DRAFT HIV AND AIDS POLICY

1. Introduction

The identification of the first cases of AIDS in Zimbabwe in the mid-1980s brought with it
negative impacts on the development of the nation. Reduction in productivity, increased
production costs on the employer, increased staff turnover, and the burden on the fiscus were
realized due to its related illnesses and deaths. Due to the burden exerted on fellow
employees when they would be required to take extra tasks at the workplace, increased
medical costs on the part of the employer and other benefits meant for worker compensation
when they died, fueled HIV related stigma and discrimination at the workplace. This
undermined the efficiency of national efforts to prevent and control the epidemic. The
Government of Zimbabwe, in an attempt to buttress its efforts of effective uninterrupted
service delivery, penned the National HIV/AIDS policy in December 1999.

The aim of the policy was to promote and guide present and future responses to HIV and
AIDS in Zimbabwe, promote equity, ensure supportive environment at all levels in the nation
and guide HIV and AIDS workplace response in Zimbabwe. In adopting a National HIV and
AIDS policy, a culture of caring and compassion would be inculcated in both the public and
employment sector. This would encourage openness, consistency and equity in dealing with
the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The policy would also adopt human rights based guidance that
prevents and prohibits stigma and discrimination in employment and occupation on the basis
of real or perceived HIV status.

Although, HIV and AIDS wreaked havoc in all sectors of the nation, the higher institutions of
learning included, the National HIV survey (ZIMPHIA 2020) results indicate that 86,8% of
adults living with HIV were aware of their sero-status, while 97%of these were on
antiretroviral therapy(ART). Of those receiving ART, 90.3% achieved viral load suppression.
In order to achieve the success of the ART, new strategies were adopted to implement the
national HIV policies. ART services were decentralized from hospitals to clinics, whereas
care tasks were shifted from doctors to nurses. These improvements do not indicate the total
eradication of the pandemic and its associated challenges, hence the drafting of the
Zimbabwe Open University HIV and AIDS policy.

1.2 Factors driving the epidemic

The main determining factors driving the epidemic include incidence of unprotected sex,
stigma and denial, the vulnerability of women, poverty and demographic mobility. In
Zimbabwe, the epidemic is mainly driven by unprotected heterosexual sex. Stable

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heterosexual unions account for around 55% of all new infections. It has been found that
women are disproportiately affected, especially the adolescent girls and young women. In
2019, there were 40 000 new infections and this shows that the infection rate had gone down
from 62 000 infections in 2010. This reduction of infection is due to behavior change
communication, high treatment coverage and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
Deaths from AIDS related illnesses continue to fall from 54 000 in 2010 to 20 000 in 2019.

1.2.1 Structural factors

 Poverty
 Marriage
 Gender-based violence
 Schooling and migration for economic reasons
 Loss of parents to AIDS and substance use
 Unemployment

1.2.1 Proximally linked factors

 Age of sexual debut

 Partner’s HIV status
 Whether partner(s) are on ARV treatment if infected
 Rate of partner change
 Age of partner(s)
 Circumcision status of partner(s)
 Reluctance to use the condom

1.2.2 Related biology and co-morbidities

 Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI)

 Herpes simplex virus 2
 HPV infection
 Genital inflammation
 Intra-vaginal substance use

1.3 National response

The National HIV/AIDS Policy has been in place since 1999 to address:

 The management of the national response to the pandemic

 Issues of human rights as concerns HIV and AIDS
 Public health
 Care of people living with HIV and AIDS
 Gender related issues in HIV and AIDS
 Public awareness of the epidemic

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  Research
In fulfilling the mandate of the launched HIV/AIDS Policy, Zimbabwe laid the foundation for
accelerating its response in the year 2000 when an innovative 3% levy on taxable income was
enacted to fund HIV and AIDS programmes. A multisectoral approach to responding to the
control of the epidemic was embarked. Both the public and the private sector began to play
vital roles in managing the epidemic. Efforts to eliminate new infections have been made by
increasing access to medical services, HIV testing services and increasing awareness in order
to eradicate stigma and discrimination associated with the epidemic. Since the introduction of
drugs that prevent mother-to-child transmission, significant strides have been made in
reducing fears of childbearing by HIV positive mothers.

1.4 Zimbabwe Open University policy

The Zimbabwe Open University HIV and AIDS policy is guided by the following objectives:

1.4.1 Objectives of the policy

The University shall be guided by the following policy objectives with respect to HIV/AIDS
prevention, care and support, research, and mitigation of impact:

a) To provide education, information, and training in HIV/AIDS prevention and to

reduce the rate of new infections by promoting behaviour change.

b) To provide care and support to staff and students affected and/infected with HIV to
alleviate fear, stigma, and discrimination surrounding HIV and AIDS.

c) To safeguard the rights of employees and students who are affected and/or living with
HIV and AIDS.

d) To promote and support research and community outreach on HIV/AIDS prevention,

care, and support.

e) To promote the health, social and spiritual welfare of the University community.

This policy applies to all employees and students at the Zimbabwe open University.

2 Terminology

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3 The Policy

The policy has 5 key components

1. The rights and responsibilities of staff and student infected or affected by HIV/AIDS
2. Integration of HIV/AIDS into teaching, research, and services activities of all
faculties
3. Community service activities of all Faculties in ZOU
4. Provision of University prevention and support services for HIV/AIDS
5. Creation and maintenance of an enabling environment within the University that
supports positive behavior change

This policy is intended to be consistent with national government policy. Should national
policy change, this policy will be reviewed accordingly.

3.1 The rights and responsibilities of staff and students infected or affected by
HIV/AIDS

The staff and students affected and infected with HIV have the following rights:

● Liberty, autonomy, security of the person and freedom of movement within the
university – there should be no restrictions, not to be segregated, isolated, or
quarantined because of their sero-status.
● Testing has to be voluntary – it should not be mandatory on enrolment or any other
service for staff or students to be forced to get tested.
● Confidentiality and privacy of their status should be observed.

● They are entitled to health and support services, public benefits, medical schemes and
insurance.
● They are entitled to education on HIV and AIDS issues and information.

● They are entitled to fair treatment by the media and to observance of their rights to
privacy and confidentiality, rights to informed and balanced coverage of and
presentation of information and education on HIV and AIDS

Responsibilities

Staff and students affected and infected with HIV and AIDS have the following
responsibilities:

● To look after their health – they should seek treatments and help medical practitioners
to ensure they get the right treatment when they know their status.

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 ● To have safe sex to avoid risk of increasing viral load, and to protect others (sex
partner)
● Taking medication appropriately

● They should know their status

● They should be honest about their status

● They should get educated on health, medication

● They should not misuse their sero-status – misusing it to intimidate, manipulate or

threaten others
● They should know their rights as concern HIV and AIDS issues

● They should look for solidarity – support groups that empower them.

3.2 Integration of HIV/AIDS into teaching, research, and services activities of all
faculties

Introduction

According to the National Policy on HIV/AIDS for Zimbabwe (1999), all sectors should
recognise HIV/AIDS as a priority and integrate it into their planning and programming.

Teaching

The ZOU student should be nurtured so that they graduate with relevant professional and
personal HIV & AIDS skills to become leaders in society who are able to address the impact
of HIV & AIDS in their families and different settings in their communities. This should be
done in an effort to contain HIV/AIDS towards the creation of a healthy nation and social
stability for current and future generations.

● HIV & AIDS education therefore needs to be incorporated into the programmes of all
faculties.
● Faculties should consider how to achieve integration of aspects of HIV & AIDS life
skills content into their programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Modules with relevant HIV and AIDS content can be borrowed from other Faculties
and incorporated where possible
● The Human Resources department should ensure that all employees undertake
periodic HIV & AIDS awareness programmes, short courses and participatory
trainings on HIV & AIDS. The training should be provided by persons and
organizations that have proven technical knowledge and expertise on HIV and AIDS
and should cover but not limited to the transmission and spread of HIV and other

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 communicable diseases, care of PLWA, living positively with HIV, treatment access,
stigma and discrimination, peer counselling and universal precautions
● Furthermore, short courses focusing on different aspects of HIV & AIDS such as
protection of the worker, performance management, and legal issues can be offered.
As part of the University Community service, these and other relevant course and
trainings can be offered to communities, through appropriate centers, departments and
faculties.
Research

The Zimbabwe Open University has a mandate to provide leadership in combating the HIV &
AIDS pandemic through research.

● The ZOU should be engaged in action research including operations research;

research for innovation; policy; social and public health research whose findings
would be used to inform its policy, teaching, community service and efforts towards
the improvement in the management of people living with HIV & AIDS
● The Faculty and University Research Board will consider collaborative research
proposals and projects focusing on HIV & AIDS for funding.
● Finally, the ZOU should commit itself fully to provide financial resources in support
of innovative individual and collaborative research addressing issues related to HIV &
AIDS.

3.3 Community service activities of all Faculties in ZOU

The ZOU commits itself to improving its visibility and to support national efforts against
HIV& AIDS through its participation in implementable collaborative activities. Each of the
ten ZOU regional campuses will share its experience of best practice and skills with different
communities, international organisations and the government in such activities as: awareness
campaigns, trainings and research on HIV and AIDS.

3.4 Provision of University prevention and support services for HIV/AIDS

Introduction

Good health enhances productivity. The Zimbabwe Open University endeavours to create a
wellness platform conducive to the welfare of students and workforce. In line with the
Zimbabwe National Policy on HIV/AIDS of 1999, ZOU undertakes to respect human rights
and dignity and avoid stigma and discrimination in all its forms. Discrimination against
people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) increases vulnerability to HIV infection and
undermines preventive efforts in response to the pandemic. The need to create and maintain a
supportive environment for the prevention, control, care, cannot be overemphasized

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Access, Prevention & Support

The Zimbabwe Open University should aim to provide Primary Health Care services for
students and staff to ensure access to basic information on wellness and health related issues
through the creation of the ZOU HIV and AIDS Prevention Support Centre. There should be
in place, strategies to identify high risk behaviours and ways to mitigate the HIV & AIDS
problems among students and staff. Regular training workshops can be used as platforms to
disseminate information and encourage behaviour change.

● HIV & AIDS, STI, TB and other infectious diseases awareness campaigns should be
among the primary health prioritised elements including HIV counselling and peer
education activities.
● Provision of information on condom & femidom distribution and use, male medical
circumcision, elimination of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV, treatment of STIs
should be on-going for students, employees, management and specialised groups.
Members of the University society should be encouraged to go for voluntary testing
and counselling.
● Wellness programmes that ensure the development of physical, cognitive,
behavioural, spiritual and psychosocial aspects of individuals are critical. The
University should put in place accessible and appropriate counselling and
psychosocial support services. Peer education or support groups should be established
to assist the infected and affected members.
● The services to students and staff in the ZOU various campuses should be established,
supported with adequate resources including human resources.
● It is incumbent upon the University management to give reasonable protection to HIV
and AIDS victims be they employees or students, who may be discriminated against
or stigmatised due to their statuses. Issues of respect and confidentiality should be
adhered to and any breach of such may attract disciplinary action by management
● Sexual harassment of any form will not be tolerated

3.5 Creation and maintenance of an enabling environment within the University that
supports positive behavior change

● The Zimbabwe Open University is committed to the creation and maintenance of an

enabling environment within the University that supports positive behaviour change
regarding HIV prevention, care and support.

● The University will encourage different groups of the University community to

examine for themselves how they could contribute to an enabling environment that

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 support positive approaches regarding HIV, AIDS and STIs prevention, care and
support.

3.6 Disciplinary action

● cases of discrimination will be referred to the University's Disciplinary Committee

and dealt with in the same way all other cases of discrimination are dealt with e.g.
disabilities, gender, race etc.

3.7 Communication of the Policy

● The University will communicate its HIV & AIDS policy and practices to all

employees and students in simple, clear and unambiguous terms.

● A copy of the policy should be provided to all employees and students during

induction and orientation.

● A copy of the policy should be found on accessible institutional cites like the

institutional website, Faculty, Departmental platforms and libraries.

● The policy must be made available in accessible formats such as braille, print,

electronic and print.

● The policy must be available in all official languages as defined by the state of

Zimbabwe.

● The policy must be communicated through various forms of Information, education,

and communication (IEC) materials which include, FM radio station, posters,

workplace/church sensitization, newsletters, fact sheets, circulars Brochures,
pamphlets containing basic elements of the policy will be widely distributed during
awareness campaigns and activities associated with HIV & AIDS.

● All communication is handled in line with Zimbabwe Open University

communication policy.

● The ethical principles of beneficence and non‐maleficence must be observed in all

communications.

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 ● The ethical principles of beneficence and non‐maleficence must be observed in all

communications.

4. Policy Implementation

The implementation, observation and conformity to this policy shall be the responsibility of
very person who deal with ZOU directly or directly. Such individuals include all ZOU staff,
students and all stakeholders. Special implementation responsibilities shall be executed by the
following;

University Council

● Promotion of HIV and AIDS across all university units

● Facilitate the development of any other policy that support the implementation of the

HIV and AIDs policy

● Obtain an HIV and AIDS report on an annual basis from the office of the Vice

Chancellor

Vice Chancellor

● Appointment of members of the ZOU HIV and AIDS Committee (ZHAC) which shall

have a multi-unit composition. The composition of the Committee shall reflect gender
sensitivity and membership shall be drawn from the following units as deemed
necessary by the Vice Chancellor.

● Chairpersons

- 2 academics representing faculty staff

- 2 administrators representing administrative units
- 2 representatives for the SRC
- 2 representatives from workers committees
- 1 representative from Human Resources
- 1 representative from Centre for Student Management
- 1representative from the Safety and Health committee
- 1 Legal Advisor

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 - 1 secretary from HR

● Ensuring unit heads are complying with the HIV and AIDDS policy and compiling

periodic compliance reports

5. ZOU HIV and AIDS Committee

The following shall be the major functions of the ZHAC:
Staff and student training, advocacy, receiving and investigating HIV and AIDS violation
reports, research on HIV and AIDS, liaising with the external world on HIV and AIDS issues,
developing strategies that help in the incorporation of HIV and AIDS in the university
curricular; appointment of HIV and AIDS focal persons in every unit of the university,
production of annual HIV and AIDS data that supports the implementation and monitoring of
the policy, production of HIV and AIDS mainstreaming support materials, production of HIV
and AIDS measurement tools to be used across the university units, design and distribution of
complaint forms to all university units, report to the Vice Chancellor on policy issues and
others as delegated.

University Unity Heads

All University Unit Heads shall complete HIV and AIDS mainstreaming measurement tools
and submit to the ZHAC on an annual basis. Unit Heads must also adhere to all the
provisions of this policy with regard to processes and procedures that fall under their area.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

The ZHAC shall be responsible for the continuous monitoring of this policy and take
appropriate remedial action where necessary in consultation with the office of the Vice
Chancellor. The table below summarises the monitoring and evaluation structure of this
policy.

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 The University Council
Receives yearly reports on HIV and AIDS mainstreaming
measurement from the office of the Vice Chancellor
Vice Chancellor Ensure Unit Heads complete HIV and AIDS mainstreaming
measurement tools on annual basis and submit to the ZHAC
committee for analysis
The ZOU HIV & AIDS Ensure day to day compliance and institute remedial actions,
Committee receives HIV and AIDS mainstreaming measurement
instruments from Unit Heads and compile a consolidated
annual report for submission to the office of the Vice
Chancellor
Unit Heads Ensure HIV and AIDS mainstreaming compliance with the
policy on all areas under their supervision and complete HIV
and AIDS evaluation tools for submission to the ZHAC on
an annual basis
Unit Focal Persons Assisting the unit heads to complete HIV and AIDS
mainstreaming measurement monitoring tools from time to
time. Identifying non-compliance activities and alert the
Unit head

8. Complaint Procedures

All HIV and AIDS related complaints shall be treated with speed, privately and
confidentially. As far as possible the identity of whistle blowers shall be protected.

 Step 1
The ZHAC receives a complaint and carry out preliminary investigations to determine the
merit of the complaint; if the complaint has merit, it will make appropriate recommendations
on it to the university.

 Step 2
In consultation with the legal and the HR sections, the alleged offender is disciplined to pave
way for thorough investigations.

 Step 3
On cases with merit, all statutes on HIV and AIDS will be instituted and the case is referred
to law enforcement agents for further investigation.

 Step 4

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If a court finds the alleged offender guilty, a staff member will be disciplined from duty while
students will be expelled from the university.
For cases that involve outsiders, law enforcement authorities will immediately be engaged.

9. Commitment

In order to achieve HIV and AIDS compliance, the University commits to;
a) ensure availability and safety to persons with HIV and AIDS in the working, teaching and
learning environment
b) ensure no stigmatisation in recruiting students, recruiting of part time and full time staff,
training and promoting staff,
c) protect the identity of students in all the courses offered,
d) ensure that its curriculum is HIV and AIDS sensitive including teaching and learning
materials
e) ensure that elections in students’ organizations are inclusive,
f) put in place measures to eliminate stigmatisation and harassment and all forms of
segregation at the workplace, teaching and learning environment and in all student activities,
g) appoint all persons with HIV and AIDS to senior positions on an equal basis without
compromising competence.
h) appoint HIV and AIDS focal persons in all the university units

10. Accountability

The ZOU Vice Chancellor will be responsible for the implementation of this policy.

11. Policy Review

Cognisance of the dynamics in HIV and AIDS issues it is imperative that the policy be
reviewed periodically. This policy will be reviewed at least every five years from the first day
of its implementation. Include as and when there is need.

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ZOU HIV and AIDS Prevention Support Centre

Terms of Reference

1. Background

The Zimbabwe Open University is represented in the ten Regions of Zimbabwe. The
university caters mainly for adult working students. The HIV and Aids pandemic continues to
leave a devastating trail among the university population. It is therefore prudent for ZOU to
establish a ZOU HIV and AIDS prevention Support Centre

2. Purpose of the Centre

Socio cultural issues related to stigma and discrimination are the major problems that the
people face. The Zimbabwe Open University aims at providing Primary Health Care services
for students and staff to ensure access to basic information on wellness and health related
issues. There should be in place, strategies to identify high risk behaviours and ways to
mitigate the HIV & AIDS problems among students and staff. Regular training workshops
can be used as platforms to disseminate information and encourage behaviour change.

Other activities should be aimed at HIV & AIDS, STI, TB and other infectious diseases
awareness campaigns, counselling, and peer education.

Management, employees, and students need information on condom & femidom distribution
and use, male medical circumcision, elimination of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV and
treatment of STIs. voluntary testing and counselling.

The center will establish wellness programmes that ensure the development of physical,
cognitive, behavioural, spiritual, and psychosocial aspects of individuals are critical. The
University should put in place accessible and appropriate counselling and psychosocial
support services. Peer education or support groups should be established to assist the infected
and affected members.

The ZOU various campuses should be supported with adequate resources

3. Location of the Centre

The base center will be located at Corner House with support branches in the ten regional
centers

4. Proposed Organogram

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It is hoped that the national center will have three members of staff. These will include one
Senior Health Officer, one Junior Health Officer and an Office Orderly. The regional offices
will be manned by one Junior Health Officer at each region

5. Job descriptions

Senior Health Officer Job Description

Plan and organize day to day activities

Organize staff and student training workshops on HIV and AIDS including other Health
issues

Client counselling

The other job descriptions will be formulated to complement the Senior Health Officer’s
work

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