A clinic in Mabvuku, Harare, Zimbabwe, is treating between 18 and 20 patients for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) every day, with health workers reporting that about 40 per cent of those patients are living with HIV.
General practitioner at Scottland Medical Centre and Maternity, Dr Albert Mudarikwa, disclosed the figures during a recent tour of the facility, raising concerns about the prevalence of STIs, particularly among young adults in Harare.
“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 offers free services and conducts community outreach programmes aimed at promoting STI prevention, testing and early treatment.
Mudarikwa explained that patients who present with STI symptoms are routinely offered HIV screening because people living with HIV can be more susceptible to certain infections.
According to him, about 40 per cent of the STI patients treated at the facility are HIV-positive, while the remaining patients include those who test negative.
He also expressed concern over STI infections among young people, reporting that about 20 per cent of individuals aged between 18 and 24 have been affected by infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or trichomoniasis.
The clinic has intensified community outreach efforts to encourage safer practices, regular testing and prompt treatment.
“We need to raise awareness about sexually transmitted infections and the importance of prevention, early testing and treatment,” Mudarikwa said.
