The Harare City Council in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund today launched a 24 hour sexual gender-based violence clinic that will ensure free emergency care for survivors.
Speaking t the official launch, city health services director, Dr. Prosper Chonzi, said the clinic will remove barriers to access health care by survivors of sexual gender-based violence as well as providing HIV services such as testing and counselling.
Dr. Chonzi said the launch had been necessitated by the unavailability of such a facility as local clinics were only providing services between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday only.
He said sexual gender-based violence was a serious problem mostly affecting women with approximately one in 3 women mostly aged between 15 and 49 years being victims. Most of the violence occurs during the night and weekends when clinics are closed.
The gender-based violence clinic was officially open Thursday in Harare. (Photo: Mavis Gama)
National AIDS Council provincial manager, Adonija Muzondiowona, said the 24-hour clinic would be key in addressing HIV problems among victims of sexual gender-based violence.
The NAC has embarked on awareness campaign to urge victims of sexual violence to go to clinics within 72 hours.
Harare resident Watmore Phiri said the clinic would be critical in fighting HIV/AIDS.
The Harare Metropolitan Residents co-chairmen, Israel Mabhoo, commended council for opening the clinic.
NPFA country representative, Cheik Tidiane Cisse, and Deputy Health Care Minister Adlrin Musiiwa attended the launch.
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Harare Gender Based Sexual Violence Clinic by Irwin Chifera