In Zimbabwe, in 1998, counselling and testing VCT guidelines and an operating procedure manual were developed to guide implementation and in 1999, the National AIDS Policy was launched, in which protocols for rapid HIV testing were developed and, after extensive evaluation was approved for national use in 2001. Thus far, the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan and the Health sector HIV Prevention Strategic Framework have identified HCT as an important component of the national response. The Zimbabwe National HIV Testing and Counselling Strategic Plan 2008–2010 was launched in 2008 and broad objectives of this strategic plan emphasize the need to increase the percentage of Zimbabwean population that knows its HIV status, from 20% to 85% by 2010 and to expand services using Client-Initiated Counselling and Testing, formerly VCT The VCT has also been recognized by various stakeholders such as UNAIDS as the entry point in HIV and AIDS prevention and as (i)a public health and developmental priority, (ii)a human rights imperative, (iii)a cost-effective preventive measure, particularly in high-prevalence communities, (iv)a central to interventions such as PMTCT, access to care and support, and injecting-drug-use harm reduction, (v)a way to provide individuals with an opportunity to plan for the future and gain access to appropriate health and support services, (vi)a means to destigmatize and normalize HIV and to empower HIV-positive people in the community, (vii)a mechanism that enhances the capacity of health systems to deliver appropriate services HIV AND AIDS DISCLOSURE
In Zimbabwe, in 1998, counselling and testing VCT guidelines and an operating procedure manual were developed to guide implementation and in 1999, the National AIDS Policy was launched, in which protocols for rapid HIV testing were developed and, after extensive evaluation was approved for national use in 2001. Thus far, the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan and the Health sector HIV Prevention Strategic Framework have identified HCT as an important component of the national response. The Zimbabwe National HIV Testing and Counselling Strategic Plan 2008–2010 was launched in 2008 and broad objectives of this strategic plan emphasize the need to increase the percentage of Zimbabwean population that knows its HIV status, from 20% to 85% by 2010 and to expand services using Client-Initiated Counselling and Testing, formerly VCT The VCT has also been recognized by various stakeholders such as UNAIDS as the entry point in HIV and AIDS prevention and as (i)a public health and developmental priority, (ii)a human rights imperative, (iii)a cost-effective preventive measure, particularly in high-prevalence communities, (iv)a central to interventions such as PMTCT, access to care and support, and injecting-drug-use harm reduction, (v)a way to provide individuals with an opportunity to plan for the future and gain access to appropriate health and support services, (vi)a means to destigmatize and normalize HIV and to empower HIV-positive people in the community, (vii)a mechanism that enhances the capacity of health systems to deliver appropriate services HIV AND AIDS DISCLOSURE