bearing age through provision of family planning services
  • To reduce cervical cancer with early detection and treatment of women who are or have been sexually active
  • To reduce psychological and medical complications to survivors of sexual abuse through counselling, collection of forensic evidence and treatment
  • To strengthen integration of sexual reproductive health services and external referral and tracking of clients for post-test support services.

In Mashonaland West Province, the programme is covering all wards in Kadoma, Chegutu, Zvimba, Makonde, Hurungwe and Kariba districts. FACT’s New Start programme has made the following positive strides since it started:

  • Establishment of offices for family planning, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera (VIAC) and gender based violence
  • Integration of Sexual Reproductive Health services, that is, family planning, cervical cancer screening, counselling and medical management of survivors of sexual abuse. FACT New Start Centres have become “One-stop-centres” where clients access different services under one roof, hence the demand for HIV Testing and Counselling has increased.
  • Successful transition from paper based to electronic data capturing using iPads

To attain the general goal of both the department and the organization, the following units are providing support to Health and HIV directly to the various communities where FACT works;
• HIV Testing and Counselling services (New Start)
• ART Program
• Youth Interventions
• Church Communities Programs
• HIV Care and Support to OVC and PLWHIV
• Mobile Populations Road-Wellness Clinic.
• Women’s Rights Interventions. Strategic Goal

Strategic Goal

Strengthen the capacity of communities to respond and cope with HIV, infectious and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), gender-based violence (GBV) and other health-related services through delivery of integrated services.

Strategic Objectives

  • To improve uptake of SRH, HTS and GBV services and products by young people (sex sex-disaggregated 10-24 by 30% by 2018.
    2016 – 2018
  • To increase number the of males (10-49 years) by 60% taking up prevention services by 2018.
  • To increase the uptake of SRH, HTS and GBV services by key populations (sex and KP disaggregated) 25% by 2018.
  • To increase the number of women & girls’ participation in leadership and decision-making processes at local level by 40% by 2018.
  • To improve uptake of SRH, HTS and GBV services by 15% of women by 2018