Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - A clinic in Mabvuku, Harare, Zimbabwean, is treating between 18 and 20 patients for s3xually transmitted infections (STIs) every day, with health workers reporting that about 40 percent of those patients are HIV-positive.
The figures were disclosed by Scottland Medical Centre and
Maternity general practitioner Albert Mudarikwa during a recent tour of the
facility, highlighting concerns over STI infections in Harare, particularly
among young adults. “At the moment, we are seeing a high number of STI cases on
a daily basis, with about 18 to 20 patients presenting with STIs,” Mudarikwa
said.
The clinic provides free services and conducts community
outreach programmes focused on STI prevention, testing and early treatment.
Mudarikwa said patients presenting with STIs are also routinely offered HIV
screening. “Usually, when patients present with STIs, we first screen them for
HIV because people living with HIV may be more vulnerable to certain
infections, including STIs,” he explained.
According to Mudarikwa, at least 40 percent of STI patients
seen at the facility are HIV-positive, while at least half are HIV-negative. He
also reported that about 20 percent of young adults aged 18 to 24 have
chlamydia, gonorrhoea or trichomoniasis.
The clinic has been using community outreach programmes to
encourage prevention, testing and prompt treatment, with health workers seeking
to increase awareness about s3xually transmitted infections. “We need to raise
awareness about sexually transmitted infections and the importance of
prevention, early testing and treatment,” Mudarikwa said.
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