Author: Healthtimes

There is need to change health professionals Curriculum to suit SRHR

Healthtimes

A conversation with SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), CSOs, Nurses Association, Progressive Doctors Association and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. By Patricia Mashiri Sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are one of the key issues in the discussion on the health rights of adolescents. Speaking during a round table discussion hosted by SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), Mrs Hamida Ismail- Mauto the SRHR Country Operations Manager said there was need to use a multi-sectoral approach in making sure that adolescents access SRHR services. Onset of sexual activity during adolescence is now common,…

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Memoirs of GBV survivors: Catholic Relief Services and Musasa pave way for healing

Healthtimes

With tears rolling down her cheeks, Sarudzai* 34 recalls the fateful day she was struck by an axe on her right arm. Bleeding profusely with a deep cut, she battled for her life. She stares into blank spaces, avoiding eye contact and trying but all means to forget the horrific incident. By Tariro Mhute “I am sure that day he really wanted to kill me. I felt wounded outside and inside, my heart was bleeding too, my heart had been shredded into tiny bits and pieces. I kept asking myself…

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Male circumcisions disrupted by COVID-19, fall short of the 2020 target

Healthtimes

In areas with high HIV prevalence and low rates of male circumcision, voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) can greatly contribute to HIV prevention. Despite this, there was a steep drop in the number of VMMCs performed in the 15 priority countries in 2020, due mainly to service disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: approximately 2.8 million procedures were performed in 2020, compared with 4.1 million in 2019. Several countries suspended their programmes when the pandemic took hold, including South Africa. Despite this, programmes in some countries proved resilient enough to recover…

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#JUSTIN: Zimbabwe Ready To Administer Booster COVID-19 Jabs

Healthtimes

SOURCE: ZBC The Ministry of Health and Child Care says booster doses for frontline workers, those with chronic diseases and the elderly are available and will commence with immediate effect. Announcing the development, Acting Secretary for Health and Child Care. Dr. R.F. Mudyiradima also said all returning residents and visitors shall be subjected to mandatory PCR testing even if they present a negative PCR test from elsewhere. The regulations follow the enactment of Statutory Instrument 267 of 2021: Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No.2) (Amendment) Order.…

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WHO has no reports yet of Covid deaths from Omicron variant

Healthtimes

The WHO has said it will take several weeks to get a full picture of Omicron’s transmissibility and disease severity and to assess how vaccines, tests and treatments hold up against the new variant. By AFP GENEVA: The World Health Organization said Friday, December 3, 2021, it had not seen any reports of deaths relating to the new Omicron variant of Covid-19. The WHO said it was collecting evidence about the variant of concern (VOC), as countries around the world scramble to stop it from spreading. But despite a growing…

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NCDs and Disability Perspective During The IDD 2021

Healthtimes

As Best Non-Communicable Diseases Zimbabwe (BeatNCDs Zim) we join the world in commemorating the International Day of Disability which is celebrated every year on the 4th of December. This year’s theme is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”  So as people living with NCDs(PLWNCDs) and people with disabilities(PWDs) we are taking the centre stage of this year’s commemoration by being meaningfully involved in unpacking the relationship between NCDs and disability. By Jacob Ngwenya Non-communicable diseases are diseases that are not transmitted…

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Zim Only Has 22 Radiologists

Healthtimes

THERE are 22 radiologists serving the whole of Zimbabwe with the majority based in Harare, one stationed in Bulawayo, HealthTimes has learned By Fungai Masona This grim revelation comes at a time when massive brain drain of health workers is further crippling the health sector. In an interview, Dr CADX co-founder Mr Gift Gana said this was testimony to the limited human and infrastructural resources in Zimbabwe. We have got limited resources in Zimbabwe. And this includes radiologists who are our specialists for interpreting medical images. Here in Zimbabwe we…

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Fulfilling Our Promise to adolescents and young people

Healthtimes

My years of work in HIV prevention have taught me a few things. Among them, one of the important things I have learnt is that if people do not know how to protect themselves or how to access treatment, they will not be able to prevent HIV or lead happy and fulfilling lives with HIV. Therefore, information and education is key. But its not the only thing needed. I might have the information that unsafe sex may expose me to HIV or other STIs, but I may still go ahead…

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“Without Sufficient Domestic Financing, Forget About Ending AIDS By 2030,” –HIV Advocates

Healthtimes

ENDING AIDS by 2030 remains a pipedream for Zimbabwe if the current scenario whereby majority of funding for healthcare if coming from international donor organizations, top HIV and AIDS advocates have said. By Patricia Mashiri Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards reducing new HIV infections and deaths over the years through support from global partners such as the PEPFAR, The Global Fund (GF) and others. However, emerging health issues such as the COVID-19 coupled with donor fatigue could see donors gradually shifting focus towards other issues. Addressing a 2021 World…

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Fighting HIV in the Midst of COVID-19 – Consolidating Gains, Increasing Investments!

Healthtimes

JUST as was the case in 2020, we commemorate this year’s World Aids Day (WAD) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is likely to shadow this year’s commemorations. The drowning of HIV by COVID-19 is likely to shift political attention and financing away from efforts to consolidate the gains made in the fight against HIV over the years. By Paul Sixpence As we commemorate this year’s WAD and contend with COVID-19, we should never lose sight of our collective obligation to…

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