Author: Healthtimes

POTRAZ To Roll Out Countrywide Telemedicine Project

Healthtimes

THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is set to spearhead a countrywide Telemedicine initiative in a bid to enhance health research and improve access to health services. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the launch of the ICT access and use by households and educational institutions reports, POTRAZ Director General, Dr Gift Machengete said the move to spread the Telemedicine project to other parts of the country has been inspired by a Telemedicine project which they successfully piloted in Manicaland Province. “Studies have shown that ICTs have immense…

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MCAZ Registers More Complementary Medicines

Healthtimes

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), in 2017 recorded an increase in the registration of complementary medicines attributable to intensified hype of regulations and enforcement activities.   By Kudakwashe Pembere The regulator’s spokesperson Mr Shingai Gwatidzo in an interview said 69 complementary medicines were approved. “The authority has witnessed an increase in the number of registered Complementary medicines (including those that are locally produced), which resulted from increased awareness about the Complementary Medicines Regulations and increased enforcement activities. This year a total of 69 Complementary medicines were approved or…

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NBSZ On Course To Meeting 2018 Blood Collections Target

Healthtimes

BLOOD collections for the year 2018 have been the highest since  2014, at the back of increased awareness and  countrywide blood drives despite an increase in demand for blood  which was brought about by the scrapping of blood user fees, the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, NBSZ Public Affairs Manager, Esther Massundah said the coming in of the free blood initiative for all public health institutions resulted in NBSZ adjusting its 2018 annual collections target upwards by 25 percent from 70,000…

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#JUSTIN: Gvt Suspends Student Nurses Recruitment For 2019

Healthtimes

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has suspended recruitment of student nurses from May 2019 and beyond, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Although we are yet to establish the reasons behind the move, a letter penned by the Secretary for Health, Major General, Dr Gerald Gwinji to all provincial Medical officers, chief executive officers, medical superintendents  and schools of nursing confirms the development. “With regards to the above, please be informed that the recruitment of student nurses from May 2019 and beyond has been suspended. “You should…

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Family Planning Ambassador Fights Teen Pregnancies

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), brand ambassador Adiona Chidzonga has gone on massive campaign against early teen pregnancies and child marriages in rural areas. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mt Darwin In an interview during the Brand Ambassador’s visit of the Youth Friendly Centre in Mt Darwin,  Chidzonga bemoaned the high teen pregnancy cases in the Mashonaland Central province and blamed it on traditional beliefs and customs which normalizes early child marriages. “The issue of teenage pregnancies in this province, in particular this district is very high. It is…

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TelOne Promotes Healthy Environment In Mabvuku

Healthtimes

STATE-owned converged telecommunications company TelOne donated 100 litter bins and water tanks in Mabvuku on Thursday as part of their efforts to envision a clean healthy environment. By Kudakwashe Pembere Speaking on behalf of TelOne’s Managing Director Mrs Chipo Mutasa was Corporate Services Director Mr Hopewell Zinyau who said they have taken the program in 13 cities. “As some of you may already be aware, TelOne has defined Environmental management as a key thematic area for our corporate social investment programming. As such we have, since 2016 been involved in…

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NatPharm Retail Pharmacies On Cards

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE’S state run medical supplies distributor National Pharmaceuticals (NatPharm) will soon open retail pharmacies nationwide starting in Harare to counter the extortionate three tier pricing of medicines, a Cabinet official said on Thursday. By Kudakwashe Pembere The broadening of the company’s portfolio into retailing is expected to benefit  Zimbabweans currently bearing the brunt of forking out the elusive US$. This move will see NatPharm as a player in the cut-throat market thereby increasing competition. Addressing journalists after touring NatPharm, Health and Childcare Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said this move will…

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#Breaking: Mpilo Hospital Doctors Go On Strike Demanding US$ Salaries

Healthtimes

MPILO Hospital junior doctors are on strike after being incensed by Government’s position that it will not pay them using foreign currency. By Kudakwashe Pembere Amongst the doctors’ grievances was the issue of getting their salaries in United States Dollars. In one of the placards reads, “No to Slavery! Bond Not is not equal to USD. We want Real Money.” The industrial action is now in day 13 as doctors, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association and the Health Service Board are never reaching a common ground to see the striking…

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National Medical Aid Scheme Key To Universal Health Coverage

Healthtimes

THE long overdue establishment of a National Health Insurance Scheme is crucial in achieving universal health coverage as Zimbabwe explores various ways to increase domestic funding for patching up the bleeding healthcare delivery system. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was recommended during the Universal Health Coverage celebrations hosted by the Community Working Group on Health in Harare on Wednesday. This submission comes at a time when resources in the health sector are heavily constrained with doctors on strike on one end, as well as the obtaining deterioration of the country’s healthcare…

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2018 Top 10 Health Champions

Healthtimes

THE issue of health is very diverse as it covers a vast area ranging from HIV/AIDS, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), maternal health, nutrition, gender rights, human health rights among a host of others. The year 2018 has been a turbulent one for Zimbabwe following a series of woes which bedeviled the health sector. Since the beginning of the year, the country has experienced at least three cholera outbreaks with the first one having been reported in Chegutu, then came the Harare one and the…

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