Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Medical Aid Package For Persons With Disabilities Launched In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

MREF, a new Medical Aid policy for People with Disabilities (PWDs) has been introduced in Zimbabwe in a move that set to bring convenience and increase access to health services for the community. By Michael Gwarisa MREF stands for Muduvuri Rehabilitation and Empowerment Foundation and was founded by disability activist and business person, Jimayi Muduvuri. Speaking to HealthTimes on the behalf of MREF spokesperson, Mr Nyasha Nhau,  said the medical aid policy had come at the right time as demand for access to health services for PWDs has also increased…

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Strive Masiyiwa Blows Top Over Vaccine Apartheid…As Africa Battles Third Wave Without Vaccines

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWEAN business mogul and African Union special envoy, Dr Strive Masiyiwa has taken a swipe at the COVAX facility’s for sidelining Africa and failing to deliver the 700 million vaccine doses to the continent as was initially agreed early this year. By Michael Gwarisa COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated as COVAX, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, according to Dr Masiyiwa, the facility has not been…

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Breaking: Schools Reopening Extended By Two Weeks

Michael Gwarisa

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa’ has announced that cabinet has agreed to postpone Schools Reopening in the midst of surging Covid cases. By Michael Gwarisa She briefed Journalists this evening during a post cabinet media briefing where she highlighted that schools opening will be delayed by a further two weeks. In view of the regional and local upsurge of cases, the nation is informed that Cabinet approved that the reopening of schools and other learning institutions be delayed by 14 days. Government will be monitoring the situation…

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Zimbabwe COVID-19 Situation About To Get Out Of Hand- Expert

Michael Gwarisa

LOCAL epidemiologist and public health expert, Dr Grant Murewanhema has warned that Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 situation could blow out of proportion in the coming days and urged citizens to religiously adhere to World Health Organization (WHO) set COVID-19 prevention measures. Staff Reporter His warning comes at the back of an increasing daily infection rate as well as fatality rate which has tripled over the past few days. We are going to a place where we don’t want to be but where I have been warning that we might end up going.…

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More Zim Men Experiencing Emotional Abuse At The Hands Of Their Wives

Michael Gwarisa

THERE has been an increase in the number of men coming forward to report Gender Based Violence (GBV) in particular emotional abuse at the hands of women. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mashonaland West Recent data from the 2021 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVac) Rural Livelihoods Report show the national incidence for spousal emotional abuse was 6.01% in males and 5.76% in females. Speaking to HealthTimes, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Makonde Development District Development Officer, Mrs Fungai Sadzi said they receive reports from men…

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UNESCO’s Rapid Training Programme On Open, Distance And Online Learning Reaches 1 400 Teachers

Michael Gwarisa

AS with many countries across the world, 2020 saw Zimbabwean schools abruptly closed as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. The closure of schools for almost a year seriously impacted school outcomes and reversed some important post-independence gains in areas such as literacy and numeracy, school infrastructure, and school attendance, among others.   Most public schools did not have the capacity to offer distance or online learning since, in addition to a lack of infrastructure and resources, teachers were neither equipped nor trained to offer this type of learning. While…

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Zimbabwe Should Rethink Vaccine Deployment Strategy

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE has been urged to re-look its national vaccination distribution strategy in order to increase uptake and move close towards vaccinating at least 60 percent of the population. By Michael Gwarisa The country commenced vaccinating its citizens in March 2021 following a delivery of the Sinopharm doses from the Republic of China. Even though at first, there was vaccine hesitancy more people are now coming forward willingly to get vaccinated. However, there been reports of shortages of vaccines dosses across the country of late. Immunologist and Medical Expert, Dr Tinashe…

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Drinking Beer From Inside Car During Covid Times Now Illegal

Michael Gwarisa

DRINKING alcohol inside your car is now a criminal offence, according to a statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), as the nation battles to arrest the rising COVID-19 cases. By HealthTimes Correspondent The statement released Monday dictates that aside from imbibing in vehicles, guzzling at bottle stores is prohibited. In this regard, all those found drinking beer at bottle stores, inside vehicles and surrounding areas will be arrested,” said ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi in the statement. This comes following last Saturday’s pronouncement by Vice President and Health…

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Zim ICPD Task-force Keeps Watchful Eye On Commitments Implementation

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe National Taskforce (NTF) for monitoring commitments the country made at the 25th International Conference on Population Development (ICPD), has hit the ground running in ensuring the pledges Zimbabwe made at the Nairobi summit in 2019 are fulfilled. By Michael Gwarisa The taskforce was set up in November 2020 and it comprises of government ministries and departments, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Academia, United Nations Agencies operating in Zimbabwe and other organizations and stakeholders. The Ministries of Finance and that of health and Child Care are co-chairs to the taskforce.…

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Tattooing Your Loved Ones’ Images Or Names On Your Bodies Could Cause Serious Mental Health Issues When The Relationship Ends In Tears- Psychologist

Michael Gwarisa

LOVE is a beautiful thing and should be celebrated in any way possible. People have different ways of showing and expressing love and affection. Of late, the practice of having a loved one’s name or face tattooed to one’s body has become trendy and the in thing. By Michael Gwarisa Maybe before delving into the gist of this article, it is critical to speak briefly on the background of tattoos and how they became a part of our lives. A tattoo is defined as an indelible or permanent mark fixed…

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