Author: Kuda Pembere

Africa must rope in private sector in funding HIV Programs

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere WITH the discourse on funding for HIV programs being dominated by the Government and donor partners, a leading Malawian researcher says involving players is critical through innovative means such as taxes and levies. While countries such as Zimbabwe came up with the innovative AIDS levy, it has been an envy of many African countries. Professor Ann Maureen Phoya while addressing the media at an ICASA press conference Wednesday said the private sector should be roped in the HIV response financing. “We also need to raise money through…

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Alcohol abuse and under nutrition increasing TB mortality and morbidity in Africa

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere AFRICA must also address the issue of undernourishment to prevent mortality in TB patients, a tuberculosis World Health Organization Africa regional office official  has said. Head of the Green Light Committee for TB at WHO Afro Dr Jean-Louis Abena told delegates during a session at the ICASA conference that the issue of undernutrition and alcohol use disorder are proving to be a thorn in the flesh for the continent. “But this year, undernutrition becomes one of the most contributing factor that make people become ill in TB. And…

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Zim commences Multidrug resistance TB survey to improve case detection

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe recently began a survey to sasses the burden of Multiple-drug resistance TB in the country amidst the background of low case detection, a Ministry of Health and Child Care Official said. Addressing delegates at an ICASA side event on TB, Zimbabwe’s Health ministry TB/HIV officer Mr Manners Ncube said one of the measures they are implementing to improve case detection, particularly in MDR TB is a survey. And then MDR TB case detections, 35 percent. But when you reference now to the TB in general of…

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African governments urged to provide sustainable funding for GBV fight

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With donor fatigue looming, African governments should provide enough allocations towards tackling gender-based violence in their countries, a Kenyan sexual reproductive health rights advocate said. This was said by Ms Judie Amina during a HIVOS ICASA side event titled Redefining the Feminist Agenda: Co-creating Solutions to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) in East and Southern Africa. Ms Amina said African governments should adequately fund programs to fight GBV issues in a manner that makes them sustainable. “At the same time there is quiet reliance of…

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Urban residents at high risk of contracting HIV: UN

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere URBAN folk are more susceptible to new HIV infections compared to those in the rural areas due to their high disposable income and greater mobility, a top United Nations Zimbabwe official said. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator His Excellency Edward Kallon said this during the World AIDS Day commemorations in Victoria Falls on Friday. “Contrary to common belief, the greatest risk (of new HIV infection) lies with urban, educated adults in their productive and reproductive years who typically have greater mobility and disposable income. “Reducing risky behavior…

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Health Ministry gets 9 percent of Zim’s 2024 Budget

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Out of a Z$58.2 trillion budget for the year 2024, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube on Thursday alloted to the Health and Child Care Ministry Z$6.3 trillion. Representing a meagre 9.2 percent, this is about 6 percent shy of the Abuja declaration agreed 15 percent which Zimbabwe ratified. Last year the Health Ministry got 11 percent which the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) decried as an uninspiring allotment. Announcing the 2024 Budget, Finance Minister Prof Ncube said Treasury only had Z$58.2 trillion in its purse against…

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Using alternatives to antimicrobials working for Murehwa poultry farmers

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere in Murehwa BEFORE her damascene moment in poultry care, Christine Muunganirwa, a 50 year old woman in Kambarami Village in Ward Murehwa district suffered significant losses. Whenever the chicks fell ill, whether it was a cough, or oddly coloured stool, she rushed to administer some Amoxicillin tablets. Amoxicillin is the most abused antibiotic not only in human health but also poultry. To rationalize the use of antimicrobials in chickens, some nifty poultry farmers in Murehwa district have resorted to using traditional herbal medicines in lieu of antibiotics.…

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‘January disease’ vaccine revives Goromonzi cattle farmers’ hopes

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere recently in Goromonzi IT is 11 pm in the scotching sun as cattle jump into Mwanza Diptank in Mwanza Village,Goromonzi district, their usual place for dipping to fight against tickbone disease. Diptanks also known as plunge dips also provide the most effective and efficient method for controlling ticks in animals against ticks, flies, mites, lice and other external parasites. An hour earlier, delegates from United Nations quadripartite agencies of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and…

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