A global fight

Physician from Zimbabwe visits UF CARES Clinic

By Dalia Mousa

Dr. Hilary Gunguwo of Zimbabwe visited with Dr. Mobeen Rathore and Britt Donovan, of Baptist Medical Center, while in Jacksonville.

Hilary Gunguwo, a physician with a clinical epidemiology background from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, visited the UF Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service on May 16 to see the types of treatment and prevention services that the clinic provides to HIV-infected or -affected patients.

Gunguwo, who specializes in HIV medicine, was in Jacksonville to volunteer her time by participating in a medical and dental outreach program through a partnership with Joyce Meyer Ministries in Fenton, Mo., and Celebration Church in Jacksonville. While in town, she spoke to health care professionals about the history of HIV in Africa and the future of her country, where many people are living with this disease.

“We recognize that regardless of the continent, we struggle with the stigma of HIV, how to not lose patients and how to afford the medications to treat,” Gunguwo said, following her visit to the UF CARES clinic.

Mobeen Rathore, M.B.B.S., a professor and chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology and director of UF CARES, met with Gunguwo to discuss advocacy and ways to keep vital resources available to HIV patients.

“It is wonderful to be able to exchange ideas with colleagues from around the world,” he said. “Dr. Gunguwo brings a wealth of experience about the care of HIV-infected children. We learned from her and I hope she found our experiences useful also.”