Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

332 COVID-19 Cases Recorded in Zim Schools To Date

Michael Gwarisa

CABINET has announced that a total 332 COVID-19 cases with majority of them being asymptomatic, have been reported in both primary and secondary learning institutions in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing the media during a pots cabinet briefing, Information, publicity and broadcasting services minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the number of cases that have been reported in schools to date was still very low and there was no need to panic. In the learning institutions, a total of 332 COVID-19 cases were reported and the majority of these are asymptomatic,…

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#COVID-19: The Grinch Who Stole Our Christmas

Michael Gwarisa

BY definition, a Grinch is a grumpy person who spoils the pleasure of others or a party-popper. Most of you might have watched The Grinch movie by Jim Carrey or the 2018 animated version of The Grinch, a movie about a grumpy Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) who plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville, a fictional place in the film. By Michael Gwarisa To make sure the whole of Whoville doesn’t celebrate Christmas and all the joy it brings, the Grinch spent the entire Christmas eve night stealing all…

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Zim Applauded For Honoring The Rights and Welfare of Children

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) has commended the government of Zimbabwe for coming up with a number of policies that serve the interests and aspirations of children in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. By Michael Gwarisa The Charter of the Rights and Welfare of Children is a treaty and instrument that the government of Zimbabwe also ratified in 1990. In an interview with HealthTimes on the sidelines of a conference to mark the celebrations of the 30th…

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Engage Couples To End Mother To Child Transmission of HIV- PAPWC-ZIM

Michael Gwarisa

PAN-African Positive Women’s Coalition Zimbabwe (PAPWC-ZIM) national coordinator, Tendai Westerhof  says Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (EMTC) programing should now prioritise partner support more if the battle against mother and parent to child transmission of HIV is to be won. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the recently held EMTCT Workshop in the Harare, Westerhof said unlike in the past where EMTCT programs only targeted women, pregnant and lactating mothers, engaging men and fathers would also help in reducing the risk infecting the child during and post pregnancy.…

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How Economic Empowerment Project Has Liberated Zim Rural Women From GBV

Michael Gwarisa

THE dawn of the lockdown period that was introduced following confirmation of positive COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe in March this year gave birth to a spike in Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases in the country. By Michael Gwarisa According to a report titled “Violence Against Women and Girls During the Covid-19 Crisis in Zimbabwe” that was gathered by five NGOs working with survivors of gender-based violence, including the Musasa Project, the Adult Rape Clinic and the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, there was a sharp increase in domestic violence during the…

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One Stop Center For Survivors Of GBV Launched In Zimbabwe Under Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Zimbabwe with the support of the European Union  today launched a treatment and support centre for survivors of Gender Based Violence also known as a “One Stop Centre” where services will be provided in one place. By Michael Gwarisa The One Stop Centre is located at Bindura General Hospital in Bindura, Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland Central Province, about 100 kilometres outside the capital Harare. It is being launched under the European Union supported Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls.…

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Zimbabwe Commemorates World AIDS Day…AS US Government Pledges US$230 Million To Boost HIV/AIDS Prevention Capacity

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE today joined the rest of the world in observing the World AIDS Day (WAD) at a time the country is reported to have made significant strides towards HIV epidemic control. By Michael Gwarisa The WAD 2020 commemorations were held under the theme “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility,” and were held in Harare at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) under strict COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Speaking during the WAD commemorations, Health and Child Care minister, Vice President Constatino Chiwenga said he was pleased to note that Zimbabwe had registered significant progress…

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National HIV Survey (ZIMPHIA 2020) Results Indicate Zimbabwe is On Track to Achieve HIV Epidemic Control by 2030

Michael Gwarisa

AS Zimbabwe joins the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day, results from the second Zimbabwe Population-based HIV Impact Assessment survey (ZIMPHIA 2020), released today demonstrate the nation’s continued progress towards achieving HIV epidemic control by 2030. ZIMPHIA 2020 found that 86.8 percent of adults living with HIV were aware of their status and of those aware of their status, 97.0 percent were on antiretroviral treatment. Among those on treatment, 90.3 percent achieved viral load suppression. According to the survey, the rate of annual new HIV infections among adults in…

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ZNNP+ Launches Five Year Strategic Plan To Enhance Communities Response To HIV

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe National Network for People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) has launched a strategic plan which is set to guide their work as well as intensify communities capacity to respond to HIV at community level. By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the strategic plan launch event which also coincided with the annual Candlelight Memorial to honor those who lost their lives due to HIV, deputy minister in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr John Mangwiro said the ZNNP+ strategy would help accelerate government’s plans to boost local production…

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#Breaking: Vaginal Ring for Women’s HIV Prevention Receives WHO Prequalification

Michael Gwarisa

SILVER SPRING, Md. (November 30, 2020)—The nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) is pleased to announce the World Health Organization’s (WHO) prequalification of the dapivirine ring, a monthly vaginal ring to reduce women’s HIV risk. This designation from the WHO confirms that the ring meets global standards for quality, safety and efficacy. The product’s addition to the WHO’s list of prequalified medicines will help guide national and global procurement decisions, pending country regulatory approvals for its use. The ring’s prequalification follows a positive scientific opinion for the product in July…

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