Author: Healthtimes

Female Condom Uptake Still Low

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa UPTAKE of female condoms is currently at 0.1% owing to a myriad of factors chief among them being cultural and religious beliefs, HealthTimes has learnt. Briefing a Media Workshop organised by UNFPA in Kadoma  this morning, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Assistant Director Evaluation and Research Lovejoy Gamba said they intend to reduce teenage pregnancies from 24% to 12% by 2020. “The ZNFPC aims to increase Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) from 59% to 68% and reduce teenage pregnancy from the current 24% to 125 by 2020.…

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Another EarthQuake Hits Botswana, Is Zimbabwe Safe?

Healthtimes

Staff Reporter  BARELY three months after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Botswana, another one ranging M 4.9 has struck again today , leaving Botswana citizens in a state of shock. In a recent post by the Botswana Government facebook page, the earthquake occurred around 11:37 AM today some 137 Kilometres of Lethlakane. “The US Geological Survey (USGS) International earthquake tracking centre has confirmed readings of 4.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred at 11:37 AM today some 137 km SSW of Letlhakane, in the Central District, Botswana 2017-07-04 1:37:05 (CAT) local time.…

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Teen Pregnancies Rock Chimanimani

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa A total of 237 teenage girls have given birth at Mutambara Mission Hospital since the beginning of the year. Briefing ministry of health officials and donors, officials at the Hospital confirmed the sad development and blamed the presence of illegal miners in the Rusitu and Hotsprings areas. “Teen pregnancies is a major challenge in Chimanimani district, 237 teenagers have given birth Mutambara mission hospital since January. “Mutsvangwa, Rusitu & Hotsprings are hot spots in teen preg in Chimanimani district mostly because of illegal mining activities in these areas. Mutambara…

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DRC Ebola outbreak declared over

Healthtimes

SOUREC: 3-mob The small outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic of Congo is over, according to the World Health Organisation. Four people died and four survived after infection in what was the first outbreak since the 2014-2016 West African one that claimed 11,000 lives. It has been 42 days since the last known case. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “With the end of this epidemic, DRC has once again proved to the world that we can control the very deadly Ebola virus if we respond early in a coordinated and…

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Rampant post-natal depression among Zim women

Healthtimes

By Kudakwashe Pembere About 30percent of Zimbabwean women undergoing the 6 week post-natal checkups suffer from post-natal depression, a mental health expert said on Friday. Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth which can affect both sexes. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, crying episodes, and irritability. Speaking on an SFM show, Dr Dixon Chibanda said this condition is common among Zimbabwean mothers. “Post-natal depression is highly prevalent in Zimbabwe. Studies that we…

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Without aid, who will pay for African healthcare?

Healthtimes

By Simon Allison In Kigali, at the World Health Organisation’s first ever Africa Health Forum, delegates have given themselves one not-so-simple task: to provide universal health care to all Africans. But even should the assembled diplomats, medical practitioners, policy wonks and conference junkies figure out how to deliver on this ambitious goal, an even bigger question hangs over proceedings: who is going to pay for it all? We know who is not going to pay for it. Western donors have funded many of Africa’s health initiatives over the years, including…

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Zim’s Aids Levy charms Uganda

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter Zimbabwe’s AIDS Levy has captivated Uganda which wants to copy the model as a way of coming up with own healthcare funding model. Realising the massive contributions made by mobile network operators to the fiscus, Zimbabwe instituted a 5% tax on all mobile data and call charges, which goes straight into the Aids Levy to help combat HIV/Aids. Uganda’s expression of copying Zimbabwe’s Aids Levy comes at a time when African nations are coming up with alternative healthcare funding models which are homegrown other than donor funding.…

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UNFPA Donates Reproductive Health Kits To Flood Victims

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter UNITED Nations Family Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over reproductive health and dignity kits valued at US$189 000 to women and girls affected by Cyclone Dineo in Tsholotsho, Muzarabani and Mbire districts. Some parts of the country were affected by floods which came as a result of high rainfall and the situation was further worsened by the tropical Cyclone Dineo in March this year forcing government to appeal for assistance from development partners.   Addressing delegates at the official handover ceremony of the kits, UNFPA Assistant Representative…

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Traditional Leaders Driving Primary Health Care

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mapanzure TRADITIONAL leaders have always been key figures in the upholding of societal standards and effecting laws that guide and protect citizens since time immemorial. Under the African setup, traditional leaders in this case, chiefs, village headmen, district officers, Councillors among others play a pivotal role in determining the fate of their people. In Zimbabwe, traditional leaders hold key functions even at top political levels as the constitution of Zimbabwe recognises the role of traditional chiefs and leaders. It is through their influence that traditional…

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