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Thandeka Moyo, Health Reporter 

POPULATION Services International (PSI) has secured funding that will see Bulawayo residents access free sexual health services including breast examinations from the Nkulumane New Start Centre for the next five years. 

According to recent council minutes, HIV testing and counselling, voluntary medical male circumcision and family planning services among others will be on offer.

“Population Services International (PSI) and Bulawayo City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding to award Nkulumane New Start Centre a framework subcontract in support of the Zimbabwe Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV Prevention Project and provide HIV counselling and testing services,” read the minutes. 

“Population Services International received further funding from an organisation called CIDA which will help in extending the support to the Nkulumane New Start Centre.”

The local authority will bear no costs during the implementation of the project as PSI will bear all expenses. 

“Bulawayo residents stand to benefit immensely from this programme which will include family planning services to prevent unwanted pregnancy, voluntary male medical circumcision to prevent HIV transmission, examination of breasts to reduce catastrophic costs caused by late diagnosis of cancer. 

“The services will complement the current Visually Inspection with Acetic acid and Camera (VIAC) services for cervical cancer being provided at Nkulumane Clinic,” read the same document. — @thamamoe