Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

#JUSTIN: Gvt Appoints New NAC Board

Michael Gwarisa

MINISTER of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Obadiah Moyo has appointed an eight member board for the National Aids Council (NAC). By Michael Gwarisa The previous NAC board was terminated in March of 2019, barely a year after it was appointed owing to numerous irregularities and concerns by stakeholders on appointment of the board, which was deemed improper and not appointed according to procedure. The new board will be chaired by Mrs Margaret Mehlomakhulu and she will be deputised by Mr Phillip Francis Moses. Matthew Mare comes in ion…

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Gvt Criticised For Dumping COVID-19 Expenses On Citizens

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has taken a swipe at government for imposing mandatory testing and wearing of face masks for citizens and employees without putting in place measures to ensure the services are available to citizens at subsidized rates or no cost at all. By Michael Gwarisa A survey conducted by HealthTimes indicates that a COVID-19 test at a private health facility is within the range of US$25 and US$50 per worker whereas in some instances, some facilities are charging between US$60 and US$70 per employee. According…

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Deforestation, Pollution Drive Zim’s Medicinal Herbs Into Near Extinction

Michael Gwarisa

EXTRACTION of medicines from the natural vegetation for both traditional and scientific medical purposes is under threat owing to uncontrolled deforestation and environmental pollution by industries, a top traditional healer has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Friday Chishanyu, the president for the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association (ZINPA), an organisation which represents traditional healers including herbalists said unlike in the old days, they now have to travel long distances in search of herbs owing to deforestation and the effects of climate change. We now have…

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Zim COVID-19 Funds Looted

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has raised alarm over the looting of funds meant for combating the COVID-19 disease in the country by government ministries and departments under the guise of domestic allowances. By Michael Gwarisa In a letter addressed to various departments and ministries, Finance and economic development ministry permanent secretary, George Guvamatanga said there  has been an increase in payment runs requesting for processing of domestic allowances narrated as COVID-19 payments during the lockdown period. As you are aware, the pronouncement of the lockdown through statutory Instrument 81 and 82 clearly called…

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Murombedzi Elected National Chairperson For Zim Women Living With HIV Forum

Michael Gwarisa

AWARD winning health journalist and HIV activist, Catherine Murombedzi has been elected National Chairperson for the Zimbabwe Women Living with HIV National Forum (ZWLWHNF). By Michael Gwarisa Murombedzi is deputised by 25 year old Phyllis Mavushe, a former USAID and PEPFAR DREAMS ambassador from Gweru who was unaminously elected vice chairperson. I am humbled by the trust exhibited by women to have lead the Zimbabwe Women living with HIV national forum (ZWLWHNF). I salute you all. A dream actioned becomes a reality” said Murombedzi. The idea from a few women…

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CWGH Salutes Zim Front-line Health Workers Fighting COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group On Health (CWGH) has paid tribute to health workers at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle despite Zimbabwe’s health delivery system being in shambles. By Michael Gwarisa In their workers day solidarity day message, CWGH Executive Director Mr Itai Rusike said it was high time government recognizes health workers and pay meaningful and livable wages. This year’s national Worker’s Day theme; “Stop Covid-19 Pandemic: Scale up social protection and dialogue, save jobs and pay a living wage”, befits the current environment which emphasizes stopping the spread…

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STANBIC JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

LEADING financial services institution, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, has put its shoulder on the wheel in the fight against Covid-19 by pledging an assortment of the much-needed equipment worth US$200 000. HealthTimes Reporter The Standard Bank Group subsidiary is geared to donate a total of 5 ventilators; 32 500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in the form of suits, masks, face shields and goggles; 2 400 PCR tests, 3 000 sanitizer bottles and 2 boreholes which will be drilled in two selected high-density suburbs of Bulawayo and Harare. Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Head…

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Call To Investigate China & WHO Over COVID-19 Spread Justified Says US Ambassador To Zim

Michael Gwarisa

CHINA was not sincere in reporting its Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections when the pandemic broke out in Wuhan, hence the need for a probe into China and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) hand in the prevailing global health crisis, United States (US) envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Brian Nicholas has said. By Michael Gwarisa ` Ambassador Nicholas said this during an interview with ZIFM Stereo, a local radio station. He said President Donal Trump was justified to call for an inquest into China and the WHO as they both did not act…

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Traditional Healers Call For Collaboration With Scientists To Fight COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE National Practitioners Association (ZINPA) president, Mr Friday Chishanyu has called for genuine collaboration between traditional medicines practitioners and scientists in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the globe. By Michael Gwarisa According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, 80 percent of the global population rely on traditional medicines for treatment and 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s population also rely on indigenous medicines. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chishanyu  said even though they can’t claim to have a cure for COVID-19, a number of…

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WHO Lauds Zim’s Broad Case Definition Criteria

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation Zimbabwe Office has commended the nation for reviewing the case definition to trace as many people for testing. By HealthTimes Reporter The WHO Zimbabwe Country Representative Dr Alex Gasasira said in an interview that Zimbabwe can increase its testing capacity through this measure. In fact I would say the number of cases started increasing because the protocol that Zimbabwe is using for testing has been broadened. Recently the Ministry of Health and Child Care increased the number of people who need to be tested,” he said.…

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