Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Private Health Sector Should Not Profiteer From Vaccines-CWGH

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike says the ongoing private sector vaccination drive should not compromise availability of vaccine stocks in the public sector where majority of citizens are getting vaccinated. By Michael Gwarisa His plea follows reports that some public health institutions as well as local authority facilities were having challenges and struggling to administer the first dose while private players administering vaccines were fully stocked with both first and second doses. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mr Rusike said even though Zimbabwe should be…

Read More

HPA Warns Errant Herbal Medicines Merchants

Michael Gwarisa

THE Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) has told companies and individuals dealing in herbal medicines to comply with the law or face closure. By Michael Gwarisa This comes at the back of uncontrolled mushrooming of herbal dealers who are diagnosing patients, prescribing and dispensing herbal treatments at very high prices as well as offering body scans through methods that have not been approved by the country’s regulatory authorities such as the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), the Natural Therapists Association (NTA), the Radiation Protection Authority (RAPAZ) as well…

Read More

ZiCHIRe’s “SHIFTING YOUR MINDSET” Campaign Exposes Linkages Between Drug Abuse And GBV

Michael Gwarisa

THERE has been an increase in Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in areas where substance abuse is rampant especially during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the Zimbabwe Community Health Initiative Research (ZiCHIRe) has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual meeting to mark the 2019 World Population Day, ZiCHIRe Programmes Manager, Mr Walter Chikanya said they had launched a campaign dubbed “Shifting Your Mindset” as a means of raising awareness around drug abuse and mental health in communities such as Mbare, Hopley and Mabvuku. As an organization, what we have…

Read More

United Nations Condemns Death of Memory Machaya, 14-year-old Adolescent Girl Who Died During Childbirth

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations in Zimbabwe notes with deep concern and condemns strongly the surrounding circumstances leading to the untimely death of 14-year-old Memory Machaya from Marange, who died while giving birth at an apostolic sect shrine. HealthTimes Reporter Sadly, disturbing reports of the sexual violation of under-aged girls, including early forced child marriages continue to surface and indeed this is another sad case. A situation where one out of three girls in Zimbabwe will be married before the age of 18 years is also not acceptable. The current trend of…

Read More

SAYWHAT Raises Alarm Over Spike In GBV Cases In Semester Marriages

Michael Gwarisa

THE Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) has raised concern over the prevalence of semester marriages which the organisation says are behind the rise in Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges amongst students. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised World Population Day commemorations, SAYWHAT project coordinator Esinathy Sibanda said COVID-19 induced lockdown had also resulted in surge in GBV cases for semester marriages settings. Semester marriages are one of the things that students in tertiary…

Read More

No Evidence Of Drug Interaction Between ARVs And COVID-19 Vaccines- MoHCC

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has says there is no possibility of drug interaction if a Person Living with HIV (PLHIV) takes the COVID-19 vaccine, hence persons with HIV and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) should not hesitate to get the jab. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual Media Briefing on HIV and COVID-19 vaccines that was organized by the Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals (ZACH), Mr Paul Chinakidzwa the Health Promotions Manager in the Ministry of Health said the COVID-19 vaccines for which WHO has…

Read More

Vaccines Not Responsible For Coronavirus Mutations and Waves Says WHO Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Zimbabwe COVID-19 Team Leader, Dr Lincoln Charimari has poured water on a common myth that COVID-19 waves and variants could be emanating from vaccines. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual media training on Fact Checking that was hosted by the Gender Media Connect (GMC) in collaboration with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Dr Charimari said a lot of misinformation has been going on especially on social media regarding vaccines and coronavirus strains and waves. You must note that COVID-19 Waves and vaccines…

Read More

Number Of TB Patients Missing Treatment Still High In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Deputy Director, Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV services, Dr Charles Sandy says even though Zimbabwe was recently removed from the TB high burden list, it was too early to “Let Our Guard Down” as most TB patients were still missing treatment. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual sensitization meeting for the new Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe grant, Dr Sandy said the treatment coverage for TB was still in the doldrums and the COVID-19 had worsened the situation. Previously, we used to be…

Read More

#BREAKING: Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Approved In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), has approved the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Zimbabwe in the management and prevention of COVID-19 infections. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, MCAZ Projects and Public Relations Officer, Mr Shingai Gwatidzo confirmed the development. MCAZ reviewed the technical documentation and clinical studies conducted and issued Emergency Use Authorisation for Ministry of Health and Child Care to consider adding to the vaccines for use in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Gwatidzo.  He added that the EUA is subject to a number…

Read More

Government Maintains Level 4 Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa says government the level 4 lockdown measure were still in force even though new COVID-19 infections were on the decline. Staff Reporter Briefing Journalists during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing, minister Mutsvagwa said,”Cabinet was informed that the number of infections decreased slightly, with a total of 14 275 cases being recorded during the week under review, compared to the 21 346 cases recorded the previous week. “This reflected a 49.5% decrease, as the country’s efforts to contain the pandemic showed a…

Read More