Author: Healthtimes

Inside the Makeshift Maternity Wards of Harare

Healthtimes

By Linda Mujuru, GPJ Zimbabwe HARARE, ZIMBABWE — In the high-density suburb of Hopley, Tatenda Mangwanya, 16, admires her 2-week-old baby girl to whom she gave birth with the assistance of a self-trained midwife. She stands by her decision to give birth at home, which she says was the safest for her baby, whom she named Nqobile, a Ndebele name meaning “victor.” I was registered at a local clinic in the neighboring suburb of Highfield about 10 kilometers from here, but I was transferred to [the hospital] located farther away…

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Namibia reaches key milestone in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B

Healthtimes

Windhoek – Namibia has become the first country in Africa – and the first high-burden country in the world – to reach a significant milestone on the path towards eliminating vertical mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and viral hepatitis B. Eastern and Southern Africa is home to more than half the world’s HIV burden and Africa accounts for two thirds of new hepatitis B infections globally. Namibia is home to more than 200 000 people living with HIV and new infections disproportionately impact females. Progress is possible. Globally, 2.5 million…

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Improved Combination HIV Prevention Coverage Reduces New Infections In girls and young women in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter Zimbabwe is among nine high-prevalence locations in Sub-Saharan Africa to record a reduction in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2022 owing to increased coverage of combination prevention methods according to findings from a 2023 Global HIV Prevention report UNAIDS defines combination HIV prevention as rights-, evidence-, and community-based programs that promote a combination of biomedical, behavioural, and structural interventions designed to meet the HIV prevention needs of specific people and communities. Its goal is to reduce the number of new infections through activities with a greater…

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Africa CDC Slams Mordena For Halting African Vaccine Plant

Healthtimes

Africa CDC notes with disappointment that Moderna has put its plans to establish vaccine manufacturing in Kenya on hold. While we acknowledge that the need and demand for COVID-19 vaccines has indeed decreased significantly, both in Africa and globally, it is important that we reflect on the nuances of this. The Africa CDC recalls the considerable efforts of Africa to timely access vaccines as Member States of the Union considered vaccines as the most effective means in the pandemic response. Through its Heads of States and Government, the AU and…

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Over 500 new sickle cell anemia cases detected within nine months: Sickle Cell Anemia Trust Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Kudakwashe Pembere and Michael Gwarisa A survey done by Sickle Cell Anemia Trust Zimbabwe (SCATZ) at a clinic launched nine months ago in Bindura found over 500 new sickle cell anemia cases, HealthTimes has learnt. Speaking to this publication after a National AIDS Council (NAC) organized media workshop in Chinhoyi said these were mostly children. “The Ministry of Health and Child Care has been very supportive to us. We actually went there and they told us that the condition was prevalent,” she said. “Following the launch of the clinic…

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Increased Domestic Funding Crucial To Ending Family Planning Unment Need In Zimbabwe-UNFPA

Healthtimes

By Ntokozo Gudu Even though Zimbabwe has made progress in increasing coverage of modern contractive methods, the country still lags regarding expanding domestic financing towards Family Planning services. This was said by the United Nations Population Fund ( UNFPA  ) programme specialist, Dr Edwin Mpeta during UNFPA International Conference on Population and Development Media Briefing in Harare.    “Commodity security is under threat as it is largely donor funded but also the Government has invested US$3 million in 2022 and 2023 ,we require about US$7 million worth of contraceptives and…

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Remembering the Zimbabwean Health Care System’s Heyday

Healthtimes

By Gamuchirai Masiyiwa, GPJ Zimbabwe HARARE, ZIMBABWE — Wards bustling with highly motivated health care workers, readily available medication, decent salaries, a thriving teaching hospital network — this defined Zimbabwe’s health care system in the 1980s. Back then, it was considered a model of efficiency and effectiveness in Africa. Today, however, the system is broken. Shortages of medical supplies, a crumbled infrastructure, and a mass exodus of health care workers have left the country unable to meet the needs of its people. Among those left questioning the decline is Stella,…

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Rebuilt from Ruin: Overcoming the Psychological Scars of Injury

Healthtimes

For professional athletes and gym rats, a major injury is a brutal blow. It’s not just the throbbing pain and logistical nightmares, but the mental gut punch of being benched from your passion. After physio purgatory and a clean bill of health, you might think you’re good to go. But hold up – there’s often a mental hurdle to clear. Fear of re-injury or losing your skills can leave you stuck on the sidelines. This awfully often happens with the players in the Premier League in recent years, making managers…

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Child protection and access to safe abortion

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau In the past few weeks, two unrelated developments have captured media attention and triggered thoughts about safe abortion and child protection. The first development was the lawsuit filed by Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), challenging the validity of some sections of the Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) Act. The second case was the raid and arrest of a cult which operated on a farm in Nyabira, some 30 kilometres west of Harare. Some 251 minors stayed at the farm where they were denied access to…

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Abortion services for adolescents a must

Healthtimes

By Edinah Masiyiwa Now that the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women has ended, it is time to reflect and act on the recommendations  that were made, as we endeavor to improve access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)  for women and girls.  In reviewing the theme “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,” I am dismayed by the recommendations relating to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The…

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