Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

FDA approves twice-a-year injection for HIV prevention

Michael Gwarisa

CNN — A drug currently used to treat certain HIV infections has also, on Wednesday, received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to be used to prevent HIV. Gilead Sciences, maker of the drug, announced that a twice-a-year injection of lenacapavir has been approved in the United States for HIV prevention under the brand name Yeztugo. In clinical trials, the drug was found to dramatically reduce the risk of infection and provide near-total protection against HIV, significantly more than the primary options available for pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. Therapies called PrEP…

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Avenues Clinic Rallies Youth Toward STEM, Breaking Perceived Limitations

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In an era fraught with job uncertainty, driven by advances in artificial intelligence and a contracting employment market, the Avenues Clinic in Harare recently took an inspiring step to empower its young men. On June 14, more than 100 male students from Harare High School, Allan Wilson, Mufakose High School, and others attended a dynamic careers exhibition hosted by the clinic. The event celebrated Father’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Month, offering teens insights into science and business pathways they might not have considered before. Located in…

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Africa’s Healthcare Gets Boost as Merck Foundation-Trained Doctors Fill Specialist Gap

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere Following training in critical specialties through scholarships awarded by the Merck Foundation, African doctors are now seeing around 1,000 patients each month, significantly reducing the disease burden in their communities. Previously, many of these patients had nowhere to go for specialized care. Speaking at the Merck Foundation First Lades Initiative in Dubai, Merck Foundation Chief Executive Dr. Rasha Kelej said the training programs have played a transformative role in Africa’s health sector. “We have provided scholarships to doctors from 52 countries—primarily in Africa and some in Asia—covering…

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How Masvingo’s Health Facilities Are Giving Sex Workers a Lifeline Amid Donor Cuts

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Masvingo She is nine months pregnant and could give birth any day now, yet Melody Mhlanga* still sells sex to survive. The 25-year-old from Gutu, Masvingo Province, found herself thrust into the world of sex work three months ago after her marriage collapsed. With no income, no support, and a baby on the way, she saw no other path. “I joined sex work three months ago when my marriage crumbled,” she says, her voice trembling. “I didn’t have any source of income, and I needed to…

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Op-ed: Adolescents and young people today, leaders tomorrow: commemorating the Day of the African Child

Michael Gwarisa

Authored by: Mr Henry Damisoni, UNAIDS Representative, Ms Etona Ekole, UNICEF Representative,  Mrs Miranda Tabifor, UNFPA Representative, Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative In a local health clinic in Zimbabwe, Patience, a nurse and midwife, counsels and supports women and girls on a daily basis – some who are trying to prevent a pregnancy, those who are soon to become first-time mothers, and others who are living with HIV and seek to take care of themselves and their partners.  This is a new generation of young people and adolescents, who yearn for a…

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Prioritizing Zimbabwe’s Children future in an uncertain time for Global Aid

Michael Gwarisa

By Etona Ekole One of the greatest joys of my work is meeting Zimbabwean children—bright, resilient, and full of dreams. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing how a school meal, a safe classroom, or a kind health worker can transform a child’s life. However, with every success story, I see the urgent needs that remain—a child too small for their age due to stunting, a girl missing school due to lack of menstrual health services, a baby dying due to preventable disease. These moments are a sobering reminder that while…

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Father first, miner Second: Why a Gwanda artisanal miner puts family before all

Michael Gwarisa

The now 44-year-old Zibusiso Ndlovu was only 19 when he came to Tshebetshebe, Gwanda in 2001 to explore the ‘golden’ opportunities offered in the gold mining sector in Zimbabwe. He was full of hope at a time Zimbabwe was experiencing serious economic challenges that led to high inflation and job losses. With the fear of losing his job and the little income he was getting at the end of each month weighing heavily on him, Zibusiso decided to leave his general hand job at one of the foreign-owned commercial gold…

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Zimbabwe Wraps Up Essential Health Services Project Strengthening District Facilities

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere The curtain has come down on the Zimbabwe COVID-19 Response and Essential Health Services Project (ZCREHSP), following the successful renovation and equipping of 25 district health facilities across the country. The project was funded by the World Bank and implemented by Cordaid on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The upgraded districts include Gokwe South, Munene Mission, Murambinda, Marange, Hauna, Mashoko Mission, Chikombedzi, Musiso Mission, Matibi Mission, Chidamoyo, Sanyati, Father O’Hea, Siakobvu, Sadza, Mutoko, Mutawatawa, Nhowe Mission, Chitsungo Mission, Marymount, St Alberts, Mt Darwin,…

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Sweden Reaffirms Commitment to SRHR and Drug Abuse Programs in Zimbabwe Amid Global Geopolitical Priorities

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere Despite being heavily engaged in the geopolitical conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Sweden says it remains steadfast in supporting Zimbabwe’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) initiatives, as well as drug and substance abuse programs. This assurance was given by the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden to Zimbabwe, Dag Sundelin, during an interview with the press on the sidelines of National Sweden Day last week. “We haven’t changed at all when it comes to our priorities on SRHR. So, it’s still gender…

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AI Revolution in Healthcare: UK and Zimbabwe Unite to Drive Smart Health Systems

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a powerful convergence of global innovation and local ambition, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and University College London (UCL) recently concluded a groundbreaking three-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and health, aimed at reimagining healthcare delivery in Africa. Held at the UZ Innovation Hub, the event brought together top academics, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers — all aligned on one message: AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it is already reshaping lives and saving them. UK Development Director Jo Abbot, in her keynote address,…

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