Author: Healthtimes

Things Fall Apart At PSMI

Healthtimes

EMPLOYEES to the Premier Medical Services Investments (PSMI) have written to government requesting the immediate disbanding of the board and suspension of the entire PSMI directorate for failure to run the organisation professionally. HealthTimes Reporter According to a petition addressed to government by PSMI employees, the organisation’s leadership and it’s board have of late been exuding arrogance and ignorance on the prevailing crisis threatening the existence of the organisation. In an interview with HealthTimes, PSMI employees lawyer, Mr Michael Sambo said it was impossible to move ahead with the current…

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Zimbabwe Launches Mass Drug Administration Against Blinding Tracoma

Healthtimes

The Ministry of Health and Child Care working together with SightSavers, World Vision, Basilizwi Trust and WelthungerHilfe has launched a mass treatment / Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for the treatment of trachoma disease which if left untreated causes blindness. Health Reporter A ten-day mass treatment campaign will run in the districts of Shamva, Bindura, Rushinga, Binga, Marondera, Nyanga, Mutasa and Gweru beginning on the 11th July of 2022 to the 20th of July 2022. The mass treatment for trachoma prevents children and adults from going needlessly blind. All people…

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Uproar Over Delayed Visas To AIDS Conference In Canada

Healthtimes

HIV and AIDS activists and advocates  have raised a red flag over the delayed granting of Visas to AIDS Activists, speakers, public health experts and advocates by the Canadian government ahead of International AIDS Confrence to be held in Canada from 29 July to 2 August 2022. By Staff Reporter The delays have been described as horrendous and unacceptable and will likely see key speakers and stakeholders failing to attend. UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Banyima said, “We appeal to the government of Canada to grant Visas expeditiously to experts, activists…

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We are ready to step aside says PSMAS board

Healthtimes

THE battle to control the country’s biggest medical aid society, PSMAS, has reached a crescendo, with indications that all parties involved in this battle for supremacy are digging in. HealthTimes Reporter The ongoing battle involves leaders of the Public Service Association (PSA), and the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Unions (ZCPSTU), the defunct PSMAS board, PSMAS and the government through the Public Service Commission (PSC). Insiders from within PSMAS have since blamed members from the old board members and union leaders for trying to derail the ongoing Forensic Audit by…

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Zim ready for long term injectable PrEP-MoHCC

Healthtimes

IN a bid to increase adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) said it welcomes obtaining studies to advance prevention therapy through long term injectable Pre-Exposure prophylaxes medications. By Staff Reporter This follows the approval of Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension) in 2021 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This will be taken in at-risk adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kilograms (77 pounds) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV. However, in Zimbabwe, current…

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Reaping the rewards of recycling in Harare, Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

“It’s not waste until you waste it!” reads the sign in front of the towering water tanks in the community of Stoneridge on the outskirts of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Here, MSF has developed a system that not only recycles food waste but also wastewater, which has had a meaningful impact on people’s health. MSF Zimbabwe Working with communities in Harare to identify the medical and environmental challenges they face, MSF saw an opportunity to tackle two big issues in Stoneridge. First was how to deal with biodegradable waste, like food…

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Econet Victoria Falls Marathon lives up to its billing

Healthtimes

The 2022 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon lived to its billing on Sunday, attracting over 4 500 local and foreign athletes as the event made a strong return to the racing calendar after a three-year absence due to COVID-19 pandemic. By Staff Reporter The popular marathon, this year attended by athletes from over 30 countries, saw Moses Tarakinyu, who won the 21km race in 2019 – the last time the race was run –  defend his title in just over 01 hour 03 minutes and 30 seconds, followed by Isaac Mpofu…

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Gwanda wins water treatment plant

Healthtimes

GWANDA Municipality now runs the water treatment plant it has been battling to take from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA). By Kudakwashe Pembere This handing over of the water plant to the council comes following intense advocacy by Matebeleland South MP Honourable Sipho Ndlovu-Mokone for ZINWA to relinquish it to the local authorities of Gwanda. Hon. Mokone-Ndlovu said she prays there won’t be any new problems related to water issues. It is quite applauded that Zinwa has official handed the plant to Gwanda Municipality,a move that we have been…

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Study Reveals Substantial Weight Gain In African Women Taking Dolutegravir HIV Drug

Healthtimes

A study analysing data from four African countries found that people living with HIV who switched to a dolutegravir-based antiretroviral regimen had a four-fold increase in average weight gain, compared to the year before the switch. AIDS MAP The World Health Organization endorsed dolutegravir as part of first-line antiretroviral therapy in 2018. It is a preferred antiretroviral medicine, for a range of reasons: it suppresses viral load very quickly, is well tolerated, shows fewer side effects and fewer drug-drug interactions, has a higher genetic barrier to developing drug resistance (as…

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Failure To Prioritize Midwives Welfare Leads To Negative Health Outcomes

Healthtimes

The 5th of May was the International Midwives Day. In Zimbabwe there was very little celebration as the midwives are facing numerous challenges, especially around securing living wages. One of the publications in Zimbabwe reported that midwives are wallowing in poverty while they work under very difficult conditions. Midwives in Zimbabwe are facing many challenges which affect their delivery of work. As this is not enough, on the 20th of June, health workers — midwives included — went on a strike, demanding a salary increase. By Edinah Masiyiwa The challenges…

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