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Rash of child deaths in Gambia linked to cough syrups made in India – WHO

October 7, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Oct 5 (Reuters) – The deaths of dozens of young children in Gambia from acute kidney injuries may be linked to contaminated cough and cold syrups made by an Indian drug manufacturer, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. The findings, announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, followed tests on several medicinal syrups that were suspected of causing 66 child deaths in the tiny West African country. Tedros told reporters that the U.N. agency was conducting an investigation with Indian regulators and the company that made the syrups, New…

MCAZ eyes WHO microbiology prequalification…As it celebrates 25th anniversary

October 4, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe is working towards attaining the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for the microbiology laboratory. This follows the refurbishment of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) microbiology lab recently. By Kuda Pembere WHO states medicines prequalification primarily benefits populations requiring treatment for priority diseases, and women and girls in need of medicines to ensure their reproductive health. This journey towards this prequalification comes at a time MCAZ celebrates its 25th anniversary. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata said they recently renovated their laboratory in line…

Pro safe-abortion advocates engage the clergy

October 3, 2022 Kuda Pembere

It is about time religious leaders change their mindset towards safe abortion given their great influence in communities which could help save many lives lost to dangerous and unsafe abortion practises. By Kuda Pembere This was said during the International Safe Abortion Day commemorations held on Friday. Organisations in the consortium which commemorated the International Day of Safe Abortion included SheDecides, Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), SafAIDS with support from Swedish Embassy. The International Safe Abortion Day is marked every 28 September. It emerged from documentaries from PSZ and Katswe Sistahood…

UNAIDS Zimbabwe trains Faith Based Organisations on Male Engagement Toolkit

October 1, 2022October 1, 2022 Kuda Pembere

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on Thursday began the training of trainers within Zimbabwe’s religious space on a toolkit for male engagement in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV), HIV/AIDS and Comprehensive Sexuality Education. By HealthTimes Reporter Since 2019, UNAIDS has been engaging faith based organisations within Zimbabwe with much of the thrust being the involvement of African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity leaders in the combat against GBV, CSE, and HIV. In her remarks during the two day workshop which ended on Friday, UNAIDS Zimbabwe…

‘Heeding suicidal indications can prevent suicides’

October 1, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Contrary to popular belief that suicidal people do not share their problems with others, they at times do give indications beforehand which should be taken seriously and acted upon to prevent needless loss of life, university students have said. By HealthTimes Reporter Students from various universities in Zimbabwe gave reasons on why people die by suicide with others giving their personal accounts about suicide attempts. Speaking on ZiFM Campus Parade Show’s vox pop, students gave a plethora of causes they think nudge people into committing suicide. A female student cited…

Health Ministry laments Treasury’s sluggish disbursements

September 29, 2022October 1, 2022 Kuda Pembere

An official in the Health and Child Care Ministry says late disbursements of the 2022 National Budget allocations are impeding their operations. By Kudakwashe Pembere The Health Ministry’s Acting Finance Director Ms Lynette Tennis revealed this to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health during a workshop for legislators monitoring special drawing rights (SDR) projects on Tuesday. She stated at the workshop facilitated by the Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust that they are getting meager funds from their share of the 2022 National Budget. “The releases have been too little to…

Zim Treasury lied about buying new ambulances-AG

September 23, 2022September 23, 2022 Kuda Pembere

Lies have short legs. Amidst repeated assurances that Treasury purchased 100 ambulances to be distributed across all the districts in Zimbabwe, it turns out none were bought. By Kudakwashe Pembere Contrary to repeated assurances to revamp public health from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development led by Professor Mthuli Ncube, Treasury according to the latest Auditor General report did not buy any ambulances between the period 2019 and 2020. No ambulances were procured in 2019 and 2020. Audit is still to visit provinces and districts to assess progress made,”…

Substance abuse among youths to triple Zim’s burden of dementia

September 22, 2022September 23, 2022 Kuda Pembere

ZIMBABWE has around 27 000 elderly persons living with dementia and the number is expected to triple on the back of heightened substance and drug abuse amongst youths. By Kudakwashe Pembere Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of dementia as Zimbabwe Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Association (ZARDA) support consultant Ms Shupikai Manyaraji states it accounts for more than 60 percent of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. With Zimbabwe battling the scourge of…

Herbal product, STC 30 Illegal In Zimbabwe: MCAZ

September 16, 2022September 18, 2022 Kuda Pembere

MEDICINES and medical devices regulator, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) says Superlife Total Care (STC30), a trending herbal medicine on social media, is illegal for it has not been registered with the Authority. By Kudakwashe Pembere On social media, STC30 is touted to cure almost every other disease and condition, something which is spurious and suspicious. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata said as a Regulator mandated to safeguard the safety of public and animal health, STC 30 does not have regulatory approval to…