Author: Healthtimes

Zim Public Not Ready For Another Long Lockdown

Healthtimes

MAJORITY of people who spoke to HealthTimes have indicated that going into another lockdown would worsen an already fragile socio-economic situation in the country. By Tanaka Moyo Their fears come at the back of government’s recent move to institute a localised lockdown in Kwekwe following the detection of a highly virulent and infectious Indian variant B.1.617.2 in the mining town. Junior George Jonasi an actor popularly known as ‘Tumbwiti’ in a local drama called Tunga, also a film producer and a script writer expressed great concern that the Indian variant…

Read More

COVID-19 and coronavirus in people living with HIV

Healthtimes

Key points People with HIV appear to have a slightly increased risk of dying from COVID-19. People with HIV who have underlying health conditions such as obesity, poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure appear to be at higher risk. In general, the most important risk factors for death from COVID-19 are old age, an organ transplant and a recent diagnosis of a cancer of the blood. Vaccines against COVID-19 are highly effective in preventing serious illness. They are not thought to be less effective in people with HIV, but…

Read More

Ensuring a better future for future generations: A journey towards curbing the HIV epidemic

Healthtimes

IT is past midday and Portia* (22) arrives at a local Clinic in Filabusi, Matabeleland South, after a seven-kilometre walk from her homestead. Winter is fast approaching, and it is windy, she bends down to wipe the dust off her feet using a cloth and fixes her mask as she walks briskly towards the gate. From a distance, she sees the clinic is not as busy as she had anticipated. By Tariro Mhute and Osiah Chinemo She quickly washes her hands with the soapy water at the entrance and cheerfully…

Read More

#TalkingCOVIDWithDrGrant: Different Variants, Similar Control Strategies

Healthtimes
Dr Grant Murewanhema

THE Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative virus for the disease better known as COVID-19. It belongs broadly to a class of viruses known as coronaviruses, and people are more familiar with the previous SARS and MARS outbreaks. None of these ever got to the scale of the current COVID-19 pandemic. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, which spread rapidly, also multiply very rapidly in a process called replication, where copies of similar virions continue to be made. Now, as you will be familiar…

Read More

Vice President launches Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine to benefit over 6million children

Healthtimes

THE Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care has launched a Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine into routine childhood immunisation in Zimbabwe, as part of a broader strategy to eliminate epidemic prone diseases. By Patricia Mashiri The vaccination campaign which is set to start on 24 May up to 4 June 2021 will provide catch up Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine vaccination for over 6 million children aged 9 months to below 15 years in line with recommendations from global and local immunisation experts. Thereafter all children in Zimbabwe will begin to…

Read More

VP Chiwenga Announces Lockdown For Kwekwe

Healthtimes

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Vice President Chiwenga has announced a two week long lockdown for Kwekwe in a move to curb the spread of a more deadly COVID-19 variant that is dominant in India. HealthTimes Reporter Following localized cases of Covid 19 that occurred in Kwekwe during the period 09/05/2021 to 21/05/2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care would like to advise the nation that; 1. The Genomic sequencing done on the viral strain in Kwekwe, detected the presence of B.1.617.2 strain. This is a sub-species of the…

Read More

City Fathers Cheat Nurses On 2016 Salary Arrears

Healthtimes

HARARE City Council nurses had the shock of their lives when their arrears dating as far as 2016 were settled using a debased USD1:ZWL$1 rate. By Kudakwashe Pembere When Government separated the RTGS and USD nostro accounts in 2018, this gave birth to an Auction Forex Rate to control inflation and bring order in the market. These health workers had arrears worth between US$3 000 and US$13 000. To settle the close-to five year debt, these workers were promised residential stands. Some accepted the arrangement and others refused wanting to…

Read More

ZNNP+ Holds Candlelight Ceremony To Honor Departed HIV/AIDS Heroes

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) in partnership with The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) hosted a Candlelight ceremony in remembrance and in honour of those who passed away due to also to keep hopes alive for those who continue with the fight to end HIV, through education, advocacy and partnership. By Patricia Mashiri Similar ceremonies have been held since 1983. This year’s ceremony was held on 16 May virtually in accordance with World Health Organization COVID-19 regulations under the theme “Honouring those…

Read More

Obstetric Fistula: New Amnesty International Report Reveals How Barriers To Accessing Public Health Facilities Expose Zim Women And Girls To Life-changing Childbirth Related Injuries

Healthtimes

PREGNANT  women and girls in Zimbabwe are at risk of  life changing childbirth-related injuries, including obstetric fistula, as many shun public healthcare facilities in favour of home-based deliveries due to inadequate health infrastructure, cultural practices  and high hospital costs, Amnesty International said today in a new report. HealthTimes Reporter The report, “I never thought I could get healed from this“, lays bare the physical and psychological trauma that women and girls who experience obstetric fistula in Zimbabwe go through. The condition, described as the “most devastating birth injury” by the…

Read More

COVID-19 Causes Rise In Mental Health llnesses

Healthtimes

MENTAL health cases have been on the increase due the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which has stalked the world for more than a year, mental health experts have said. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a Mental Health and Awareness webinar, Dr Sacrifice Chirisa, a Psychologist and CIMAS General Manager Health Care Services said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Zimbabwe’s lack of preparedness  to deal with mental health issues. The coming in of the pandemic exposed us that we are not ready to deal with mental health issues. The pandemic is…

Read More