Global Policy on Sexually Transmitted Infections: Frameworks and interventions in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The discussion is on the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (2006-2015), and the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (2011-2015), a policy intervention ratified towards this end. The Global Strategy was initiated for adoption by national governments to contribute towards Millennium Development Goal number six. It is aimed at providing a framework to guide an accelerated global response for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections. STI prevention and control interventions advocated include the promotion of health sexual behavior, provision of condoms and other barrier methods, delivery of prevention and care, strategies for sexual partner notification, provision of medicines, and vaccines, syndromic management and improving information for policy and programme development. The Strategic Plan in Zimbabwe is a multi-sectoral framework developed to provide strategic direction in planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the national multi-sectoral and decentralized STI, HIV and AIDS interventions. This strategy is being implemented through the Public Sector, Private Medical Sector and the Not for Profit Health Sector. It was concluded that Zimbabwe’s policy intervention is in line with the global strategy. From the discussion, it was recommended that Zimbabwe must to systematically build the capacity of STI interventions to contribute effectively towards the realization of Millennium Development Goal Number Six.

Key words: Policy, STIs, Global, Zimbabwe