Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Anxiety Grows Over Zim Low COVID-19 Testing Capacity

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWEANS are beginning to question the authenticity of COVID-19 results from the National Microbiology testing laboratory due to the low testing levels which most believe do not mirror the actual rate of infection on the ground. By Michael Gwarisa ` Even though more than 16000 people have returned to Zimbabwe since the virus was reported early this year, only 329 tests have been done to date. Of the 329 COVID-19 tests that have been done, 320 have come out negative. In an Interview with HealthTimes, Community Working Group on Health…

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Strive Masiyiwa donates ventilators in Covid-19 response

Michael Gwarisa

Econet’s Strive Masiyiwa has donated 45 full Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilator suites to be distributed to Zimbabwe’s public hospitals. SOURCE: NEWSDAY The country has been facing a severe shortage of ventilators which are key in managing patients with Covid-19. Zimbabwe is not the only country which has been struggling to secure the life saving equipment which cost from $15,000 up to $100,000 each. Globally countries have raised concerns over lack of these machines which are critical in patients struggling to breath on. The death of broadcaster Zororo Makamba exposed…

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Plasma, The Most Critical Blood Component For COVID-19 Treatment

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE this week commenced its 21 days lockdown as a response to the growing cases of the COVID-19 in the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has nine confirmed COVID-19 cases but with increased testing, cases are likely to increase in the coming weeks. In his address prior to the commencement of the Lockdown, President Emerson Mnangagwa hinted that essential services and critical staff in various key sectors will be reporting for work even during the shutdown period. The National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is among those organisations whose…

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Funeral Companies Suspend Burials For All COVID-19 Deaths

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE Funeral Service companies have adopted a cocktail of measures in their handling of removals and burials for their members amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The development comes after Zimbabwe has recorded eight confirmed COVID-19 cases including one death while on a global scale, the virus has infected hundreds of thousands of lives and claimed more than 35 000 lives. In response to the COVID-19, Funeral services providers met with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to discuss handling of removals and burials moving forward. See Attached Memo…

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Zim Gvt, UN Launch US$715m 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan

Michael Gwarisa

THE 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan for Zimbabwe was launched today, targeting 5.6 million people with food assistance and support in the areas of health, water-sanitation-hygiene, education, protection, nutrition, shelter, and camp coordination and management. The plan requests for a total of US$715 million from international community. The Humanitarian Response Plan was signed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing, Honorable July Moyo and the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Maria Ribeiro in the presence of His Excellency President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, Government Ministers, WHO and WFP representatives…

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NBSZ Enforces Social Distancing For Blood Donors

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has introduced a raft of measures among them social distancing to curb the spread as well as prevent contamination of blood and blood products with the Coronavirus (Covid-19). By Michael Gwarisa NBSZ Chief Executive Officer Ms Lucy Marowa said blood was a daily need and despite the fact that Zimbabwe and the world is grappling with Covid-19, blood remains a necessity. As a key player in the Zimbabwe health sector, NBSZ takes the well-being of blood donors, colleagues, customers and blood partners seriously.…

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TelOne Offers Online Workout Sessions During Lockdown Period

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S Telecommunications giant, TelOne has engaged professional fitness trainers to provide live virtual workout sessions to the generality of Zimbabweans during the national Lockdown period which kicked off yesterday, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, TelOne Head Corporate Communications and Client Expertise,  Melody Harry said the move was meant to boost morale and mental health for the citizenry during the lockdown period. We have engaged professional fitness trainers who will be recording sessions for our pages daily. They will also be live to respond to questions. “The…

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ROOTS Africa Buys Basic Goods For The Vulnerable During Zim Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

A local humanitarian organisation, ROOTS Africa has embarked on an initiative to hand out basic daily commodities and necessities  to vulnerable groups during the 21 days national lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe commenced its lockdown on Monday, March 30 2020 amidst nationwide panic buying as citizens prepared for the three weeks long phase indoors. In an interview with HealthTimes, ROOTS Africa Director, Beatrice Savadye said in as much as they welcome the national lockdown, it affected livelihoods of many people especially those who survive from hand to mouth hence…

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Zim Doctors Worried Over State Of Health Systems Amid COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Doctors For Human Rights (ZADHR) has raised concern over the state state of local health systems in light of the prevailing health catastrophe which has claimed more than 35 000 lives and infected 750 000 others. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has eight confirmed COVID-19 Cases and one death according to the ministry of health and child care. However, the doctors have indicated that the country’s management of COVID-19 could be hampered by poor systems such poor tracking of suspected cases, poor infrastructure amongst a host of other…

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#COVID-19: Zim Records Increase In COVID-19 Local Transmissions As Cases Rise To Seven

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE today recorded an additional two Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, bringing the total number of cases to seven amidst indications that increased cases were also being recorded in people without any international travel history,  a sign that local transmissions could be on the rise. By Michael Gwarisa The new cases were announced by Ministry of Health permanent secretary, Dr Agnes Mahomva  through a daily COVID-19 update where she said the national microbiology reference laboratory centre today tested 23 samples of which two of the samples turned out positive. Amongst the seven…

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