DAPP Zimbabwe offically launched a new 3-year project to reduce TB and HIV in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe. The project which works together with TB Alert will be running in rural Chimanimani and Mutasa districts where rates of diagnosis and treatment for TB and HIV are low.
Using a model developed in-line with the WHO’s ENGAGE-TB approach; which calls for the integration of community-based TB and HIV services; the project aims to turn the tide. Speaking at the official launch DAPP Zimbabwe chairman IB Hansen said the project will make use of the successful TCE model’s door to door outreach model where :
- 40,000 people with recieve rapid HIV test
- 9,000 sputum samples will be collected at the doorstep
Through the project, DAPP Zimbabwe will recruit and train community volunteers to carry out door-to-door visits towards reaching 75,000 households with awareness messages. DAPP will provide TB-HIV training for community leaders as a way of cascading information to the wider community. The project will raise TB-HIV awareness through cultural activities such as street theatre or sporting events.