Opportunistic Infection Prevention Program (OIPP).

The OIPP programme is aimed at reducing the frequency of morbidity due to opportunistic infections in immuno-suppressed clients and patients.

 The OIPP has two components namely:

a) Training in opportunistic infection prevention education and counselling.

Objectives of the training programme are;

• To give an overview of opportunistic infections
• To train in counseling for opportunistic infection prevention, longer survival with HIV, supportive and preventive counseling
• Discharge planning for chronically/ terminally ill patients
• Training on home based care issues

b. Establishment of an opportunistic infection prevention clinic(s).

The idea of an opportunistic infection prevention clinic is a new idea which is going to be piloted in Harare and Bulawayo. This clinic will focus on strengthening the referral system for clients with HIV infection, offer counseling on opportunistic infection prevention and other issues pertinent to HIV/AIDS as well as offer IEC material for patients and their care providers. Through this clinic, access to chemoprophylaxis for OI s will be improved. The clinic will be manned on a daily basis by a trained and supervised nurse counselor and a doctor will be visiting twice weekly. Consultant backup will also be available. The potential for replicating this concept of care in other sites in Zimbabwe will be closely monitored and evaluated.