Author: Healthtimes

COVID-19 IN ZIMBABWE: WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Healthtimes
Dr Grant Murewanhema

ZIMBABWE recorded its first case of COVID-19 on 20 March 2020, but until 2 weeks ago we had less than 50 cases. This trend is significantly different from what was observed in Europe, America, the UK and China, which saw exponential increases in infections once they had recorded their first cases. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Others have argued that we have not been testing enough, but the situation on the ground has been very stable. On the clinical side, we have not witnessed a significant spike in clinically suggestive cases,…

Read More

United States Pulls Out Of WHO

Healthtimes

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is “terminating” the country’s relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO), and that the US will redirect funds intended for the agency to other global health projects. During the announcement at a news briefing 29 May, Trump reiterated accusations that the WHO is too lenient with China. Because the United States became a member of the WHO through a joint resolution in 1948, Trump may need Congressional approval to exit the agency, says Jennifer Kates, the director of global health & HIV…

Read More

United States Funding To Zim COVID-19 Battle Now Exceeds $8 million

Healthtimes

THE United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed an additional $2 million in health assistance to support the people of Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. HealthTimes Reporter U.S. assistance to Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 response now exceeds US$8 million. USAID has now committed $5 million and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided $3 million. PEPFAR has committed $150,000. The United States remains a long-standing development partner for the people of Zimbabwe. We work tirelessly to ensure that we maintain critical health and…

Read More

Nine things you need to know about periods and the pandemic

Healthtimes

MENSTRUATION is misunderstood and stigmatized around the world, a fact likely to worsen under the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are nine things you need to know about periods and the pandemic – and what the world needs to do about it. SOURCE: UNFPA 1. Menstruation is not a sign of illness or COVID-19 Menstruation is healthy and normal. It is not a sign of illness. But myths about menstruation and COVID-19 are circulating. In China, for instance, people have reported hearing that menstruation increases one’s vulnerability to the coronavirus. In Tanzania,…

Read More

COVID-19: Number Of children Living In Household Poverty To soar By Up To 86 Million By Year End

Healthtimes

THE economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic could push up to 86 million more children into household poverty by the end of 2020, an increase of 15 per cent, according to a new analysis released today by Save the Children and UNICEF. HealthTimes Reporter  The analysis highlights that, without urgent action to protect families from the financial hardships caused by the pandemic, the total number of children living below the national poverty line in low- and middle-income countries could reach 672 million by year-end. Nearly two-thirds of these children live…

Read More

An Uncomfortable Topic – Our Mental Health

Healthtimes

I asked a young woman how she was doing during these days of lockdown. She answered that she was having anxiety attacks. I was surprised at her honest response and kudos to her! I wish I would hear more of such responses. I paused for a moment to think how I could respond to her. By Hopolang Phororo I did not want to brush her aside… so, I probed a little more to find out how she felt when she was experiencing these attacks, what triggered them and what she…

Read More

GOAL Zim Launches ECHO Lifesaving Nutrition Programme For Children

Healthtimes

GOAL Zimbabwe, through funding from ECHO and in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), has launched a lifesaving nutrition programme which will reach almost a quarter of a million children under the age of five years over the next 12 months. HealthTimes Reporter The Nutrition Emergency Response for Early Detection and Treatment (NERET) project, which will roll out in Masvingo Rural, Bikita, Gutu, Buhera, Mutare Rural and Chipinge Districts, will support 243, 000 children diagnosed with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) with…

Read More

#COVID-19: WHO Warns Of Second Coronavirus Peak

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), has warned of a second peak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) amidst indications that the disease is currently in its first phase of infection the world over. HeanthTimes Reporter Briefing journalists on Monday, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said right now, we are “right in the middle of the first wave, globally.” “We’re still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up,” he added. We need to be also cognizant of the fact that the disease…

Read More

#COVID-19: ‘WHO commends Madagascar’s fight against COVID-19’

Healthtimes

In a phone call, the head of the UN’s World Health Organization commended Madagascar’s efforts against the coronavirus pandemic, according to the nation’s president. SOURCE: AA NEWS Late Wednesday President Andry Rajoelina took to Twitter to say he had a successful talk with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and that the WHO will sign a confidentiality clause on the formulation of Covid Organics (CVO) – an herbal beverage Rajoelina has claimed could prevent or cure the virus – and will support clinical observations in Africa. His comments came a few days after…

Read More

#JUSTIN: Chitungwiza Council Allows Kitchen Feeding Project To Continue

Healthtimes

THE  Chitungwiza City Council has allowed the Chitungwiza soup kitchen run by lawyer Samantha Murozoki to continue after it had been temporarily shut down by Government. The council will provide the soup kitchen with a new place which has been identified at a local crèche. Meanwhile she will cook from home until the place is ready. All her helpers will be tested for Covid-19 and they will be provided with council police to help them control the crowds that always number into thousands daily! Let us all SUPPORT this kitchen…

Read More