Author: Healthtimes

World AIDS Day 2021 – Message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti

Healthtimes

As we come together with the global community on 1 December to mark World AIDS Day, this year’s theme “End inequalities. End AIDS. End pandemic” has particular resonance nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot express enough our support for those living with HIV, especially within a context where we know that treatment and care have been negatively impacted across Africa by the demands of COVID-19. As we remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS this year, we also acknowledge the terrible death toll the coronavirus…

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President Mnangagwa Announces New COVID-19 Regulations For Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

PRESIDENT Emerson Mnangagwa has announced a raft of new measures as means to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections amidst indications of a surge in daily cases over the past few days. Staff Reporter The new development also follows the discovery of a new Coronavirus strain, the Omicron variant which contains numerous mutations sparking fears of it being highly infections even though available data is yet to confirm such. Measures include: All returning residents to undergo PCR test and Quarantine at their own expense even with a negative PCR test.…

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Aspen confirms non-binding term sheet on manufacture and sale of an Aspen- branded COVID-19 vaccine throughout Africa

Healthtimes

Durban, South Africa – JSE Limited listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (APN), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, is pleased to confirm that one of its wholly-owned South African subsidiaries, Aspen SA Operations (Pty) Limited (“Aspen SA”), has confirmed a non-binding term sheet with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, two of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (“Johnson & Johnson”), that will form the basis for negotiation of a definitive agreement on the manufacture and sale of an Aspen-branded COVID-19 vaccine throughout Africa. That agreement would…

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Antigen Tests Can Detect Omicron Variant- Abbott

Healthtimes

LEADING multinational medical devices and health care company, Abbott has confirmed that both rapid and PCR tests can detect the newly discovered Omicron COVID-19 strain. Staff Reporter Abbott has been intently monitoring the mutations of COVID-19 so as to ensure their tests can detect them. They have already conducted an assessment of the Omicron variant and said they are confident the rapid and PCR tests can detect the virus. “While the Omicron variant contains mutations to the spike protein, Abbott’s rapid and molecular tests – antigen, PCR and NAAT –…

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What We Know About The Omicron Variant So Far

Healthtimes

On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE).  This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes. Here is a summary of what is currently known.   Current knowledge about Omicron  Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron…

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WHO Names New COVID-19 Omicron

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) has named the new COVID-19 strain that was discovered in South Africa Omicron and a SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern. By Fungai Musona The TAG-VE is an independent group of experts that periodically monitors and evaluates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and assesses if specific mutations and combinations of mutations alter the behaviour of the virus. The TAG-VE was convened on 26 November 2021 to assess the SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529. The B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to WHO from…

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Strengthen Referral Pathways To End GBV

Healthtimes

Civil Society Organizations have called for the strengthening of community referral pathways  in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV). By Patricia Mashiri The call comes in the midst of the 16 days against GBV theme running under the theme, “Orange the world: end violence against women now. Speaking during a virtual meeting on GBV response, gaps and opportunities, Vimbai Nyika, the SRHR Africa Trust SRHR  Youth Officer said education is important in making sure that referral paths are built. The communities we live in need to know the important…

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Spotlight Initiative Delivers Safe Market, One Stop Centre To Address GBV

Healthtimes

Harare – the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union, and the United Nations together with local authorities in the Epworth district launched a Safe Market and One Stop Centre as part of ongoing joint efforts to end violence against women and girls. By Fungai Masona The opening of the Safe Market Space and the One Stop Centre coincided with the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence that will take place under a localized theme “End Violence Against Women Now: No to child marriages!” Women Affairs, Community,…

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Lets Intensify Efforts To End Gender Based Violence

Healthtimes

16Days of Activism Statement 16days of Activism against  Gender Based Violence have commenced for the year 2021. As  the day commence we reflect on how Covid- 19 has contributed towards the notable increase in cases of gender based violence. Since time immemorial we have been calling for an end to gender based violence however we continue to see an increase in these cases of gender based violence.  We commend the joined efforts by stakeholders in ending gender based violence. The current status quo on cases of gender based violence requires…

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Road Accidents Deaths Now Equivalent To TB Deaths

Healthtimes

STAKEHOLDERS advocating for a reduction in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) related deaths and conditions have expressed concern over the ever increasing number of deaths from road or traffic accidents over the years. By Patson Gumbo Speaking during an Africa Road Safety Commemorations Day workshop that was hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with Road Safe Zimbabwe, WHO Technical Officer, Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr. Edmore Munongo said road accident deaths were now comparable to some deadly NCDs such as Tuberculosis (TB), with young people mainly between the ages of 15-29…

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