Author: Michael Gwarisa

Editor for HealthTimes, Zimbabwe's leading online health news publication

Manicaland Child Marriage Survivors Find Solace In Economic Strengthening Programs

Michael Gwarisa

DUE to economic hardships and prolonged schools closure at the back of recurrent COVID-19 induced lockdowns, Marvelous Tsambe* (16) from Chikore Village in Chimanimani entered into an early child marriage at the age 14 as an escape from the challenges back home. However, to her surprise, marriage did not bring the much anticipated economic escape. By Michael Gwarisa in Manicaland  Just like most girls her age in her area, Marvelous fell for Majoni-Joni or those young men who illegally cross the border to work in South Africa. Whenever they return…

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Towards an AIDS Free Generation, Nyazura Celebrates PMTCT Milestone

Michael Gwarisa

“GETTING initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as well as registering for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program early has been the best decision I have ever made,” said Tracey Makoni* (27) from Nyazura, in Manicaland province during an interview with HealthTimes on a media tour that was organised by the Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT).  Tracey has five children and even though they were born after she had already tested positive for HIV, none amongst them has HIV, thanks to the PMTCT program being offered…

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FACT’s Education Program A Resounding Success in Mutare Says Zim Government

Michael Gwarisa

EVEN though the pass rate in Mutare marginally dropped during the COVID-19 period,  the district continues to enjoy a pass rate above 60%, while the number of adolescent girls, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) who remained in school  has increased at the back of education and parenting interventions being implemented by the Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT), a top government official has said. By Michael Gwarisa in Mutare Through the Children Tariro (CT) project, FACT has been implementing education and parenting programs in Mutare, Mutasa and Chipinge districts with the…

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Zim Records High HIV Deaths In Male Adolescents

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE continues to lose high numbers of adolescent boys aged 10 to 19 to the AIDS epidemic despite the country having made tremendous strides in controlling the AIDS epidemic. By Michael Gwarisa According to latest HIV estimates, AIDS related deaths in adolescent boys have been on an upward trend since 2016 unlike in female adolescents where AIDS induced deaths have been declining. Presenting on the country’s HIV estimates, National AIDS Council (NAC) National Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Mr Isaac Taramusi said adolescent girls constitute the biggest chunk of new HIV…

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Zimbabwe Procures 9 Mobile X-Ray Trucks For Door to Door TB Screening

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) National Tuberculosis (TB) programme will soon be unveiling a fleet of new Mobile X-Ray vehicles in a move that is set to increase TB case finding and also ensure that those are screened and tested will be linked to care. By Michael Gwarisa The mobile X-Ray vehicles will be distributed across nine provinces in Zimbabwe where they will be conducting targeted screening for active Tuberculosis (TB) among high risk groups, and the program will be spearheaded by the Ministry of health and…

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ZCLDN Urges Gvt To Scale Up TB Programs In People Who Use Drugs

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), has called on government and partners working in the area of Tuberculosis (TB) programing to scale access to screening and treatment of TB in people who use drugs. By HealthTimes Reporter In their World TB Day message, ZCLDN said people who use drugs are at an increased risk of contracting and developing severe TB symptoms due to their marginalization. “The world health board said the increase in the number of TB deaths occurred mainly in the 30 countries with the highest burden…

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Unpacking Dr Nhapi’s Ambitious Victoria Falls World Class Health Facility Vision

Michael Gwarisa

DURING President Emerson Mnangangwa’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he met various Zimbabwean business people and experts working in various fields who expressed eagerness and zeal to invest back home. Amongst those he interacted with was one, Dr Allan Nhapi, an Australian based Zimbabwean Doctor, who made a moving plea to the head of state to at least be allocated land to build a world class health facility in the country. By Michael Gwarisa To honor his wish, the government of Zimbabwe has since set aside a…

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All Hands On Deck To End TB Says Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Dr Constantino Chiwenga has implored government, civil society and the private sector to unite in the face of a century old disease, Tuberculosis (TB), which continues to cause the highest number of deaths globally every year. By Michael Gwarisa In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director, AIDS and TB Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Charles Sandy at the Walk for TB Campaign that was hosted by the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe in Harare, , he said…

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World Bank Hands Over Ambulances To Cyclone Idai Survivors

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Bank (WB) has handed over four fully-equipped ambulances to the Zimbabwe Association of Church Hospitals (ZACH) under the World Bank funded Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP). By Michael Gwarisa ZIRP is a unique partnership between the World Bank and United Nations Agencies (UN) to address the early and medium-term resilient disaster recovery needs of Cyclone Idai-affected communities across nine worst affected districts of Manicaland in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Marjorie Mpundu, the World Bank Country Manager (Zimbabwe) said the ambulances are equipped with lifesaving equipment which…

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