Author: Healthtimes

Zim Defers HIV Drug Roll Out…Drug Deforms Unborn Babies

Healthtimes

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has deffered roll out of the HIV  Dolutegravir (DTG) drug  following indications that it causes complications in women of child bearing age and adolescent girls, which might lead to deformities in unborn babies born to HIV positive mothers taking the drug at the time of conception. HealthTimes Reporter Zimbabwe intended to scale up Dolutegravir as a first choice ARV to all people living with HIV in the country next year. The drug is currently being used to manage HIV in people who fail…

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Zim Launches Prep Strategy…Program targets key populations

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has launched Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) strategy for 2018 up to 2020 which is aimed at scaling up uptake of the PrEP drug amongst key populations and those at high risk of contracting HIV. By Michael Gwarisa Launching the strategy document, Health and Child Care minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa said Zimbabwe still faced a huge HIV challenge as it is still recording incidence around 32 000 people every year hence the need to increase prevention mechanisms. “Now I am proud to emphasise that we have successfully managed to reduce…

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NetOne Rewards Rural School For Giving Blood

Healthtimes

THE country’s second largest Mobile Network Operator (MNO), NetOne yesterday donated five computers to Mutenderende High school from Chirumhanzu for being the biggest blood donor for the period 2017 to date. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Gweru The move is part of their countrywide program which seeks to support schools from all the country’s 10 provinces which are excelling in the areas of blood donation. Addressing delegates at the World Blood Donor Day in Gweru, NetOne Executive Media Services Manager, Mr Clever Isaya said the schools support program was an…

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Zim Prepared For Free Blood Initiative…as WHO gives nod to Program

Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT says it is prepared to implement the free blood initiative which commences next month amidst indications that capable infrastructure and funding mechanisms have been put in place to complement the program. By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru The program which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in collaboration with the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is set to benefit maternal cases and vulnerable societal groups with the  aim of closing the high mortality rate as a result of loss of blood. Officiating at…

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Health Ministry Receives Digital Library Equipment

Healthtimes

The Ministry of Health and Childcare has received the digital repository machines from the University of Zimbabwe which will make all the necessary on demand health information on Zimbabwe easily available via the internet. HealthTimes Reporter Speaking on behalf of UZ Vice Chancellor Professor Levi Nyagura, Research and Academic Affairs Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Pedzisai Mashiri said the journey to envision this virtual repository started last year.   The digitalization of libraries and the aim of this digitalization is to consolidate the training and research needs of the health sector…

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USAID Launches $25 million Family Health Progam

Healthtimes

USAID has launched a $25 million family health program dubbed the Mhuli/Imuli which is a five year package meant to improve the health of Zimbabwean families By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the launch, USAID mission director Stephanie Funk, said the program is a partnership between FHI360 and the USAID and will expand martenal, newborn, child health and family planning services. “Today is an exiting day. It is exiting because we are celebrating the launch of our new five year $25 million program called Mhuri/Imuli. In English, that means family. USAID…

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Govt Appoints First Lady Amai Mnangagwa Maternal and Child Health Ambassador

Healthtimes

Government on Wednesday bestowed a special recognition to First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa by appointing her the  ambassador for child and maternal health after noticing her immense contribution towards raising awareness in those issues. By Kudakwashe Pembere Amai Mnangagwa received a plaque and a trophy for championing child and maternal health at Parirenyatwa Hospital. Amai Mnangagwa has been at the forefront of promoting maternal health in particular raising cervical cancer awareness. Upon becoming Zimbabwe’s Lady, Amai Mnangagwa quietly visited the country’s major hospitals. These visits were later to be joined by…

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Zim launches School Health Policy

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has launched a school health policy which will act as a yardstick towards planning and programming for school children’s  health activities and the sector at large. By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the launch ceremony, Health and Child Care minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said the policy had come at a time when Zimbabwe needed an education sector specific policy which will scale up disease prevention and programing in schools. “Ill health in schools has been characterised by increasing incidence and prevalence of communicable diseases like HIV infection, tuberculosis, including neglected…

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When families take HIV head on

Healthtimes

AS the late noblewoman of Wales, Princess Diana rightly put it, “Family is the most important thing in the world.” You certainly can’t trade them, no matter how much they wrong you. By Michael Gwarisa The power of family has certainly proved  to be the strongest force to ever exist even beyond some thick barriers which have been brought about by the HIV pandemic. In the remote farming and mining community of Alaska in Chinhoyi, families have taken it upon themselves to fight HIV through initiating family support groups which…

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Airtime Health Levy to fund Free blood initiative

Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT is set to tap into the airtime health levy to fund the free blood for all initiative starting next month, amidst indications that the levy is now generating more that $20 million every year. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing a media sensitisation workshop in Chinhoyi recently, Health and Child Care minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa assured Zimbabweans that the free blood for all move was going ahead as planned and mechanisms have already been put in place to finance the move. “Starting July, we are saying everyone who blood needs should…

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