Author: Healthtimes

President Mnangagwa appoints Dr Pasi Health Service Commission Secretary

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr Christopher Pasi leaves helm of the health institution taking up a new role at the Health Service Commision following an appointment by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He was appointed Secretary to the HSC. “His Excellency the President has in terms of section 10(1)(a) of the Health Service Amendment Act also appointed Dr Christopher Pamhidza Pasi as Secretary to the Health Service Commission,” said the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya in a statement. Dr Pasi…

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Why Zimbabwe Needs a Multidisciplinary and Inclusive Public Health Association

Healthtimes

By: Enock Musungwini, MPH, MBA Public health associations play a crucial role in advocating for measures to improve the health and well-being of populations. They work collaboratively with governments, civil society organizations, and various stakeholders to address national and global health challenges. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe lacks a multidisciplinary public health association, which is a significant weakness for the country. In the context of public health, a multidisciplinary association is one that includes professionals from various fields, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, political science, social and behavioral…

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To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights

Healthtimes

 By Jane KALWEO This Friday1 March 1is Zero Discrimination Day, established ten years ago by UNAIDS to protect the rights of everyone and build healthier societies. The evidence is clear: only by protecting everyone’s rights, can we protect everyone’s health. There is much to celebrate. Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa which has reached and surpassed the 95–95–95 targets. The country has reached 95 percent for the number of HIV-positive people knowing their status,98 percent of HIV-positive people on ART and has reached the target of…

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Power of Movement building in protecting women and girls against unsafe abortion: Op Ed

Healthtimes

Mildred Mushunje, PhD The struggle for the recognition of women’s rights is one that has been fraught with backlash, including those arising out of patriarchal privileges and misogynistic ideals. Various movements including Feminist movements have risen to challenge these ideals. The movements have been multiverse and varied but they generally have the goal of addressing women’s gender subordination, the roots of women’s oppression, how gender inequality is perpetuated, and offer differing remedies for gender inequality. Such movements have also found expression in instruments such as The Convention on the Elimination…

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Join the Conversation! HIFA Launches Alcohol Use Disorders Working Group Discussions

Healthtimes

Enock Musungwini, MPH; MBA According to the World Health Organization, alcohol consumption contributes to 3 million deaths each year globally as well as to the disabilities and poor health of millions of people. Furthermore, harmful use of alcohol is responsible for 5.1% of the global burden of disease. Against this background, we are calling all Public Health Practitioners, Key Stakeholders, Health Advocates, and Concerned Individuals to the launch of the Health Information for All (HIFA) Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) Working Group discussions. This is your chance to be part of…

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Zimbabwe Revision of Comprehensive Abortion Care Guidelines a positive step towards addressing high maternal morbidity and mortality

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau Zimbabwe’s recent revision of its Comprehensive Abortion Care Guidelines marks a significant step forward in addressing the persistent challenge of high maternal morbidity and mortality linked to complications of abortion (Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care, 2023). Despite previous efforts, the burden remains evident, with abortion complications ranking as a major cause of maternal deaths in both rural and urban settings, according to a community-based study conducted by the Zimbabwe National Health Department (Zimbabwe National Health Department, 2022). This study further revealed that abortion complications…

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USAID, FAO launches US$2.7 million fund for livestock diseases fight in Zim

Healthtimes

By Kuda Pembere and Nthokozo Gudu With Zimbabwe’s cattle herd under threat from livestock diseases, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) availed to the tune of US$2.7 million an emergency project fund to fight these diseases. Most common of the livestock diseases in Zimbabwe are tickbone diseases such as theileriosis better known as January Disease. Officiating the event last week, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the livestock sector is currently bedevilled with several…

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Malawi Records Viral Conjunctivitis Outbreak

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter Kalonga District in the northern parts of Malawi has recorded several cases of Viral Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye, a common, self-limiting condition that typically is caused by adenovirus. According  to Medscape, other viruses that can be responsible for conjunctival infection include herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), picornavirus (enterovirus 70, Coxsackie A24), poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum, vaccinia), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). David Sibale, Director of Health Services Kalonga District Council said a total 109 cases have already been recorded in the district since February 1, 2024.…

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Scientists Test Travel Vaccine Against Malaria

Healthtimes

Following the successful rollout of a Malaria Vaccine, scientists are now testing the efficacy of a vaccine that protects travelers against malaria in other groups first. This also comes in the wake of field trials in older age groups – including people who are thinking of becoming pregnant – are in the works, while vaccines against other types of malaria are also under development. Although the focus is still on people who live in malaria-endemic countries for now, a travel vaccine could become available in the coming years, researchers say.…

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The untapped potential of stem cells in menstrual blood

Healthtimes

Long overlooked, menstrual stem cells could have important medical applications, including diagnosing endometriosis. by Sneha Khedkar ,   Knowable magazine Roughly 20 years ago, a biologist named Caroline Gargett went in search of some remarkable cells in tissue that had been removed during hysterectomy surgeries. The cells came from the endometrium, which lines the inside of the uterus. When Gargett cultured the cells in a petri dish, they looked like round clumps surrounded by a clear, pink medium. But examining them with a microscope, she saw what she was looking…

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