Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

COVID-19 Will Widen Poverty Gap Between Women And Men- UN Study

Michael Gwarisa

THE COVID-19 crisis will dramatically increase the poverty rate for women and widen the gap between men and women who live in poverty, according to new data released today by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The poverty rate for women was expected to decrease by 2.7 percent between 2019 and 2021, but projections now point to an increase of 9.1 percent due to the pandemic and its fallout. The projections, commissioned by UN Women and UNDP, and carried out by the Pardee Centre for International Futures…

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New collaboration between Novartis and Africa Medical Supplies Platform To Facilitate Supply Of COVID-19 Related Medicines

Michael Gwarisa

THE African Union through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19 related supplies The collaboration aims to help alleviate supply and logistical constraints in the African Union member states; Portfolio of 15 generic and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Sandoz division will be sold at zero-profit to governments through Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) to 55 African and 15 Caricom eligible countries; the African Union through the AMSP has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19…

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Zim Traditional Medicines Practitioners Applaud Gvt For Engaging Them In COVID-19 Fight

Michael Gwarisa

TRADITIONAL medicines practitioners have applauded government and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) for recognizing their role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the country’s 10 provinces. By Michael Gwarisa This also comes at a time the world is celebrating the African Traditional Medicines day which is commemorated every on the first of September. In an interview with HealthTimes, Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association (ZINPA) president, Mr Friday Chishanyu said traditional medicines practitioners deserve recognition and assistance from government. We are happy that…

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WHO To Host Conference to Discuss Strategies To End Preventable Newborn Deaths and Stillbirths By 2030

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) will tomorrow be hosting a webinar to launch the 2025 Every Newborn Coverage Targets and Milestones, plan to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths by the year 2030, According to the WHO, global actions now will determine the course of maternal and newborn health for the next decade and the health and lives of future generations. Essential health services, including high-quality maternal and newborn health care must be sustained and further strengthened to withstand shocks like COVID-19, in order to protect the lives and health…

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Gvt Announces Schools Reopening Dates

Michael Gwarisa

CABINET has scheduled the schools reopening dates to 14 September 2020 for Cambridge Examinations classes and 28 September 2020 for Zimsec Examination classes. By Michael Gwarisa According to Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa, “Cabinet approved that the Zimsec Examinations should start on 1 December, 2020. The Ministry is working closely with other Ministries and stakeholders to guarantee the safety of pupils and staff during the examinations period.  Standard Operating Procedures have been distributed to all schools.” Cabinet  also acknowledged that despite the surge in positive local…

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Condomless sex sufficient to pass on hepatitis C between men

Michael Gwarisa

INVESTIGATIONS have concluded that  Hepatitis C transmission during anal sex can take place without bleeding, trauma or sharing of injecting equipment and exposure to semen. HealthTimes The  intensive investigations  are well documented in the  United States report in the journal PLOS ONE where  ten cases of recent hepatitis C infection in eight gay men living with HIV were conducted. The study was designed to investigate whether blood exposure is necessary for hepatitis C transmission during anal intercourse or if the virus can be passed on through condomless anal intercourse without…

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Antimicrobial Resistance Greatest Threat To Modern Medicines- Dr Midzi

Michael Gwarisa

ANTIMICROBIAL Resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to human and animal health in the African region, Zimbabwe included and needs to be addressed collectively and comprehensively, World Health Organisation (WHO Zimbabwe) Health Systems Strengthening Advisor, Dr Stanley Midzi has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking in a virtual meeting recently, Dr Midzi said recent studies on Antimicrobial Resistance projected that if nothing serious is done now, AMR will lead to 10 million deaths per year (from current 700 000, more than cancer) by the year 2050 and this will result in in…

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New UNAIDS Report Raise Concerns Over Human Rights Abuse For Persons Living With HIV, Key Populations & Health Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Michael Gwarisa

A new report published by the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has noted high incidences of human rights abuse for health workers, persons living with HIV and key populations at high risk of HIV infection since the pandemic was reported in several countries. By Michael Gwarisa The report, “Rights in a pandemic – Lockdowns, rights and lessons from HIV in the early response to COVID-19″   is a snapshot in time, focusing on the very early days of the pandemic, from February till mid-May 2020, drawing attention to…

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Provide Food Basket Instead To Avert COVID-19 Induced Malnutrition- Gvt Told

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition (ZCSOSUNA) has called on government to  replace the current ZW$200 food assistance cash transfer assistance being given to vulnerable households with a nutritious food basket  in a bit to avert a spike in Severe Acute Malnutrition cases. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists this morning, ZCSOSUNA National Coordinator, Mr Kudakwashe Zombe said food and nutrition assistance need to be at the heart of social protection programmes especially under the prevailing environment where revenue streams have been disrupted at the back of lockdown restrictions.…

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TelOne, NetOne Partner To Refurbish Sally Mugabe Hospital Ward

Michael Gwarisa

 TELONE in partnership with mobile network operator, NetOne have combined efforts to refurbish and fully equip a ward at Sally Mugabe Hospital (formally Harare Hospital), a move that  is set to improve service delivery at the health institution. By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the Ward Handover Ceremony, First Lady, Mai Auxilia Mnangagwa said the gesture by the two entities was a step in the right direction for the country’s health sector which is currently in need of recapitalisation. I am delighted to be officiating at this event today, which is…

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