Author: Healthtimes

Blood Donors To Book Online says NBSZ

Healthtimes

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ), is revamping its website in a manner which will see blood donors making donation bookings online starting June 2019. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was said by NBSZ Public Affairs Manager, Ms Esther Massundah during a media education workshop on Friday. Keeping up with latest global technological trends, NBSZ is upgrading its website which Ms Massundah said will be centred on the blood donor. “In terms of the issue of online booking, one of the issues is that we are currently rebranding our website.…

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Gvt Reviews Age Limit For HPV Vaccine Beneficiaries

Healthtimes

THE age limits for girls receiving the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been reviewed upwards so as to accommodate more girls during this year’s campaign starting next week. By Kudakwashe Pembere This year’s campaign will cover Grade 5 female pupils, 10 year olds out of school up to 15 year old teens. In the past they were looking at girls aged 14 and below and this time around it is the second and final dose for full protection from HPV. “Following the successful introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine…

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Pan African Parliament Commits To Forming Immunisation Caucus

Healthtimes

THE Pan-African Parliament has adopted a resolution on the establishment of an African Parliamentarian Caucus on Immunization, to drive forward the body’s commitment to ensuring that all children across the continent have access to the vaccines they need. Expanding access to immunization will help lay the foundation for universal health coverage across Africa, a cause which the Pan-African Parliament strongly supports,” said Hon. Roger Nkodo Dang, President of the Pan-African Parliament. Universal health coverage (UHC) has gained significant political momentum across Africa in recent years, with many countries committing to…

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Radiotherapy Treatment Resumes Soon

Healthtimes

CANCER patients will start receiving radiotherapy treatment next week as engineers are currently on the ground fixing the machines. By Kudakwashe Pembere All machines at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Hospital grounded over the past two months required repairs. Parirenyatwa public relations officer Mr Linos Dhire told HealthTimes the engineers are on the ground fixing the machines. Engineers from South Africa are now on site and are already working and they are already working on the repairs. The spares were delivered at the hospital on the weekend,” he said.…

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Zim To Host African Medical Councils Conference

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE  is set to host the 23rd edition of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) conference  from 17 to 21 July, 2019 in the resort town of  Victoria Falls. By Kudakwashe Pembere The conference brings together about 250 delegates from 20 African countries under one roof to discuss how health regulators can contribute to the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC). Themed ”The Role Of The Health Regulator In The Delivery Of Universal Health Coverage’, the conference is co-hosted by Health Professions Authority (HPA) Zimbabwe and the Medical…

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Govt, Unicef Tackle Communication Gaps In Adolescent, Maternal and Child Health

Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care’s Family Health Department and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) engaged health promotion officers in the country to tackle communication gaps hampering the utilisation of Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services. By HealthTimes Reporter Speaking the meeting, Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena the Communication for Development Officer at UNICEF said RMNCAH&N outcomes are shaped by individual, community behaviours, social / gender norms. “Delays in seeking care, poor home-based care management of pregnant women and children, supply-side barriers, and lack of an enabling environment…

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Hundreds Turn Up For Cleft Lip/Palate Screening At Harare Central Hospital

Healthtimes

OPERATION of Hope began cleft lip and cleft palate screening on Sunday at Harare Central Hospital following 48 successful surgeries in Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. By Kudakwashe Pembere Targeting about 60 patients at Harare Hospital, this program supported by Schweppes Zimbabwe and Harare Central Rotary Club will take about a week. Speaking to journalists, Harare Hospital Clinical Director Dr Christopher Pasi said they do these operations at their hospital but usually end up with a huge backlog. “This program is important for us because this deformity that babies are born…

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Demystifying Dolutegravir based antiretroviral drug regimens

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE recently joined other nations to adopt the new HIV treatment regimens that contain Dolutegravir (DTG).  The complete transition process for Zimbabwe however, will not take less than 10 months to be fully implemented considering that the country has over a million people on first line HIV medicines. By Michael Gwarisa and Dr. Simbarashe Mabaya Countries  adopt normative guidance by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is based on rigorous review and analysis of scientific evidence. Based on this review WHO develops recommendations which make up the next guidelines. Countries…

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Zim Launches Viral Hepatitis Program

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has launched a National Viral Hepatitis program to tackle hepatitis infections known to cause liver inflammation and damage. By Kudakwashe Pembere The inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. Researchers have discovered several different viruses that cause hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Speaking at the launch, acting health secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga called on stakeholders to develop a strategy to deal with this rising epidemic. “We desire to catch up with the global community in bringing…

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Transgender Women At High Risk Of Cervical Cancer- Study

Healthtimes

A new study has revealed that Transgender women receiving hormonal therapy are at greater risk of developing breast cancer. The study dubbed “Breast Cancer Risk in transgender people receiving hormone treatment” has revealed that there was an increased risk of breast cancer in trans women compared with cisgender men, and a lower risk in trans men compared with cisgender women. In trans women, the risk of breast cancer increased during a relatively short duration of hormone treatment and the characteristics of the breast cancer resembled a more female pattern. Most…

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