Author: Healthtimes

Demystifying Menstrual Cups…Even Virgins Can Use Them

Healthtimes

THE pricing of menstrual ware such as sanitary pads, tampons, pant liners among others has reached astronomical levels in Zimbabwe resulting in some vulnerable girls and women losing productive hours as they have to bunk school lessons and working hours. By Michael Gwarisa Owing to foreign currency shortages, sanitary ware manufactures are finding it difficult to import raw materials to manufacture pads amongst a host other stuff. A pack of 10 sanitary pads costs not less than $1 or $2 depending on where one would have bought them. However, did…

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PSI/Global Aid Partner To Provide SRH Services For People With Albinism

Healthtimes

IN a move that set to improve access to health services for people living with albinism, the Population Services International Zimbabwe (PSI) has partnered Global Aid Mission in setting up a clinic which offers comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services under one roof. By Michael Gwarisa The move follows indications that most people living with the albinism condition and other disabilities shun seeking SRH services such as HIV testing,  HIV treatment and care, ST screening,  among others due to fear of stigma and discrimination in societies and health institutions. Officiating…

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A Week’s Worth of Fitness Workouts for Absolute Beginners

Healthtimes

If you’re a beginning exerciser or its been a long time since you worked out, you may be wondering exactly where to start. How much cardio should you do and what about strength training? How do you fit it all in while avoiding getting too sore or, worse, getting injured? Your first step is learning the basics of how to set up a workout program. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out yourself. Experts have already figured out the most important components to creating a quality exercise routine and…

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Blood Bank Adequately Stocked For Free Blood Initiative

Healthtimes

THE free blood initiative being spearheaded by the ministry of health and child care in partnership with the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) kicks off in a few days amidst indications that the blood bank has enough stock to sustain the program. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes, NBSZ Public Affairs manager, Esther Massundah said all  was is place for the free blood initiative which commences July, 1 2018 across all public hospitals while for private hospitals, the user fees remain at $120. “NBSZ is prepared for the…

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No Joy For New HSB Board…As Doctors Threaten Another Strike

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZDHA) has written a hard hitting letter to the newly appointed Health Services Board (HSB) board over failure by the previous board to fully address doctors concerns which were raised during the just ended one month long doctors strike. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview, ZDHA secretary general, Dr Mxolisi Ngwenya said they had given the new HSB  board a 14 day ultimatum to resolve the the issues that were left handing by their predecessors, citing that the HSB had failed to respect the collective…

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New Drug Prevents Excessive Bleeding During Childbirth- WHO

Healthtimes

A new formulation of a drug to prevent excessive bleeding following childbirth could save thousands of women’s lives in low- and lower-middle-income countries, according to a study led by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with MSD for Mothers and Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Currently WHO recommends oxytocin as the first-choice drug for preventing excessive bleeding after childbirth. Oxytocin, however, must be stored and transported at 2–8 degrees Celsius, which is hard to do, in many countries, depriving many women of access to this lifesaving drug. When they can obtain it, the drug may be less effective because…

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Static Sites To Improve Prep Tracking For Sex Workers

Healthtimes

THE setting up of Static Sites along the country’s major highways and boarder posts is set to improve tracking of sex workers who would have been initiated on the Pre -Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) drug to ensure HIV negative sex workers maintain their status. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview, National Aids Council (NAC) Key Populations (KP) coordinator, Jerry Manyika efforts efforts to kick start the Static Sites program are now at an advanced stage and they will be offering comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services for sex workers…

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Mining Firms Should Emulate Zimplats…As Company Refurbishes Kadoma Hospital

Healthtimes

Health and Child Care minister Dr David Parirenyatwa says giant mining companies operating in Zimbabwe should consider investing in hospital infrastructure in margianalised areas so as to develop hospitals capacity at community level. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a tour of the newly refurbished Kadoma general hospital, minister Parirenyatwa applauded Zimplats for taking a giant step towards revamping the health institution and called on other companies to emulate the good works. “We are here to look at this wonder which Zimplats has done. On the day of the handover, we…

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How Soon After Sex Can STD Symptoms Start?

Healthtimes

You’re not proud of it, but you had unprotected sex and now you’re worried if the escapade may come with consequences. You’re not the first guy to wonder how soon symptoms might show up if your worst fears are realized and you picked up a sexually transmitted infection (STI). But first: Understand that just because you don’t have symptoms—immediately or ever—doesn’t mean you’re necessarily in the clear. “The most important thing to highlight is that the majority of STDs—be it gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes—tend to be asymptomatic, meaning they don’t…

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How To Have Sex With My HIV+ Partner

Healthtimes

If My Partner Is HIV Positive, How Can I Protect Myself?   Not long ago, it was common for gay and bisexual men and others at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, to engage in “serosorting,” or choosing a romantic partner based on shared HIV status. “Someone who was HIV positive had to live in fear that they would infect their partner,” says Richard Greene, M.D., an HIV researcher and associate professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine. Meanwhile, HIV-negative individuals had to trust…

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