SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO- As the country prepares for the unveiling of the 2026 national budget, Batanai HIV and AIDS Service Organisation (BHASO) is calling on policymakers to prioritise health funding in this year’s national budget.
BHASO said this will ensure sustainable progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS and addressing other health challenges facing the nation.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch on the sidelines of the just ended budget consultations BHASO Masvingo Provincial Programs Manager Kumbirai Prisca Mahaso said the increase in funding the health sector is to guarantee that essential health services, including HIV treatment and prevention are accessible to all.
She said the current health challenges require a robust and well-funded health system that can provide quality care to those in need.
“As BHASO, we are advocating for the increase of the country’s health budget because when we are looking at HIV as a disease, there is now what we call Advanced HIV.
“Our Hospitals are not well equipped to respond to the Advanced HIV infections. People are dying because our hospitals are not well equipped, for example, most of our hospitals do not have CD4 Count machines,” she said.
She said adequate funding for the health sector can have a significant impact on health outcomes in the country.
“We are also advocating for employment opportunities for the youths to curb drugs and substance abuse. Our youths need recreational facilities and employment opportunities to keep them occupied.
“Government should also offer resources to community-based organisations through domestic funding programmes so that community organisations can take a lead in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” she said.
Funded by COMPASS, the organisation’s theme was ‘More money for Advanced HIV disease management’. The organisation attended budget consultations in Chiredzi, Zaka and Ngundu .
BHASO is a non-governmental organisation based in Zimbabwe that provides various services to people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
Its main objective is to empower individuals to live positively with HIV and AIDS by providing treatment, care and support.
Founded in 1992, the organisation has been working tirelessly to support people living with HIV and AIDS and to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on communities.
