Mutare’s New Start Clinic saves lives, brings hope to many

By Elizabeth Kucherera

For Ashley (not her real name), living with HIV has been a battle against stigma and fear of discrimination at public clinics. Her inability to afford private healthcare compounded her struggles, leaving her health deteriorating due to inconsistent access to life-saving Anti-Retroviral (ARV) medication.

“I couldn’t take my ARVs properly due to fear of humiliation and discrimination at local clinics,” Ashley said, her voice trembling as she shared her ordeal. “I couldn’t afford private clinics where patient privacy is respected.”

Ashley’s story, however, has taken a hopeful turn. Thanks to New Start Clinic in Mutare, which prioritizes privacy and dignity, she has regained her health.

“Receiving my medication in a dignified manner has brought hope to my life. My viral load has improved significantly, and I’m recovering well,” she added.

Maxwell, a resident of Morningside in Mutare, echoed Ashley’s sentiments. He described the public health system as disheartening, recalling how HIV-positive patients were labeled as “green card holders” during clinic visits.

“The humiliation sometimes made me neglect my medication because the services were frustrating. I’m grateful a friend introduced me to New Start Clinic,” Maxwell said.

Another patient, Gladys (not her real name), works at a security company on the outskirts of Mutare and shared similar praise for the private clinic. She commended New Start Clinic’s exceptional service, which included delivering her medication and collecting blood samples directly from her workplace in Penhalonga.

“I didn’t have the money to travel into town for check-ups, so I was relieved when the clinic staff brought the services to me,” Gladys said.

Their stories highlight the broader challenges faced by many Zimbabweans, both in urban and rural areas, who often struggle to access ARVs due to economic hardships and social stigma. Some are even forced to rely on unproven herbal remedies, further endangering their health.

With rising unemployment and the high cost of living, patients often struggle to afford transportation for medication pickups. In response, New Start Clinic has stepped in to bridge the gap by offering door-to-door ARV deliveries and promoting Community ART Treatment and Care programs.

These programs have proven vital in ensuring medication adherence and continuity of care, particularly in Manicaland, where HIV prevalence is the third lowest in Zimbabwe, after Harare and Mashonaland Central.

The incidence rate has also dropped significantly, reflecting the combined efforts of the government and its partners in combating the HIV epidemic.

For many like Ashley, Maxwell and Gladys, the work of private clinics such as New Start offers not just medication, but dignity, hope and a chance of a healthier future.

The New Start center is being run by FACT Zimbabwe in partnership with Population Solutions for Health (PSH) as a Prime Recipient of USAID funding.