Author: Kuda Pembere

US announces additional US$39 million food assistance for Zim

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With Zimbabwe reeling from the effects of the El-Nino induced drought amidst a looming lean season, the United States Government has announced a US$39 million additional support to the country. The US$39 million is part of a US$62 million assistance package extended to Zimbabwe by the US Government. This was said by the new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont at a press conference in Harare on Thursday. “But El Nino and its drought effects have made this a harder year to farm than usual. That is…

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US Government to hold talks with Zim for sustainable condom programming funding

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The United States Government will hold talks with the Zimbabwean Government pending the withdrawal of condom programming support via the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2026. Public sector condoms in Zimbabwe are mainly funded via PEPFAR which occupies the majority of the market share at 77 percent followed by social marketing condoms with 22 percent and the private sector having 1 percent. While condom programming remaining a core component of the five UNAIDS preventive pillars, the new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont at…

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Treasury raises US$8million from sugar tax

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance says it has raised US$8 million from the sugar tax regime that was introduced in 2024 National Budget presented as the country intensifies efforts to fund healthcare through home-grown initiatives. The money raised is set to be channeled towards cancer treatment. This was revealed by the Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora during the Health Development Partners Coordination Forum Meeting on Friday. There is an issue of sugar tax which I should mention now because yesterday (Thursday) I had also challenged…

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Zim elected into the World Health Assembly Executive board

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Zimbabwe has been elected into the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) Executive Board, under a three year term running from 2024 up to 2026. This was revealed by the Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora addressing the second Health development partners coordination forum meeting. I’m excited to inform you that Zimbabwe was elected into the Executive Board of the World Health Assembly. I encourage you to engage us on any issues you feel should be discussed in the Executive Board,” said Dr Mombeshora.  He added that…

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Harare City Introduces Health Insurance

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere A community health insurance scheme covering several health services for Harare City’s citizens should be operational before the month ends, HealthTimes has learned. In an interview with the Harare Municipality Health Services Manager Mr Richard Chigerwe, he said the scheme was different from the Harare Municipality Medical Aid which covers their employees. He said residents will have to pay a monthly subscription of US$2 to access various healthcare services under the scheme named “Utano Wedu”. Harare Municipal Medical aid is a closed medical aid for City Council…

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Health Ministry in US$9m Health Resilience Fund boost

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care Ministry received medicines and equipment for use in maternal and neonatal care as well as cholera care from the Health Resilience Fund worth over US$9 million. Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) warehouse, Deputy Health and Child Care Minister Honorable Sleiman Kwidini commended the funding and implementing partners of the HRF for procuring these medical essentials noting they will take the country to greater heights in its quest to provide quality healthcare. “You know how difficult…

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WDN takes a 365 day stand against GBV

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Women Democracy Network (WDN) following 10 days of activism against gender based violence has extended this to 365 days taking the campaign online and via media. The organization also champions the rights of women not only in GBV but in gender-responsive policy making. The campaign, titled “365 Days of Action for Gender Equality,” aims to raise awareness and stimulus conversations about the harmful effects of gender-based social norms and promote policy changes that address gender inequalities. “The campaign, which ran from 17 June to 26 June…

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TM PicknPay donates 3000 blankets to Zim hospitals

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere One of Zimbabwe’s biggest shopping retailers TM PicknPay donated 3000 blankets to 12 public hospitals in the country on Wednesday. The blankets come at the nick of time when the country is experiencing a cold spell which has left many hospitalized. Ministry of Health and Child Care Public Health Chief Director Dr Maxwell Hove in a speech read on his behalf by Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Hopewell Mungani said the donation is a show of commitment to complement government’s efforts of improving…

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Zim population to grow by 6 million in 2042: Zimstat

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With population growth dependent on future fertility rates, mortality rates, and migration, basing on the 2022 Zimbabwe Population Census, the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (ZimStat) projects the fertility rate amongst women will drop to 3.2 children per woman in 2042 compared to the 3.7 they found in 2022. This, ZimStat says is attributable to the increasing contraceptive use as well as the girl school attendance policy introduced to allow pregnant teenagers to continue school. The benchmark data for the projections is the 2022 Population and Housing Census. Based…

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AHF Zimbabwe commemorates Day of African Child

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Zimbabwe belatedly commemorated the Day of the African Child at the Village of Hope in Harare educating pupils from various schools in Mabelreign district on the dangers of early sexual encounters and early child marriages. At a time when the country is battling with early child marriages and teenage pregnancies through comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), AHF Zimbabwe Prevention Manager Mr Clever Taderera said the event was themed, “fostering health and education through CSE.” “Today, we have been commemorating a day of the…

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