Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Enhancing Gender Equality and SRH Appreciation Amongst Boys Through The Brotha2Brotha Program

Michael Gwarisa

OVER the years, wide spread research has shown that working with, men and boys as well as women and girls leads to gender equality and contributes significantly to achieving health and development goals. By Michael Gwarisa According to evidence gathered by the United Population Fund (UNFPA), it has been proven that working towards gender equality by empowering women and engaging men  is fundamental to achieving a host of development outcomes, including reducing poverty, improving health and addressing other population concerns. Men’s and boys’ relationships with women and girls can support…

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Cholera Elimination Roadmap and Public Health Emergency Operations Center Launched In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has officially launched the Zimbabwe the Cholera Elimination Roadmap (2018-2028) and the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC). By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the launch event, VP Chiwenga said even though the launch of the Cholera elimination roadmap comes two years into the tenure of the Plan,  implementation of the National Cholera Elimination Strategic Plan has been ongoing, since year 2018. This includes a thorough evaluation of the programme, by the Independent Review Panel of the Global Taskforce for Cholera Control.…

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Zim Scientists and Business Launch Ground-breaking Tool To Eliminate COVID-19 Tests Certification Fraud

Michael Gwarisa

A local organisation, the International Covid-19 Travellers Compliance  Monitoring  Association  (ICTCMA), a consortium comprising of  Zimbabwean  doctors, laboratory  scientists,  travel agents, travellers and business people has developed a tool that is set to address the growing burden of fake COVID-19 test certificates amongst travellers. By Michael Gwarisa The new tool dubbed the International  Covid-19 Clearance  Passport is  a  multi-entry  personalized  and  securitized  booklet  that  one can  use  in up to  45  entries across the globe. Speaking to HealthTimes, Dr Masibongesonke Muloyiswa a  founding member ICTCMA said they were using  a …

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NAC/UNICEF Collaborate To Integrate WASH and HIV Programs For Positive Health Outcomes In Sanyati

Michael Gwarisa

IN a bid to reduce diarrhoeal induced morbidity and mortality amongst People Living with HIV (PLHIV) as well as influence behavior change, the National AIDS Council (NAC) has partnered the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNCEF) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to integrate HIV and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programs in Sanyati districts.   By Michael Gwarisa recently in Sanyati A study conducted by the Anglo-American Group foundation indicate that Diarrhoea remains a very common disease affecting about 90% of people living with HIV in Southern Africa,…

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Chimanimani Youth Friendly Centre Offers Diversion Therapy For Cyclone Idai Affected Youths

Michael Gwarisa

IDLENESS is the devil’s workshop and with idleness, comes dangerous habits and uncouth behaviors especially for young people who are just beginning to experience adulthood. It has been scientifically proven that during times of disaster such as the Cyclone Idai that hit Zimbabwe in 2019, people can resort to negative coping mechanisms such as transactional sex, drug abuse and crime just to survive and pass the day. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Chimanimani Young people and youths are at their most vulnerable and disadvantaged positions during times of disaster. In…

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Maisha Health Introduces New Packages

Michael Gwarisa

MAISHA Health Fund (Maisha Health) has introduced new comprehensive packages that will fully cover medical expenses for patients in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa The new packages are expected to ease the burden on patients who were being forced to cover shortfalls and make co-payments out of their pockets. Cassava Smartech Chief Commercial Officer Mr Givemore Jojo said the group’s medical insurance arm, Maisha Health (formerly Steward Health), was now fulfilling its promise by unveiling an array of packages that give members access to more benefits. We are excited to launch…

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Roll Out Targeted COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign, ZADHR Advises Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has called for a coordinated and organised roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine campaign with an initial focus on high risk and vulnerable groups. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking through its 19th COVID-19 Monitoring and Advocacy Report, ZADHR said roll out of the vaccine should nit be rushed and the safety of citizens should be prioritized above all. The ZADHR proposes that government rolls out a targeted vaccination campaign which initially prioritizes high risk groups and the vulnerable. Furthermore, a new policy…

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“We Cant Be A Country Of Merchants, We Need To Start Manufacturing Own Medicines” Prof Murwira

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE should move from being the sole importer and consumer of imported medicines if it is to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all, acting Health and Child Care Minister, Professor Amon Murwira has said. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently imports about 90 percent of its drugs and medical equipment with majority of the medications coming through from development partners and donors such as  UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA and others. In 2019, drugs and medical commodities that passed through NatPharm from development partners  was worth over US$130 million. Officiating at…

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Forcing Nurses To Apologise Is Illegal and Unjust Says ZINA

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president, Enock Dongo  recent actions by government and the ministry of health and child care of forcibly coercing nurses into submission and apologising for demanding a better life was illegal and unwelcome. By Michael Gwarisa In a Press Statement, Dongo said government had proved beyond reasonable doubt that they are above law and can break the law intentionally as long as it is in government’s favor. As ZINA we have been left dismayed by the attitude shown by the government of Zimbabwe towards nurses. The…

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Drug Resistant Gonorrhea Stalks Zimbabwe- NAC

Michael Gwarisa

A rare type of Gonorrhea  which is most prevalent in South Africa has found its way into  Zimbabwe  at the back increased cross boarder activity and inter country travel by Zimbabweans, a top National Aids Council (NAC) official has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during an Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (EMTC) workshop in Harare, NAC’s District Aids Coordinator (DAC) for Harare, Mrs Agnes Dembedza said even though Zimbabweans was doing well in terms of managing HIV infections, more Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) were still being recorded.…

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