Author: Kuda Pembere

MILESTONE: Zim attains 95-95-95 HIV targets

Kuda Pembere

ZIMBABWE has reached the UNAIDS set 95-95-95 HIV targets, securing a place in the list of other Southern African countries such as Botswana that have attained the goal. By Kudakwashe Pembere The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS aims for HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression rates to be 95%–95%–95% by 2025. Addressing the press at a National AIDS Council (NAC) media workshop, Ministry of Health and Child Care National ART coordinator Dr Chiedza Mupanduki said according to their June 2022 figures on HIV show Zimbabwe realised the 95-95-95 target…

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High turnout at free cataract clinic at Parirenyatwa

Kuda Pembere

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH) has stopped taking in new patients for the free cataract screening and surgery due to an overwhelming turnout. Over 1 000 patients turned up for the free eye clinic showing the insurmountable demand for free services. “Reference is made to our public notice in which we informed the public that there would be a free Adult Cataract Screening and Surgery Camp from Sunday 30 October 2022 to Thursday 3 November 2022. “We would like to advise the public that the response has been overwhelming to…

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Zimbabwe’s per capita spending on health drops to US$20

Kuda Pembere

THE Zimbabwean Government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development allocated US$20 per citizen towards healthcare provision, which is US$25 lower than the US$45 it spent on an individual in 2021. By Kudakwashe Pembere This allocation or spending on a single person or single citizen is also known as per capita spending or per capita allocation. Presenting a paper last Thursday at a Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) workshop om National Stakeholder Engagement and Consesus on Revitalising Primary Health Care in Zimbabwe, Dr Prosper Chitambara noted Zimbabwe’s per…

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Village Health Workers complain of paltry allowances

Kuda Pembere

Community village health workers are appealing to be recognised in the National Budget given they are usually sidelined on payment issues much to their displeasure. By Kudakwashe Pembere Formerly known as village health workers, these frontline health workers complain they last got their paltry allowances which come with deductions in 2019. Their call comes at a time the Health and Child Care Ministry has not been receiving from the Treasury the 15 percent of the national budget as espoused in the Abuja declaration which Zimbabwe signed up to. “When we…

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SAA lauds Zim for approving Cabotegravir

Kuda Pembere

A Society of AIDS in Africa (SAA) board member on Wednesday commended Zimbabwe for setting the pace on the African continent and in the world in giving the green light the use of the long acting pre-exposure prophylaxis injectable Cabotegravir. By Kudakwashe Pembere SAA is the organiser for the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The commendation comes hot on the heels of Zimbabwe’s medicines regulator, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ)’s nod to the utilisation of the Pr-EP. Giving her remarks at the ICASA stakeholders’…

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SAA Delegation Back In The Country For Official Signing Of ICASA 2023 MOU

Kuda Pembere

A delegation comprising of executives from the Society of AIDS in Africa (SAA) has arrived in Zimbabwe to ratify Zimbabwe’s winning of the bid to host for the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) to be held next year. By Kudakwashe Pembere Speaking to HealthTimes on arrival at the Robert Mugabe International Airport (RGM), ICASA director Luc Armand Bodea who is the head of delegation said Zimbabwe was ready to host the event. We are back here to unfold ICASA planning and we want to assure the…

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Zim medicines regulator intensifies surveillance of ‘child killer’ cold and cough syrups

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe’s medicines and medical devices regulator the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) says it is stepping up its surveillance of four medical products which killed 69 children in Gambia. By Kudakwashe Pembere While chances are slim that the cough and cold syrups might have found their way into the country, the Authority states they may have unprocedurally found their way in Zimbabwe. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata notified health professionals in the public of the existence of the lethal medical products. “The Medicines Control…

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Shortage of mental health medication in public hospitals

Kuda Pembere

Persons with lived mental health experiences have bemoaned the shortage of their medication in public health institutions which is forcing them to cough up more money at private community pharmacies. By Kudakwashe Pembere Mrs Angela Mkorongo, a person with lived experiences who is also a mental health advocate said this on the sidelines of the World Mental Health Day Commemorations held on Monday. She said she ended up footing the bill for her friend who couldn’t access the medication at public mental health institutions. “Some of our colleagues are failing…

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Zim Govt recalls Purity Essential Baby Powder

Kuda Pembere

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has ordered the removal of Purity Essential Baby Powder from shops following a discovery that the product had a cancer-causing substance. By Kudakwashe Pembere This product is being recalled by its manufacturer Tiger Brands in South Africa after finding it contained impermissible levels of asbestos. “Tiger Brands of South Africa is recalling the Purity Essential Baby Powder from shops. The products contain unacceptable levels of asbestos which causes rare cancer called mesothelioma. The traces were recently detected in test samples prompting the recall…

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Zim commemorates World Mental Health Day

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe on Monday commemorated the World Mental Health Day which was held under the theme “Making Mental Health a Global Priority”. By Kudakwashe Pembere This year’s celebrations saw presentations from experts, and what are now known as Persons with Lived Experiences formerly, Mental Health Users. Presentations were about Bipolar Disorder, Obbessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, trauma, and substance abuse, a menace in the nation. Officiating the commemorations, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said it was important to recognise the high demand of mental health services across the…

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