Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Manicaland State University Triumphs in SAYWHAT’s National Varsity Debate Showdown

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere in Nyazura Once overlooked as underdogs, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) pulled off a surprise victory at this year’s SAYWHAT Speak and Solve Initiative (SASI) Debate Tournament, outshining former champions the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Midlands State University (MSU), and Great Zimbabwe University (GZU). Just last year, MSUAS was eliminated in the early stages of the competition. This year, they led the scoreboard, followed by UZ as first runners’ up. GZU came in third, and MSU in fourth place. Speaking after the tournament, MSUAS debater…

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Children in Sudan face growing danger as cholera spreads amid funding cuts, World Vision warns

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  As Sudan battles a deadly and rapidly spreading cholera outbreak, millions of children are at grave risk. More than 700 people have died, including children, and 32,000 suspected cases have been  recorded since January 2025. The outbreak now affects 17 of the country’s 18 states, compounding the suffering of families already devastated by conflict, forced displacements, and a collapsing health system. Among the most vulnerable are 3.2 million malnourished children under the age of five, whose weakened immune systems leave them susceptible to cholera and other waterborne diseases. The…

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Experts Outline Overlooked Daily Habits That Support Hormonal Health in Aging Men

Michael Gwarisa

Experts at Ben’s Natural Health say there are natural ways to help your body fight back – small daily habits that don’t cost much but can add up to real results over time. A 2-Minute Cold Shower First Thing – Not at Night Cold showers aren’t just a wake-up shock – when done at the right time, they may help keep men’s hormones in check. “Start with just two to three minutes of cold water within half an hour of waking up,” says a men’s health advisor at Ben’s Natural Health. This timing helps your body…

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U.S. Senate Moves to Protect PEPFAR Funding Amid Trump-Era Cuts Threat

Michael Gwarisa

By Health Times Correspondent The International AIDS Society (IAS) has applauded a bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate to safeguard the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from a proposed $400 million funding cut that had originated from President Donald Trump’s rescission package. However, advocates caution that the battle is far from over. Both the Senate and House of Representatives must still vote on the final budget package, and last-minute changes could emerge before the statutory deadline. PEPFAR, launched in 2003 by President George W. Bush, is widely…

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Global Leaders Come Together at IAS 2025 in Kigali

Michael Gwarisa

By Health Times Reporter in Kigali, Rwanda The 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) 2025 conference opened today in Kigali with a powerful call to action: ‘Communities must lead the fight to end HIV’. Over 5,000 scientists, activists, and policymakers gathered to celebrate scientific progress while demanding urgent investment in grassroots solutions. Rosemary Mburu, a seasoned HIV advocate, set an inspiring tone with her speech. “Before the global partnerships and wonder drugs, it was communities, armed with love and courage, who faced the darkness of the epidemic,” she stated. Emphasizing the vital role of…

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Global Polio Eradication Efforts Face New Challenge with Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus

Michael Gwarisa
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By Michael Gwarisa Even though the world has made remarkable progress in the fight against polio, with wild poliovirus now circulating in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a new challenge has emerged: vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), which is causing outbreaks in previously polio-free regions. The development underscores the urgent need for robust immunization programmes and global cooperation to achieve the goal of complete polio eradication by 2023, as outlined in the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030). The Polio Eradication Journey Polio, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease, has been targeted for…

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Zimbabwean Researcher Abel Mavura Wins 2025 ISSS Award for Groundbreaking Study on Migrant Resilience

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Birmingham, UK – July 15, 2025 – Zimbabwean-born researcher Abel Mavura, currently based in the UK, has been awarded the 2025 Margaret Mead Memorial Award by the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) for the best student paper. The award was presented during the ISSS Annual Meeting at the University of Birmingham Leadership Institute on July 14. Selected by leading systems science scholars, Mavura’s paper “Resilience Among Young Male Migrants in Paris’ Informal Housing”was recognized for its originality, analytical clarity, and commitment, collectivist, and culturally pluralistic…

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Zimbabwe Ranks Second Globally for HIV-Related Stigma, UNAIDS Report Finds

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe has the second highest proportion of people who experienced HIV-related stigma while seeking HIV or other health services in the past year, according to the latest UNAIDS report. Drawing from the People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 (2020–2024), the UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2025 shows that Iran tops the list with 36 percent of people living with HIV (PLHIV) reporting stigma. Zimbabwe follows with 30 percent. Sierra Leone ranks third, with 27 percent of PLHIV facing stigma, followed by Vietnam with 25 percent. In New…

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WHO Recommends Twice-Yearly Injectable Lenacapavir as Game-Changer in HIV Prevention

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a landmark move that could transform the global fight against HIV, the World Health Organization (WHO) today issued new guidelines endorsing the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) administered twice a year as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option. The announcement was made at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science, currently underway in Kigali, Rwanda. LEN is the first long-acting injectable PrEP designed to protect people at risk of HIV with just two doses annually, offering a highly effective alternative to daily…

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NAC Fears HIV Setbacks Despite Global Praise

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  Zimbabwe has earned international praise for its HIV response, with the latest UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2025 placing the country among a select group on track to meet the ambitious 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat. However, health authorities at home have issued a stark warning: the next five years could undo years of progress if urgent action is not taken to counter recent funding setbacks. According to UNAIDS, Zimbabwe is one of only seven countries in Eastern and Southern Africa to have…

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