The National Aids Council (NAC) in Masvingo is set to hold a golf tournament on the 2nd of June to raise funds for the purchase of 12 cancer screening machines.
With only two of the public hospitals in Masvingo equipped with cancer screening machines, patients are forced to travel long distances as they seek services.
The NAC in Masvingo, has thus organised a golf tournament, where they are targeting to raise $60 000.
NAC Provincial Coordinator Mr Edgar Muzulu said once the target is met his organisation will add an equal amount to make it $120 000, which will be enough to purchase the 12 machines.
“We want to buy at least 12 machines to make the burden lighter for people in the province. People are forced to travel long distances to the two hospitals with the screening machines and we are saying we can’t let that trend continue,” said Mr Muzulu.
Focusing on their intervention programmes for HIV and AIDS, Mr Muzulu indicated that they are currently targeting young commercial sex workers.
He said the aim is to ensure that by 2020, 90 percent of the population is aware of their status and that 90 percent of those living with HIV and AIDS are on treatment.
“Our intervention programmes are mostly targeting the youths at the moment, including commercial sex workers who are scattered all over the province,” he added.
Under-age commercial sex workers are proving to be a difficult group to reach as they operate in secrecy.
……….ZBC………….