Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Vagina! There We Said It, Says PSI As They Launch VIYA, A Global Sexual Wellness Lifestyle Brand

Michael Gwarisa

IN  a move that is set to demystify and normalize women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, the Population Service International (PSI) has launched VIYA, a first global sexual wellness lifestyle product that puts the power of health choice into women’s and girls’ hands. By Michael Gwarisa The campaign is starting with #TheVword or the word Vagina, which is aimed at disrupting the narrative around women’s healthcare and supporting women to make and own their health choices throughout their lifecycle—from menstruation to menopause. Harnessing technology including artificial intelligence, e-commerce and…

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New HIV Super Variant: UNAIDS Calls For Increased HIV Treatment and Testing

Michael Gwarisa

THE Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has called for an urgent need to scale up HIV treatment and testing at a global level to ensure the newly discovered HIV sub-type does not spread to the level of crippling the global health system. By Michael Gwarisa A newly published research from the Netherlands revealed that the HIV variant is  a more transmissible and damaging variant and people living with the newly revealed HIV subtype experience double the rate of immune system decline (CD4 count) and have higher HIV viral…

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A Billion Influenza Cases Recorded Every Year

Michael Gwarisa

EVEN through the deadly Influenza or Spanish Flu ended more than 100 years ago, the modern day strain of Influenza continues to impact negatively on the global health with indications that a billion cases of seasonal influenza continue to be recorded every year. By Michael Gwarisa In his speech to mark the Celebration of 70 years since GISRS (the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System) was formed, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director, Dr Tedros  Adhanom Ghebreyesus   said influenza is a serious global health problem that impacts all countries: Every year,…

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Childhood Cancers Stalk Zimbabwe As 67 Children Die in 12 Months

Michael Gwarisa

EVEN though survival rate for childhood cancers in developing countries is hovering above 80%, chances of children surviving following a cancer diagnosis in Zimbabwe remain below 20% due to a myriad of factors ranging from late presentation of cases and failure to access quality care and treatment on time. By Michael Gwarisa Some of the childhood cancers affecting children the most in Zimbabwe include Leukemia, Neuroblastoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Retinoblastoma among others. Due to existing gaps to accessing care, survival chances for children remain depressed. Speaking at the World Cancer Day commemorations…

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Together We Can Close The Cancer Care Gap Says Dr Chiwenga

Michael Gwarisa

HARARE-Acting President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga has acknowledged the existing challenges in the country’s cancer care management systems and called on all stakeholders to unite in closing the existing gaps in cancer management. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is currently experiencing operational challenges with regards to cancer care amidst high costs of chemotherapy drugs and recurring breakdowns of Radiotherapy machines in the country’s major cancer care centers, Parirenyatwa Hospital and Mpilo Hospital. Speaking during the 2022 World Cancer Day commemoration in Harare, Dr Chiwenga said the health ministry was working on setting…

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Desperate Zim Cancer Patients Turn To Traditional Medicines and Herbal Therapists…As Gvt Radiotherapy Machines Breakdown

Michael Gwarisa

ACCESS to Radiotherapy treatment, a form of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors has of late become elusive, as many cancer patients are now being forced to seek treatment from traditional and herbal practitioners. By Michael Gwarisa Investigations by this publication indicate that at the moment, only one radiotherapy machine is working at oncocare in Newlands in Harare. The two radiotherapy machines at Mpilo have been down since 2021. Even though Parirenyatwa hospital has three radiotherapy machines, only one machine was…

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Time For Zimbabwe To Rope In Community Civil Society Organisations In AMR Fight

Michael Gwarisa
AMR

THE world is fast sleep walking towards another deadly pandemic that could wipe out an entire civilisation if something is not done urgently. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) or the silent pandemic as many epidemiologist have dubbed it, is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity, exposing both humans and animals to catastrophic consequences. By Michael Gwarisa Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms evolve mechanisms that protect them from the effects of antimicrobials or agents that kill microorganisms or stops their growth. Antibiotic resistance is a subset of AMR…

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New Y+ Global and Her Voice Fund Strategic Plans Launched

Michael Gwarisa

THE 2022/25 Y+ Global and Her Voice Fund strategic documents which will be used to inform Y+ Global’s  approach to all areas of work including building networks, advocacy programs, fundraising, administration and partnerships have been launched. By Michael Gwarisa The HER Voice fund initiative was created in recognition of the vital role adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have in driving and shaping the HIV response. The two new strategic documents were developed in close collaboration with a number of Y+ Global partners, stakeholders and the diverse communities of young…

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150 000 New HIV infections Recorded Among Children In 2020

Michael Gwarisa

THE Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) says most of the 150 000 new HIV infections recorded among children in 2020 could have been prevented if interventions targeting the most affected groups had been implemented. HealthTimes Reporter According to the UNAIDS weekly update, a strong start would be to better engage women and girls at significant risk of acquiring HIV infection in integrated antenatal care and HIV services, including HIV prevention and testing, delivered at the local level, and to ensure that those who are HIV-positive receive…

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WHO Calls For Equitable Health Services For All To End NTDs

Michael Gwarisa

TO mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) , the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on everyone, to rally to confront inequalities that characterize NTDs and  ensure that the poorest and marginalized communities who are mostly affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) receive the health services they need. HealthTimes Reporter In his message for World NTD day, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus   said, “the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust millions of people deeper into poverty and affected those who already have limited access to health services.” He urged the global…

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