Author: Healthtimes

PMI Chief Calls for Urgent Embrace of Smoke-Free Alternatives to Save Lives

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma in Dubai Despite years of anti-smoking campaigns and strict tobacco control measures, the global number of smokers remains stubbornly high. According to peer-reviewed data, about 75 percent of those who attempt to quit relapse within six months. This persistent challenge, experts say, underscores the need for alternative solutions such as smoke-free products. Speaking at the Technovation Summit in Dubai, Philip Morris International (PMI) Chief Executive Officer Jacek Olczak urged governments and regulators to support the adoption of smoke-free alternatives for smokers who cannot or will not…

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The silent weight of love – a mother’s journey raising a child with disability

Healthtimes

Abstract The birth of a child with a disability presents significant psychological challenges for mothers, often resulting in heightened emotional distress, including grief, depression, and anxiety. Mothers raising children with disabilities often bear a profound, yet silent, emotional and physical burden.  This article reviews the psychological effects experienced by these mothers, identifies contributing factors, and discusses evidence-based interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes. Understanding these dynamics is critical for healthcare providers to offer comprehensive care and support. Introduction   The arrival of a new-born typically signifies hope and joy. However, when a…

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Investing in Zimbabwe’s Girls isn’t Charity, it’s a National Imperative

Healthtimes

By Etona Ekole, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative On this International Day of the Girl (October 11), UNICEF Zimbabwe’s Representative, Etona Ekole, highlights the immense potential of Zimbabwean girls and the critical importance of investing in their futures. ​ She emphasizes that every girl lost to child marriage or school dropout represents a lost future leader. ​ A personal encounter with an aspiring biochemist in Epworth illustrates why shifting perspectives is vital for Zimbabwe’s economic and social progress. ​ On this International Day of the Girl, my thoughts are not on statistics…

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ZNFPC appoints Machinga as the new CEO

Healthtimes

By Columbus Mavhunga Harare: Farai Machinga is the new substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) having been in an acting role for some time. In a statement, ZNFPC said Machinga took the position since the beginning of this month. Mr Machinga is a distinguished public health specialist with over a decade of extensive experience across various developmental sectors including government, and non-governmental settings,” said ZNFPC. “In his previous role as acting CEO, Mr Machinga led ZNFPC to many outstanding corporate and personal achievements.…

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Navigating the Midlife Crisis: Understanding Its Impact on Mental Health and Strategies for Resilience

Healthtimes

By Method Moyo Tariro and Blessing (pseudonyms) have been married for over twenty years. From the outside, they appear settled with two grown children, a modest home in Kwekwe, and years of shared memories. However, inside their quiet house, a storm brews. As the Shona proverb says, “Chakafukidza dzimba matenga.” Tariro, now 47, feels invisible. Her days are filled with caregiving, church commitments, and the struggle of adjusting to a body she no longer recognizes. Blessing, 52, is restless—questioning his career, masculinity, and whether he has lived up to the…

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Golden Threads Of Hope: Illuminating Early Detection in Zimbabwe’s Fight Against Childhood Cancer

Healthtimes

By Phillip Hondokosa  September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, marked globally by the gold ribbon – a symbol of courage, resilience, and the fight against childhood cancer. In Zimbabwe, it is more than a symbol: it is a call to action. Childhood cancer is real, and while it cannot always be prevented, it is treatable when detected early. For our nation, where children embody the promise of tomorrow, awareness and timely action can mean the difference between life and loss. One of the greatest challenges we face is the stark…

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Businesses Fail when they Fail to Support Women Interests

Healthtimes

By Professor Myriam Sidibe Amid predictions of Africa’s growth and the potential of its youth, one inconvenient statistic tells a different story. Africa has the highest rate of femicide worldwide [2.9 victims per 100,000 in 2023] – around 22,000 women and girls are killed every year by an intimate partner or family member. I spend a lot of time tackling this inexcusable epidemic through the organisations, brands and companies I work with. This week I am at the United Nations General Assembly in New York trying to keep this overlooked…

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South African court rules that men can take wife’s surname

Healthtimes

South Africa’s highest court has ruled that husbands can take the surname of their wives, overturning a law that barred them from doing so. In a victory for two couples who brought the case, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law amounted to gender-based discrimination. Henry van der Merwe was denied the right to take the surname of his wife Jana Jordaan, while Andreas Nicolas Bornman could not hyphenate his surname to include Donnelly, the surname of his wife, Jess Donnelly-Bornman, the public broadcaster, SABC, reports. Parliament will now have…

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Zimbabwe’s HIV Care at Risk as Funding Cuts Loom

Healthtimes

By Rukudzo Gota In an unsettling turn of events, funding cuts from the U.S. and other donor nations are jeopardizing years of progress in HIV care and treatment in Zimbabwe. As a community advocates like Angela Jambo who has dedicated over two decades to supporting those living with HIV—bear witness to the unraveling of critical support systems, the health of thousands hangs in the balance. With supplies dwindling and support networks collapsing, the future looks bleak for a nation that once made significant strides in managing Angela Jambo, a community…

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China Firm Plans World’s First Pregnancy Humanoid Robot Using Artificial Womb

Healthtimes
China firm plans world’s first pregnancy humanoid robot using artificial womb

A Chinese tech firm is racing to deliver what could be the world’s first “gestation robot.” Kaiwa Technology, based in Guangzhou, has unveiled plans for a humanoid robot designed with an artificial womb embedded in its abdomen, capable of carrying a fetus through ten months of gestation and delivering a baby, according to Chinese media reports. Slated for debut by 2026 and expected to cost under 100,000 yuan (around US$13,900), the robot is being positioned as a pregnancy alternative for individuals who wish to avoid the burdens of human gestation.…

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