Healthtimes |

Swedish Embassy Breaking Menstrual Health Barriers

October 16, 2019October 18, 2019 Healthtimes

“MENSTRUATION is a girls issue, why should i care?” said Tafadzwa a Grade 6 pupil with Avondale Primary School. ” I would rather not talk or discuss about it,” he says. By Kudakwashe Pembere This is the kind of attitude young girls experiencing menstruation for the first time and in school go through. At times, the treatment can be worse for young girls of school going age as they have to endure long hours of bullying , jeering and insults at the hands of their male counterparts. The situation even…

Midwives Conference On Next Week

October 15, 2019October 15, 2019 Healthtimes

ALL is set for the annual Midwives Conference to be held in Victoria Falls on October 25 this year. By Kudakwashe Pembere Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives chairperson Dr Lillian Dodzo told HealthTimes the conference will bring over 300 participants under one roof. “Participants will be over 300 midwives and partner representatives from all the provinces,” she said. The event looks at various issues affecting members of the profession in their contribution towards Universal Health Coverage. “To be discussed are midwifery related issues such as quality nursing care,sharing of best practices…

Mashonaland West Pregnant Women Told To Bring Own Fuel

October 15, 2019October 17, 2019 Healthtimes

THE current power crisis and ever-rising fuel costs bedevilling Zimbabwe has left pregnant women in Mashonaland West bearing the brunt of buying fuel themselves for use during childbirth. By Kudakwashe Pembere A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told HealthTimes that women were told to bring their own fuel by health workers in the province and this been happening for a while now. “Women in some health facilities in Mashonaland West are made to buy all sundries which they cannot afford and in some facilities are made to bring…

South Africa Defers Dolutegravir Rollout

October 15, 2019 Healthtimes

Stocks of the new treatment are already on the shelves of some clinics — but lingering concerns over a possible low risk of birth defects associated with this new antiretroviral have stalled the country’s switch to better medication for a second time. SOURCE: BHEKISISA The national health department has been forced to postpone a nationwide rollout of the latest blockbuster HIV treatment amid persistent concerns about what may be a low risk of birth defects linked to the drug’s use. This is despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) greenlighting the…

Health Minister Engages Municipal Clinics

October 14, 2019October 15, 2019 Healthtimes

HEALTH and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo says they have engaged the services of Harare and Bulawayo local authority health facilities to offer health services while waiting for the doctors who withdrew their labour to return. Dr Moyo said he spoke with Harare City Health Services Dr Prosper Chonzi on this issue. He said they sent medicines to the clinics as a way of capacitating them. The Health Minister said for emergency services they are relying on the senior doctors who did not withdraw their services as consultants in…

Sanitary Pads Crisis Hit University Students

October 11, 2019October 29, 2019 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE’S urban young girls feel cheated on the pricing and quality of sanitary pads being made in the country. By Kudakwashe Pembere This emerged at the launch of a Menstrual Health Promotion Campaign funded by the Swedish Embassy with the implementation done by Population Services International (PSI) Zimbabwe. Contrary to popular belief stating how menstrual products are expensive to those living in the rural areas, young girls living in the urban areas also feel the pinch. SayWhat Sexual Reproductive Health Rights advocate at the University of Zimbabwe Munashe Mhaka said university…

End Stigma Against Mental Illnesses Says Health Minister

October 11, 2019 Healthtimes

HEALTH and Childcare Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo says Zimbabwe should end stigma associated to those living with mental illnesses to avert suicides. By Kudakwashe Pembere Officiating the World Mental Health Day which was themed focusing on suicide prevention, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo Zimbabwe need to start talking about this silent epidemic of suicides. “The theme for this year’s mental health day happens to be suicide prevention. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 after road traffic accidents. And…

#BREAKING: UZ Reinstates Mbuwayasango, Chimuka

October 9, 2019 Healthtimes

UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo has reinstated the College of Health Science lecturers Mr Bothwell Mbuwayesango and Dr David Chimuka following meetings with the Zimbabwe Medical Association coupled with pressure from other doctors. By Kudakwashe Pembere In an interview with HealthTimes, Zima secretary general Dr Sacrifice Chirisa said the Vice Chancellor will notify the duo also government consultant specialists. “The update is that the Vice Chancellor is lifting the termination and suspension. The two senior colleagues will get their letters to such effect tomorrow,” he said. Dr…

Govt Pours Water On Expatriate Doctors Rumour

October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 Healthtimes

The memo between Secretaries of Health and Foreign Affairs gone viral on social media about a contingent of 50 foreign doctors has by Government been dismissed as a hoax. The expatriate doctors were supposedly expected in Zimbabwe on October 13. The letter was addressed to the Foreign Affairs secretary Ambassador James Manzou. It was circulated against the background of the court battle between the doctors and Government to create an impression of trying to cover the gap left by the doctors on industrial action. In an interview, Acting Permanent Secretary…

Zim Men Only Seek HIV Services When Getting Married

October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 Healthtimes

A majority of Zimbabwean males aged between 25 and 29 seek HIV testing and counseling services towards marriage. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was said by Advocacy Core Team Coordinator Mr Chamunorwa Mashoko who referred to a United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)report while addressing a media science café organized by the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Centre (HIFC) on Wednesday. PEPFAR reports that the age group between 25 to 29 years are testing more, are initiated more on ART because they getting married and doing weddings more. So that…