Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Zimbabwe Rolls Out “SAYANA PRESS,” A New Long-term Contraceptive Method

Michael Gwarisa

A modern and long lasting but reversible contraceptive method called Sayana Press, is currently being rolled out across Zimbabwe in a move that is set to expand birth control options for women. By Michael Gwarisa The contraceptive product was piloted in 2020 while the rollout commenced in April 2021 covering, Mashonaland East, Matebeleland North, Bulawayo and Matebeleland South. In other parts of the country, the Sayana is only being administered at Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Population Services International (PSI) and Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) clinics. Speaking to HealthTimes,…

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Nedbank Sponsors 15th Edition Of Medical, Dental and Maternity Outreach

Michael Gwarisa

THE Doctors and Nurses on a Mission has announced that Nedbank has come through as the sponsor for their Medical, Dental and Maternity health outreach program to be held in Domboshava on May, 29, 2021. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Edmore Munyoro said the bank’s sponsorship had come at the right time and will facilitate ease of  health service delivery on the day. So Nedbank Zimbabwe has answered our plea seeking sponsorship for our upcoming medical, dental and maternity outreach scheduled for Saturday 29 May 2021…

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Government Defends Kwekwe Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) says the decision to put Kwekwe under lockdown was informed by epidemiological evidence and will go a long way in reducing the spread of the highly infectious and  virulent B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant to other parts of the country. By Michael Gwarisa The new variant is highly dominant in India where it has caused not less than 298,000 deaths and  26, 506, 167 infections since it was first reported in the Asian country.  In Zimbabwe however, the new variant was reported a week…

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Zim Could Attain Herd Immunity In Five Years At Prevailing Immunization Rate- Experts

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Tinashe Gede

AT the current daily vaccination rate of 20,000 people, it could take Zimbabwe four to five years to vaccinate 60 percent of the population that is required to achieve herd immunity, Zimbabwe health experts have said. By Michael Gwarisa Local Immunologist and Public Health expert, Dr Tinashe Gede said Zimbabwe was too early in the vaccination race and at the prevailing daily vaccination rate, it was impossible to vaccinate 60 percent of the population by end of December 2021. As we speak in Zimbabwe, I think our cumulative COVID-19 vaccination…

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United States Gvt Becomes Worlds Largest Sharer Of Vaccines

Michael Gwarisa

THE United States Government (USG) has announced that it will be sharing 20 million more vaccine dosses from its own stocks, in addition to the 60 million AstraZeneca doses that were announced previously by President Joe Biden. By Michael Gwarisa This brings the total number of vaccines added by the government to the vaccine mix to 80 million, making them the largest sharer of vaccines in the world. Speaking during a Telephonic Press Briefing, USG State Department Coordinator for the Global COVID Response and Health Security, Gayle Smith said they…

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One Bucket Of Maize Equals To One Round Of Sex: COVID-19 Induced Desperation Stalks Rural Sex Workers in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE once thriving profession of sex work has hit rock bottom across the country following a prolonged lockdown period which has seen most public places and beer selling joints being closed for more than a year. By Michael Gwarisa Unlike in the previous period before COVID-19 when sex workers had bargaining power and demand for their services exceeded supply, the COVID-19 induced lockdown has literally made most men realize that family comes first and hiring an escort or sex worker is not a necessity. In the midst of the ongoing…

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Macheke Married Woman Turns To Sex Work To Raise University Tuition

Michael Gwarisa

ELIZABETH (not real name) (33) could not enroll in University or College at a young age owing to a myriad of factors  chief among them being economic factors and lack of funds to support her through tertiary education. When the Women’s University In Africa (WUA) opened up applications for block release studies, she applied and enrolled for a Bachelor of Social Work, Honors Degree. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Macheke Elizabeth is married, but her husband has since migrated into the diaspora where he is doing some menial jobs and…

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Taking Child Marriages And SGBV Fight Right To The Doorstep Of Marginalized Tribes In Mbire

Michael Gwarisa
Women in Mazambara, Mbire benefit from the SASA model

MBIRE district in Mashonaland Central is home to vast wildlife including the famous Big Five even though one of the animals, the Black Rhino has since vanished from the picture. Despite the rugged terrain and a poor road network ahead, the meandering and curvaceous road leading to Mbire through the Mavhuradonha mountain range makes one green with envy. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mbire However, beyond this beauty lies a monster, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), which has led to a spike in the incidence and prevalence of early…

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DREAMS Program Reignites Hope In Rushinga Girls

Michael Gwarisa

AT the age of 11, Patience Chikozomba from Mukwatsa village and a primary school pupil at Magaranhewe Primary school in Rushinga  was already thinking of dropping out of school since her parents couldn’t  afford school fees for her and her siblings. Other girls her age or slightly older have already eloped or been married off due to the biting poverty obtaining in the area despite it being a resource rich community. By Michael Gwarisa in Rushinga According to the National Aids Council (NAC), even though there are starting to witness…

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Bridging The ART Access Gap During A Pandemic, CATS Hold The Fort In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

WHEN the COVID-19 was reported in Zimbabwe in 2020, government announced a national lockdown with the view of curbing the spread of the virus and limiting community transmissions. In the process other essential health services were also locked down, leaving People Living with HIV (PLHIV) especially young people living with HIV and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at a disadvantage. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mashonaland East With tight restrictions, fears of young people on ART falling by the wayside were rife as in most cases, young people would shun visiting…

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