Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

NUST Crowned 2025 SAYWHAT University Quiz Champions

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere recently in Nyazura The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) was crowned the winner of this year’s SAYWHAT University Quiz Competition last Friday. Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) came in second, while Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) secured third place. This year’s edition of the competition, dubbed the Rujeko Edition, featured 16 universities, up from 12 in the previous year. Speaking to journalists after the competition, NUST representatives Daniella Manzini and Gideon Mhlanga expressed their excitement at finally clinching the title, having finished in…

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Zimbabwe Faces Fertility Decline as Global Childbearing Crisis Deepens

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is experiencing a demographic shift in terms of fertility rate, in line with global trends, as more people struggle to achieve their reproductive goals. According to the 2024 State of the World Population (SWP) report by UNFPA, the world is undergoing a fertility crisis where individuals are increasingly unable to have the number of children they want, when they want, or with whom they want. Back home, the country’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has seen a steady decline from 4.3 children per woman in 1994 to…

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Civil War Worsens Cholera Crisis in Sudan, Warns Africa CDC

Michael Gwarisa
https://staging11.atomistic.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/qtwruk35.png

By Michael Gwarisa Efforts to curb cholera outbreaks across Africa are facing severe challenges, with Sudan’s ongoing civil war exacerbating an already dire situation. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent remains the epicenter of the global cholera burden, with Sudan standing out due to the devastating impact of conflict on public health infrastructure. As of July 10, 2025, Africa has recorded 182,506 cholera cases and 3,697 deaths across 21 member states, according to official data released during Africa CDC’s weekly media briefing.…

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UAE Donates Medical Supplies Worth US$700,000 to Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe on Thursday received a consignment of medical supplies worth US$700,000 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support the strengthening of the country’s public health sector. The donation consists of 34 tons of essential supplies, including ventilators and other medical sundries. Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the NatPharm warehouse in Harare, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Hon. Sleiman Kwidini commended the solidarity shown by the UAE government. “Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE continues…

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Egyptian Students Launch Africa’s First “Health Diplomacy” Program for Future Doctors

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Cairo has become the stage for a groundbreaking initiative with the launch of the “Health Diplomacy for Medical Students” program, the first of its kind in Egypt and across the African continent. Spearheaded by the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Egypt (IFMSA-Egypt) and its branch at MTI University, the program is supported by the Scientific Association of Medical Students at the Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI) and enjoys media sponsorship from the AfroMedia Initiative for Journalism and Media. Held at the Faculty of…

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Africa CDC Launches Continental Strategy to Combat Zoonotic Diseases

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Africa is stepping up its fight against zoonotic diseases with a bold new continental strategy that aims to transform how countries prevent, detect, and respond to health threats shared between humans, animals, and the environment. The Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy 2025–2029, launched by the African Union (AU) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), marks a turning point in the continent’s public health journey. Zoonotic diseases, those transmitted between animals and humans, have become a persistent and growing threat. From Ebola…

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From Brake Fluid Manufacturer to Pharmaceutical Powerhouse: Varichem’s 40-Year Journey In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa When you walk into a pharmacy or a hospital in Zimbabwe, chances are high that the medicine you’re prescribed or dispensed is manufactured by Varichem. From its humble beginnings as a manufacturer of automobile lubricants and brake fluids, Varichem Pharmaceuticals has grown to become a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer with a footprint that spans multiple African countries. This year, Varichem marks a remarkable 40 years in the pharmaceutical manufacturing business. It is a journey shaped by visionary leadership, resilience in the face of economic and regulatory adversity, and…

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Gilead’s Secrecy Over HIV Prevention Shot Sparks Global Outrage

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Gilead Sciences has come under fire after announcing a secretive deal to supply its long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir (LEN-LA), to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The agreement—shrouded in indefinite price secrecy—has been widely condemned by civil society organisations, health advocates, and global health experts who warn it undermines transparency, accountability, and equitable access. The Global Fund, financed by public money, has invited nine African countries—South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria—to participate in the agreement. However, the…

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WCoZ Launches Indigenous Women Forum to Amplify Voices and Shape Policy

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has officially launched the Indigenous Women’s Forum, a landmark platform that seeks to empower indigenous women and girls across Zimbabwe by addressing their unique challenges and fostering leadership, advocacy and inclusion. The forum was unveiled at a vibrant gathering attended by women from various indigenous communities, traditional leaders and civil society actors. It aims to create a safe, inclusive environment for indigenous women to share experiences, shape policy and drive change at both national and global levels. WCoZ National Coordinating Committee…

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UK partners with Gavi to help save up to 8 million lives by 2030

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  The United Kingdom (UK) has pledged £1.25 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, reaffirming its position as a leading global investor in vaccinations aimed at protecting millions of children from life-threatening diseases between 2026 and 2030. The announcement was made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Gavi’s global summit in Brussels, where he hailed the 25-year partnership between the UK and Gavi as a lifesaving collaboration that has vaccinated over 1 billion children and saved more than 18 million lives. Gavi’s global impact is undeniable,” said Lammy.…

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