NASCOH diversifies into sexual and reproductive health for people with disabilities

Since January 2014, NASCOH, in conjunction with 5 of its member organisations  has trained 1 650 PWDs as HIV and AIDS peer counsellors in 30 of Zimbabwe’s 63 districts under the auspices of the UNDP and NAC in an innovative project on “Addressing critical gaps in in HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support in Zimbabwe”. The project debuted with trainings being held in 24 districts in 8 provinces in 2014, was increased to 30 districts in 10 provinces in 2015, and, originally scheduled to end in December 2016, was extended to December 2017 and has further been extended to encompass an additional 30 districts to end in 2020. The project combines all the elements of strengthening service quality, improving community-based interventions,  adding services for underserved populations,  introducing disability human rights, new service delivery protocols, and training in disability inclusion for service providers.

NASCOH Programme Coordinator Lovemore Rambiyawo left conducts an HIV and AIDS training workshop for for PWDs in Bindura Mashonaland Central District

NASCOH Programme Coordinator Lovemore Rambiyawo left conducts an HIV and AIDS training workshop for for PWDs in Bindura Mashonaland Central District

Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), upped the ante by partnering with NASCOH in a one year disabiity sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and family planning (FP) project  in which  PSZ has trained PWD focal persons in all provinces in SRH and FP ,has had its 9 outreach teams trained in disability inclusion, has made its facilities accessible to PWDs countrywide and is providing FP services to PWDs in 30 districts. This is the only disability health project in Zimbabwe that has potential for vertical and horizontal functional upscaling.