By Cimba Shepherd Nhamo
Zimbabwe’s newly-appointed 14-member National AIDS Council (NAC) board has been tasked with the crucial responsibility of strengthening collaboration and partnerships in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora urged the board to build strong relationships with all stakeholders including the government, civil society, communities, and international partners in the fightagainst HIV and AIDS. He emphasised the importance of working together to achieve the country’s goals in the fight against the pandemic.
“The board should ensure that NAC fulfills its mandate as enshrined in the National AIDS Council of Zimbabwe Act,” Minister Mombeshora said. “This includes coordinating, overseeing, and spearheading the national response to HIV and AIDS.”
The board’s chairperson, Mrs. Nester Mukwehwa, and vice chairperson, Advocate Tapson Dzvetero, will be leading the team. Other members include experts from various fields such as healthcare, journalism, and social workers
Minister Mombeshora reminded the board of the importance of their role in coordinating Zimbabwe’s response to HIV and AIDS. He encouraged them to be innovative and forward-thinking in their leadership and to prioritize transparency, accountability and team work.
“Your decisions and actions will determine the Council’s ability to deliver meaningful programs so as to achieve HIV and AIDS national targets and global requirements,” he said.
The main goals of the board are to strengthen partnerships and to work with others in the fight against HIV. It is also tasked to improve services and to ensure that people get the help they need. They must also deliver results and make sure that their efforts are making a difference.
Mrs. Mukwehwa expressed her excitement to work with the talented team and also promised to build on the progress made by the previous board.
“I am excited to work with this talented team and be led by Dr. Madzima,”she said. “We will work together with all stakeholders to achieve our national goals. I would like to thank the outgoing chair and the outgoing board members for their leadership and dedication to this cause.”
NAC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Madzima, welcomed the new board and assured them that the management is always ready to work together to achieve it’s goals.
“The board is important in terms of giving direction to the management, the policy level, and the strategic level,” he said. “We have accepted this huge responsibility as management to stay guided by your academics, and I am sure that the old board members would attest to the fact that management at NAC is ready to get that guidance to work together.”
The appointment of the new board is a significant step forward in Zimbabwe’s commitment in fight against HIV and AIDS. Owing to their combined expertise and experience, the board is well equipped to tackle the challenges ahead and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by the disease.
