Author: Healthtimes

US Claims Ebola Funding Was Restored. Ugandan Health Workers Still Haven’t Seen the Money

Healthtimes

By Nakisanze Segawa, GPJ Uganda KAMPALA, UGANDA — On Jan. 20, US President Donald Trump abruptly cut funding for the surveillance of and response to an outbreak of the Sudan Ebola virus here. Elon Musk, Trump’s unelected right hand, said in a cabinet meeting on Feb. 26 that the Ebola-response funding was “accidentally” cut but restored immediately. Health workers in Uganda, though, say they’ve seen no sign that the funding has been restored. The United States Agency for International Development administered most of the United States’ foreign aid — until…

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Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe: Guardians of Healthcare Standards and Patient Rights

Healthtimes

The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s health by regulating private and public health institutions.  Beyond its regulatory function, HPA is also instrumental in promoting and protecting patient rights through its oversight of the Patients Charter of Zimbabwe. This article unpacks HPA’s mandate and delves into the key tenets of the Patients Charter, empowering citizens to understand their rights within the healthcare system. HPA’s Mandate Health Facility Registration Health Professions Authority registers and regulates private and public health institutions to ensure set…

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South African Legislator Proposes Denying Foreigners Access to ARVs After PEPFAR Funding Halt

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa  Controversial South African Member of Parliament Gayton McKenzie has proposed an immediate halt to all medical assistance, including Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), in response to the gap left by the cessation of aid from the United States government. In the final week of February, PEPFAR-funded HIV organizations in South Africa, which receive funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), were notified that their PEPFAR grants had been permanently ended. PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was launched in 2003 to help combat AIDS…

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US Aid Cuts Jeopardize HIV and TB Programs in East and Southern Africa

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter  The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) and its regional partners have strongly condemned the recent cuts in United States (US) funding for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) programs, warning of catastrophic consequences for millions of vulnerable people across East and Southern Africa. In January 2025, the US government implemented a blanket freeze on foreign aid, halting funding for crucial HIV and TB prevention, treatment, and care programs. Despite a waiver issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the…

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Obstetric Violence: A sinister form of GBV against pregnant children

Healthtimes

By Chipo Tsitsi Mlambo On November 26, 2024, as I prepared to address the issue of obstetric violence against pregnant children, a significant case emerged. Sixteen-year-old Tariro* (not her real name) went into labor and arrived at the home of one of our Purple Door Advocates, who promptly escorted her to the local clinic. A few hours later, I received a call from our community advocate informing me that Tariro had been advised her baby was too large for a normal delivery and required a C-section at the hospital. To…

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Cimas MEDLABS introduces advanced genetic testing services

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter  THE country’s top provider of diagnostic and medical laboratory services, Cimas Medlabs has added the advanced genetic testing service on its procedures marking a significant milestone in the provision of cutting-edge healthcare solutions in Zimbabwe. As one of the leading medical laboratories in the country, Cimas Medlabs provides a wide range of pathology tests under its various departments. These include serology, haematology, biochemistry, microbiology and histology, immunohistochestry. Cimas Medlabs is thus able to offer wellness, screening, diagnostic and monitoring tests The services can be accessed by any…

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The real cost of the US funding freeze on healthcare workers and people living with HIV in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Rumbie Gumbie – Researcher The abrupt freeze in U.S. global health funding has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, forcing entire organizations to shut down, leaving many workers unemployed, and putting life-saving HIV treatment programs at risk. Following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, titled Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, most U.S. foreign assistance was paused for 90 days, throwing the health sector into turmoil. For years, USAID and PEPFAR have been the backbone of Zimbabwe’s HIV response, funding critical…

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The investment case for diabetes care for rural Zimbabwean women

Healthtimes

By Dr Nyasha Manyeruke The Zimbabwean healthcare system is currently battling a strategic funding gap towards the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes (World Health Organisation, 2020). Any increase in national budgetary allocation towards addressing this growing public health threat, must take into consideration the existent intersectional endemicity of communicable diseases, El-nino drought, current economic contraction and historic marginalisation of women (UN Women, 2022). In this article, I discuss the evidence supporting the call to increase investment towards a diabetes primary health intervention focused on reproductive age women…

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How video games benefit your health

Healthtimes

There is much information about how video games can affect people negatively. But people would be surprised to learn that video games have positive effects, too. One area that they positively affect is health. Studies on the positive health effects of video games have shown that they improve 69% of psychological therapy outcomes, 59% of physical therapy outcomes, and 50% of physical activity outcomes. And that’s just not the most significant portion of the positive impact that video games have on health. It’s worth noting that the studies mostly show…

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China-Aid Cataract Surgery Camp to Offer Free Eye Treatment in Harare

Healthtimes

Health Brief  Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in collaboration with Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital of China, is set to conduct a free cataract surgery camp under the “China-Aid Bright Journey 2” initiative. The program, aimed at restoring vision for Zimbabwean citizens in need, will take place at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Hospital in Harare from February 24 to March 1, 2025. Screening for eligible patients commenced on February 12, and those qualifying for the procedure will receive comprehensive care from experienced medical professionals. The initiative offers hope to adults struggling with cataract-related…

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