Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Masvingo Now Has Only One Active COVID-19 Case

Michael Gwarisa

AS Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 cases continue on a downward trend, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) statistics indicate that Masvingo province now has a single active COVID-19 case. By Michael Gwarisa According to the MoHCC sitrep of September 19, 2020, Masvingo had only one remaining active COVID-19 case, 227 cumulative recoveries against 230 cumulative cases and two deaths. Masvingo is followed by Mashonaland Central which has only nine active cases remaining, 171 cumulative recoveries and 184 cumulative cases. From September 12, 2020 to 18 September 2020, 218 new cases…

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Uzumba Councillor Commences Construction Of Four Clinics, Targets To Reduce Maternal Complications

Michael Gwarisa

COUNCILLOR for Uzumba, Ward 14, Cllr Fagio Marowa has embarked on an ambitious project to build four clinics in Mayema, Mutize, Zenga and Kaseke in a bid to improve access to primary health care services for more than 8000 villagers. By Michael Gwarisa Recently In Uzumba At the moment majority of villagers from at least 27 villages are getting health assistance at Nhakiwa Clinic which to some is located 20 kilometers away and in most cases is difficult to access during rainy seasons due to flooded rivers and a rugged…

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ZIMBABWE: Nurses lay foundation for better chronic disease management

Michael Gwarisa

IN Zimbabwe, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are estimated to account for 31% of total deaths, with diabetes, hypertension and asthma as the main killers.  The country has been facing a number of challenges that have resulted in the deterioration of many facets of daily life, most notably the health sector. Healthcare workers are overwhelmed and doctors, especially in rural areas, are scarce. Millions of Zimbabweans are disconnected from health networks, living far away from larger cities and unable to afford the cost of travel and even treatment. During the last census…

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UK Support To Zim Keeps Essential Health Services Afloat During COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

AN ongoing United Kingdom Government (UK) five-year US$168.8 million health programme in Zimbabwe has seen the health sector offering uninterrupted essential health services despite the COVID-19 crisis. By Michael Gwarisa The UK as a major donor in the health sector also provided US$50 million in 2020 to Zimbabwe through the Health Development Fund (HDF), Global Vaccines Alliance (GAVI) and The Global Fund. Speaking to HealthTimes, the UK’s Development Director for Zimbabwe, Cate Turton said the support from the UK government was also aimed at equipping primary healthcare workers where majority…

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New High Level Commission Established To Track ICPD25 Commitments As COVID-19 Threatens To Sway Progress

Michael Gwarisa

A new High-Level Commission of advocates, experts and activists will be established today to help commitments to women’s health and rights made at the November 2019 Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 stay on track, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is blocking access to essential services, such as family planning and antenatal care. By Michael Gwarisa The Nairobi Summit secured billions of dollars in commitments from governments, the private sector, foundations and others. It rallied support to achieve “three zeros” – zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths,…

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Facebook Partners NBSZ To increase Blood Donations In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

FACEBOOK in partnership with the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) announce a new feature to encourage people to donate blood. Starting today, Zimbabweans who are between 18-65 years old, will have the option to sign up as blood donors on Facebook, be notified when blood donor centres near them have an urgent need for donations and invite friends to donate. HealthTimes Reporter With Zimbabwe being the eighth country in Africa where Facebook has launched this feature, this initiative comes at a crucial time as the pandemic is now widespread, resulting…

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Patents Could Impact Negatively on Zim’s Access to COVID-19 Treatment

Michael Gwarisa

DOZENS of coronavirus vaccines are currently under development as the world races towards getting a vaccine that could rescue the world from the prevailing misery. To date, more than 150 coronavirus vaccines are in development across the world—and hopes are high to bring one to market in record time to ease the global crisis. By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization is also coordinating global efforts to develop a vaccine, with an eye toward delivering two billion doses by the end of 2021. However, in the midst of all these…

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#JUSTIN: Gov Opens Inter City Travel, VID, Registrar and Passport Office

Michael Gwarisa

CABINET has announced the resumption of inter city travel among other transport related services in a bid to cope with the reopening of schools. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing journalists during a post cabinet media briefing, Information minister, minister Monica Mutsvagwa invited transporters wishing to operate to register with government ahead the reopening of schools. In view of the re-opening of schools for examination classes, the tourism and hospitality industry, and aviation sectors and the need to afford the working class time to attend gymnasia, Cabinet approved the extension of business…

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USAID Trains Over 8000 Health Workers To Manage COVID-19 In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE United States Agency for International Development  (USAID) has trained more than 8,200 healthcare workers and experts to provide technical support at health facilities in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual roundtable meeting with journalists, newly appointed USAID mission director in Zimbabwe, Mr Art Brown said the United States government was committed to improving lives of ordinary Zimbabweans through  poverty alleviation, eliminating hunger and improving health standards. One of the major priorities that we have that I have stumbled into is the COVID-19 Pandemic that…

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Civil Society, NAC Meet Senators To Discuss Age Restrictions To SRHR Access

Michael Gwarisa

A consortium of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) together with the National AIDS Council (NAC yesterday met senators to deliberate on issues hindering young people from accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. By Michael Gwarisa The consortium dubbed the Access Task-force consists of various civil society organizations which include Advocacy Core Team, Right Here Right Now (RHRN), The PITCH Consortium, SHR Africa Trust (SAT), Youth Advocate Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Young Positives, Youth Engage, My Age and other youth affiliated organizations that have come on board to sign the petition…

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