Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

2018 Cholera Drug Resistance Burden Linked To Poor Waste Management

Michael Gwarisa

IMPROPER disposal and management of waste in Zimbabwe has given rise to Antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR) especially for diarrhoeal diseases as people end up continuously taking antibiotics to manage recurring diseases, Director Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Portia Manangazira has said. By Michael Gwarisa The revelations also follows a recent study by local epidemiologists which concluded that the Cholera epidemic of 2018 which ravaged Zimbabwe, had high incidences of drug resistance which made it difficult to contain the disease using the…

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Dapirivirine Ring Not Substitute For Other HIV Prevention Methods- Dr Mgodi

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi MBChB, MMed, Investigator of Record, HPTN-084 Zimbabwe – University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research Centre, and HPTN Executive Committee Member

THE Dapirivirine Vaginal Ring, a new effective HIV prevention tool for women, is not a substitute for existing  HIV prevention methods but rather an innovation to expand prevention options for women, Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi an HIV expert and histopathologist   has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a Twitter Question and Answer session that was organized by HealthTimes, Dr Mgodi said women need safe and effective biomedical HIV prevention strategies for use throughout their lives and the Dapirivirine ring presented women with such an opportunity. Studies of other HIV prevention…

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Only 1 293 People Left In Zim Quarantine Centers

Michael Gwarisa

A total 1 293 people are still housed in quarantine centers across the country, signifying a huge reduction the figures recorded in the previous weeks. By Michael Gwarisa In media brief, Information, publicity and broadcasting services minister, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in as much as the recoveries were promising, danger was still lurking and people needed to be vigilant. Consequentially, our statistics have changed as we implement these new protocols. Recoveries have risen from 1 998 to 4 442 for the period between 14 August to 19 August 2020 largely…

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Nine COVID-19 Vaccines Under Assessment- WHO

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus says at least nine vaccines are part of a dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed and optimised to ensure access to the best possible range of products. By Michael Gwarisa In a Press Statement, Dr Tedros said 172 countries were now engaging with the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility, which has both the largest and most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the world. At present there are nine vaccines that are part of this dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed…

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A First For Zimbabwe As New Medical Aid Scheme That Embraces Modern and Traditional Medicines Is Launched

Michael Gwarisa

WELLNESS Medical Aid society, a unique and integrated approach to healthcare service provision has been launched in Zimbabwe in a bid to provide options for healthcare services seekers and the generality of the population. By Michael Gwarisa The product brings together various service providers on board including indigenous health practitioners from traditional medicine practitioners as well as modern medical practitioners under one roof to offer services in their areas of specialty. In a speech read on his behalf by acting director curative services in the ministry of health and child…

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“Shaina” A New Movie About Coming Of Age Premiers Tonight On ZTV

Michael Gwarisa

THE U.S. Agency for International Development  (USAID) in collaboration with high profiled Zimbabwean actors have come together to deliver a unique coming of age film titled Shaina which premiers tonight at 9 PM on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC TV.) By Michael Gwarisa The film  also follows the Success of other two projects “Inside Story” and “Lucky Specials” and is part of a media initiative to empower adolescent girls and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa by the (USAID). The USAID funded feature-length film, Shaina, premiers on ZBC-TV at 21 at 9PM tonight and …

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Masvingo Records First COVID-19 Death

Michael Gwarisa

MASVINGO province has recorded its first COVID-19 fatality amidst eight more other deaths that were recorded in other provinces in the past 24 hours. By Michael Gwarisa According to the health ministry daily COVID-19 update, nine deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths recorded so far to 150. 263 new cases and nine deaths were reported in the past 24 hours. 254 are local cases and 11 are returnees from South Africa. Six deaths are from Harare province, one Mashonaland Central, One Masvingo…

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COVID-19 Relief for Vulnerable Women and girls in Mabvuku

Michael Gwarisa

Women Action Group (WAG) has donated a consignment of hampers consisting of food stuffs, toiletries, sanitary wear, hand sanitizers and face masks to several women in Mabvuku as part of their ongoing drive to assist vulnerable women who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 induced lockdown. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes in Mabvuku, WAG Executive Director Mrs Ednah Masiyiwa said in as much as the COVID-19 and the lockdown has affected everyone, women and girls have been hardest hit economically and socially, especially in terms of…

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#BREAKING: Zim Lockdown Restrictions Relaxed, Curfew Now Starts At 8 PM

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has revised the COVID-19 curfew as it moves to relax lockdown restrictions at the back of improved recoveries countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during post cabinet media briefing, Information publicity and broadcasting services minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa said government had also moved to allow families to manage cases from home. In view of the surge in positive local cases, Cabinet approved Guidelines to help families manage COVID-19 cases at home. Furthermore, in order to curtail the spike in infections Zimbabwe requires a more robust testing regime. “Having noted…

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#BREAKING: Harare Records Massive COVID-19 Recoveries In 24 Hours

Michael Gwarisa

HARARE Province has over the past 24 hours recorded a massive jump in COVUD-19 recoveries from 76 to 1698, a development which could signal the beginning of a new era  in Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 trajectory. By Michael Gwarisa According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s (MoHCC) daily sitrep, the new Harare recoveries bring the total number of national recoveries to date 3848.  47 new cases and three deaths reported in the last 24 hours. 42 are local cases and five are returnees from South Africa. One death is from…

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