Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Take Prescribed TB Drugs Until End Of Course To Avoid Drug Resistance Retail Pharmacists Warn

Michael Gwarisa

 ZIMBABWE’S Retail Pharmacists Association (RPA) have raised concern over the growing cases of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR TB) amidst indications that not less that 465 000 people fell ill with multiple-drug resistant TB in 2019. By Staff Reporter In a statement, Jocelyn Chaibva, the Chairperson, Retail Pharmacists Association said there was need to reach out to everyone and ensure no one is left behind. As community pharmacists, we are fully aware and appreciate that: The clock is ticking, hence our joining hands with the rest of the healthcare team on…

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The Clock Is Ticking, Time To End TB Is Now Says VP Chiwenga

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called for collaboration in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) in the midst of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic which has largely disrupted TB programming and treatment efforts. By Michael Gwarisa According to preliminary data from the World Health Organization (WHO), a total 1.4 Million people  from over 80 countries faced challenges in accessing TB treatment in 2020, which is a reduction of 21% from 2019 and countries with the biggest relative gaps were Indonesia (42%), South Africa (41%), Philippines (37%) and…

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WHO Zimbabwe Expert Clarifies On Sinopharm Vaccine, Says Sinopharm And More Other Vaccines Awaiting WHO Emergency Use Approval

Michael Gwarisa

There is nothing unusual about Sinopharm being administered before getting the WHO SAGE approval Only Four Vaccines have received the WHO EUL approval SAGE likely to make recommendations to Sinopharm end of March or beginning of April THE Sinopharm, Sinovac, Suptnik and at least 30 more other vaccines have submitted their dossiers to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) for them to be listed for emergency use amidst indications that to date, only four vaccines namely the Pfizer Biotech, Astrazeneca, Mordena and Johnson & Johnson…

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When Period Poverty Meets Water Crises: Harare Women and Girls Develop Vaginal Infections As They Go For Hours Wearing Damp Unwashed Reusable Sanitary Pads And Rags

Michael Gwarisa

SHARON Bumhira (26) from Hopley, Zone 3 is unemployed and every month, whenever her period visits, she finds it difficult to manage her menstrual hygiene as she can’t afford to buy sanitary pads. Like many girls in the area, Sharon uses rags and at times a reusable sanitary pad. By Michael Gwarisa For most girls and young women in Hopely, buying sanitary pads is a luxury they can’t even afford and a bucket of water is more important than buying a sanitary pad. The water situation in Hopely has made…

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#OPNION: Government Moves To Regulate Medical Aid Societies: This Doesn’t Sound Like A Very Brilliant Idea

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT recently announced that cabinet had deliberated and considered the submissions made on the Regulation of Medical Aid Space Societies as proposed in the Insurance and Pensions Commission Bill, which were presented by Vice President as Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Constantino Chiwenga. By Michael Gwarisa According to information minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, they had realised that since medical aid societies were not for profit enterprises and represent members’ efforts to pool funds to assist in covering health bills and expenses, it was best international practice for such…

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Restaurants Now Allowed To Open For Sit-in Customers

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwean cabinet has resolved that restaurants should now serve sit in customers  as the country eases its lockdown restrictions against COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa In the previous announcement that was made by President Emerson Mnangagwa, restaurants had been allowed to operate but only attending to walk-in customers. However, the new relaxation gives restaurants the green light to operate as well as for the resumption of sporting activities but under strict COVID-19 prevention regulations. Briefing Cabinet, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said restaurants will allow sit…

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Zimbabwe’s First Ever Safe Market To Protect Women and Children Against Abuse Ready To Open

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S Ministry of Women Affairs Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development and its partners have set up a sample safe market in Harare, Epworth Overspill area in a bid to reduce incidences of abuse, Gender and Sexual Based violence (SGBV) amongst women and children by providing women with a safe operating environment. By Michael Gwarisa The markets are part of Women affairs ministry’s Safe Cities program. According to studies conducted, a number of SGBV cases as well as abuse of children occur in unregulated public spaces such as market spaces.…

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Time To Challenge Gender Bias and Inequalities

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development has called on women rights advocate groups to push for active participation and involvement of more women in key decision-making positions to ensure inequalities associated with gender are addressed. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the Harare Spotlight Initiative consortium’s commemorations of the Women’s Day celebrations, Harare Metropolitan Provincial Development Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Mr Ernest Chimboza said it was high time women claim their rightful position at the top table.…

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Catastrophic 3rd Wave Beckons In Zimbabwe As Complacency Kicks In, Expert Warns Of COVID-19 Armageddon

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S COVID-19 situation could get ugly in the not so distant future amidst indications of an increased daily positivity rate which may signal the arrival of a third wave which is likely to be deadlier and lethal owing to the emergence of new variants. By Michael Gwarisa The rise in new infections in Zimbabwe also follows the relaxation of the lockdown regulations from level four to an unspecified lower level which has seen daily activities and gatherings returning to normal as citizens try to fend for their families as well…

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We Are Happy With Sinopharm Vaccine Uptake Says Chinese Ambassador To Zim…Maintains Vaccine Is Safe, Even Pregnant Women Can Take It

Michael Gwarisa

THE Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Guo Shaochun says the uptake of the Sinopharm Vaccine in Zimbabwe was impressive and with more support, Zimbabwe could defeat the coronavirus menace early. By Michael Gwarisa His response comes hot on the heels of recent reports that the vaccine was getting low uptake even amongst front-line health workers who were initially targeted during the first phase of the vaccination program. To date, more than 35,000 Zimbabweans have been vaccinated  from the 200,000 doses Zimbabwe received from China in February. Responding to questions during…

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