Healthtimes |

Reprieve for PSMAS clients

February 7, 2018 Healthtimes

Doctors in Chinhoyi have scraped co-payment fees for patients using Premier Services Medical Aid Society. The development, hailed by both medical practitioners and PSMAS clients, comes after the medical aid provider met its obligations. SOURCE: THE HERALD General medical practitioners were demanding co-payments of about $20 before attending to patients visiting their surgeries on the PSMAS scheme. Dr Samuel Mvurume, a neurologist who is one of the society’s service providers, yesterday said they had since scrapped the co-payments after PSMAS cleared arrears. He hailed PSMAS’ efforts in creating confidence in their services. “PSMAS…

Health Ministry failing to service debts

February 7, 2018 Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is reportedly failing to services its debts to various suppliers of goods and services dating back to as far as 2012, Parliament has heard. By Daniel Phiri The inability to service the debts is attributed to paltry releases by treasury and general poor funding of the health sector from the country’s national budget. In 2018, Ministry of Health had demanded about US$1.1billion but only got about US$408 million which was later increased to about US$520 following threats to sabotage budget by Parliament. Presenting…

Ministry of Health Using Stone-Age Accounting Systems

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018 Healthtimes

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is still using obsolete manual accounting systems which are prone to manipulation, making it difficult for auditors to detect any financial anomalies, HealthTimes has learnt. HealthTimes Correspondent Briefing Parliament on their findings, Public Accounts Portfolio Committee Chair, Hon Paurina Mpariwa said the committee had discovered that the ministry, its departments and health institutions were using outdated accounting systems at a time when the rest of the world was moving with technologies. “At this time where we have ICTs, the ministry continues to…

USAid programme throws lifeline to mothers, babies

February 6, 2018 Healthtimes

SAKUBVA District Hospital is located in a high-density suburb in Sakubva, Mutare. This public hospital, surrounded by large mountains, has become a safe haven for mothers and babies from remote areas who would have faced complications at birth. BY FLORENCE RONDOZAI/ DOREEN HOVE The hospital has one of the 29 Kangaroo Mother Care units for premature babies in Manicaland province that the USAid-supported Maternal and Child Health Integrated Programme (MCHIP) made functional through extensive training of health care workers, refurbishments, and supply of new equipment. These units have been instrumental…

#BREAKING: NBSZ Board Hijack Blood Bank

February 3, 2018February 3, 2018 Healthtimes

NATIONAL Blood Services Zimbabwe (NBSZ) board has reportedly hijacked the blood bank amidst indications that it is refusing to relinquish power and is blocking donors’ calls to allow government to have a say in the affairs of the entity. By Michael Gwarisa Impeccable sources who spoke to HealthTimes soon after the NBSZ crunch meeting which was held yesterday said the board which is being chaired by Justice Lesley Smith wants to maintain the status quo in which the entity is being run more as personal private property. “The donors rejected…

#BREAKING: Harare Hospital Boss, Vera Retires

February 2, 2018 Healthtimes

HARARE Hospital Clinical Director Mr George Vera has retired from service after serving the hospital for almost three decades. By Kudakwashe Pembere In an exclusive interview with HealthTimes, Mr Vera said he was just retiring from the position of Clinical director only. “I am retiring from the position of Clinical Director but still working with the Hospital as a consultant,” he said. Mr Vera joined the institution in 1989 heading the Surgery department. Meanwhile, a farewell ceremony is being held in honour of his long service at the institution

“There Is No Cholera in Norton” Gwinji

February 1, 2018 Healthtimes

THE ministry of health and child care says the reported Cholera case in Norton had actually tested negative contrary to Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa’s warning which he circulated on Social Media claiming one person had tested positive in the area. HeathTimes Reporter In a statement, health and child care secretary, Major General, Dr Gerald Gwinji said the only confirmed cases so far were those recorded in Chegutu and the Norton case had actually tested negative. “My ministry wishes to give an update on the Cholera outbreak situation in Chegutu Municipality…

We Need Affordable Medical Aid says Sex Workers

January 31, 2018 Healthtimes

SEX workers have bemoaned the lack of affordable medical health insurance as a hindrance to them accessing basic sexual reproductive health services, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to some ladies of the trade who pligh their profession along Mbuya Nehanda street in Harare, they said being a sex worker should be treated as a job just like teaching or nursing and medical aid companies should tailor-make packages that suit low income earning groups like vendors and sex workers. “As you are aware my brother, when you see us…

Why is treatment adherence difficult for young people?

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 Healthtimes

“When I found out I was HIV positive, I felt lonely and angry,” said Ntsiki, 22, from Swaziland. “I just needed someone to help me, to give me advice and counselling, to explain to me how I am going to take my treatment; at the right time, the right way, consistently.” BY JENNY BERG Ntsiki is now a Community Adolescent Treatment Supporter (CATS) providing peer-to-peer information, counselling and support to adolescents and young people living with HIV. I met her during a recent visit to Swaziland while producing a film…

#BREAKING: Cholera Hits Norton

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 Healthtimes

A Cholera case has been reported in Norton amidst indications that the latest victim has got links to the Chegutu funeral where an 80 year old woman died of Cholera two weeks ago. By Michael Gwarisa According to ministry of health statistics, Cholera has so far killed five people in Chegutu while more than 30 people have been hospitalized. All the victims are reported to have attended the funeral in question and it is feared that the gathering attracted guests from places as far as Harare among other surrounding areas.…