Author: Healthtimes

Abortion is not illegal but restricted in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Memory Pamella Kadau Zimbabwe’s Termination of Pregnancy Act (TOP) provides a legal framework on when and how can women and girls access safe abortion services. The Act provides only three grounds under which pregnancy can be lawfully terminated in the country.  It further provides that pregnancies can only be terminated by a registered medical practitioner and authorized by a court order. However, these grounds are very narrow and result in a many women and girls seeking unsafe abortions every year which expose them to health complications and death. The…

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Lois Chingandu appointed Interim Executive Director of Frontline AIDS

Healthtimes

Lois Chingandu will be stepping in as the Interim Executive Director of Frontline AIDS in January 2023, having successfully worked as our Director of Evidence and Influence since 2019, the Frontline AIDS has announced. Lois will be joined by Divya Bajpai, Director of Programmes and Partnerships, who will be acting as Deputy Executive Director during this interim period.  The appointments follow Christine Stegling’s move to UNAIDS as Deputy Executive Director, where she will lead the new Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge branch. UNAIDS is a vital partner in Frontline AIDS’ work,…

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Zimbabwe SRHR Champions for 2022

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has over the years made significant strides in terms of advancing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services to a number of people from different age groups. However, despite the progress that has been made, there still remains some unfinished business that need to be faced head on in order to ensure equitable access to SRH services. Some of the unfinished business hindering Zimbabwe’s progress towards attaining SRH targets include rape or sexual abuse, Gender Based Violence (GBV), teen pregnancies, early child marriages, poor access to sanitary health and lack of…

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Public Health Association on the cards

Healthtimes

Delegates at the recently ended two-day inaugural Public Health Symposium held in Harare resolved to form an all-inclusive Public Health Association. The resolution was hailed by participants as an initiative which will advance public health agenda in Zimbabwe. Staff Reporter Addressing delegates at the symposium Mr. Adriel Badza a public Health enthusiast lamented the absence of an all-inclusive Public Health Association in the country. Gone are the days when health was a preserve of medical scientists and hospitals,” Badza said “in contemporary practice the field has broadened in recognition of…

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Generation Health partners ZMCA for Health cover

Healthtimes

Generation Health Medical Aid Fund has joined hands with Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association (ZCMA), in a partnership that will see members from the ZIMCA access various medical aid packages as well as wellness programs. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mary Chitando, Generation Health, Head Sales and Marketing said morbidity knows no boundaries hence there is need for a medical aid package that is tailor-made to cater for the needs of minsters of the word of God as well as their congregants. As we embark on this journey,…

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Monkeypox Disease Gets New Name, It’s Now Called “Mpox”

Healthtimes

Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while “monkeypox” is phased out. By Own Correspondent When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier this year, racist and stigmatizing language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO. In several meetings, public and private, a number of individuals and countries raised concerns and asked WHO to propose a way forward to change…

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UMP chiefs commit to protect the girl child from sexual abuse and child marriages

Healthtimes

CHIEFS from Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) have launched the Chiefs’ commitments on promoting child protection and ending child marriages in an effort to reduce harmful practices that perpetuate child sexual abuse and marriages. By Patricia Mashiri With the help of Rozaria Memorial Trust, Ministry of local governance and public works and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium  Enterprises Development, the chiefs  who pledged their commitment are Chief Nyajina of Uzumba, Chief  Chipfiyamiti of Uzumba, Chief Chinhanga of Maramba and Chief Chitsungo of Pfungwe. Addressing the National…

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HIV self-testing proves popular …as tailor-made service improves access

Healthtimes

I have listened to people who are hesitant to get an HIV test, the moment they reach the health facility, they back off, for fear of the unknown. They have consoled themselves that, “It is better not to know, what you don’t know does not kill you.” Catherine Murombedzi How wrong it is, in health issues, what you don’t know has the potential to kill you. With many HIV infected males reporting at health facilities late, what they don’t know can be fatal. Thanks to HIV self-testing kits. For those…

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World pays the price to AMR low risk perception

Healthtimes
AMR

[pullquote]”Antibiotics are life-saving, but they should only be taken when they have been prescribed by a health worker for bacterial infections.”[/pullquote] By Catherine Murombedzi Misuse, abuse and unnecessary exposure to antibiotics, when they are prescribed and used for conditions that are not caused by bacteria, like colds and flus, allows antibiotic-resistant strains to develop, this was highlighted in a recent webinar by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and experts during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). With antimicrobial resistance now ranked a leading killer among all other diseases and conditions,…

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WALPE pushes for enactment of sexual harassment Act

Healthtimes

The Women Academy for Leadership and Academy for Excellence (WALPE) is pushing for a stand-alone sexual harassment act to be passed into law in order to protect women and girls from sexual predators in the workplace. By Patricia Mashiri The said law will have a stipulated penalty for offenders unlike under the current scenario whereby sexual harassment is covered by the Labour Act (28.1) and the criminal law codification and reform Act (9.23) where the WALPE argues that they are inadequate to protect women. Speaking during a meeting on the…

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