Michael Gwarisa |

Stanbic kick-starts major health services initiative

November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

STANBIC Bank Zimbabwe launched a Corporate Social Investment Flagship project, which debuted at the handover of the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe half-way house known as Tariro Hostel held recently. To kick-start USIZO-RUYAMURO, Stanbic Bank refurbished and purchased bed linen and other utilities for the Hostel which provides rent-free accommodation for cancer patients who do not stay in Harare when they come for their chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at Parirenyatwa Hospital and Harare Central Hospital. Established in 1974 by CAZ, Tariro Hostel has been lying idle since 2007 as it succumbed…

Tourism Industry Could Fund Zim Healthcare

November 19, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH experts have called on Zimbabwe’s government to consider broadening the health financing net by tapping into better performing sectors such as tourism among others. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently reeling from under-funding with majority of financial resources coming from donors and the international community. However, there have been growing calls from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and health economists to consider mobilising domestic financial resources to fund health sector operations. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Assistant Country Representative, Abigail Msemburi said the tourism sector was currently one…

Free To Shine Initiative To Reduce Childhood HIV By 2030

November 18, 2019November 18, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE First Lady of Zimbabwe, Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa through the Free to Shine initiative, has pledged to heavily reduce new HIV infections in new born babies by the year 2030. By Michael Gwarisa The Free to Shine campaign, which is an initiative of the wives of African Heads of State who have come forward to end Child AIDS and keeping mothers alive as part of their contribution towards the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. In a speech read on her behalf by Director…

Africa Should Manufacture Own Condoms To End New HIV Infections

November 14, 2019November 15, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund, East and Southern Africa (UNFPA-ESARO) Regional Director Dr. Julitta Onabanjo said Africa has a condom gap of 6 billion, a situation which has resulted the in the emergence of new infections even in countries which used to have low HIV proportions. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi, Kenya The region has been experiencing a surge in new HIV infections in young adolescent girls despite a reduction in infections in other countries around the world. Countries such as Botswana, Madagascar, Eritria, Burundi and Ethiopia have recording increases…

Zim Makes Renewed ICDP Commitments

November 14, 2019November 14, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE has committed to advancing quality Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services to adolescent girls, women and young people in line with the ICPD25 goal of ending the unfinished business to health access. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi, Kenya Presenting the commitments on the closing day of the 25th International Conference on Population Development (ICPD), Director Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Health and Care (MoHCC) Dr Robert Mudyiradima said Zimbabwe was willing to make revisions to certain policies hindering access to sexual reproductive health and rights.…

Zim On Track To Fulfilling 1994 ICPD Commitments

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE will tomorrow be presenting new commitments to the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) summit in Kenya, Nairobi amidst indications that the country is amongst the few countries which have excelled in advancing Sexual Reproductive Health services to young women and girls in line with international trends. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi, Kenya In 1994, more than 179 governments converged in Cairo, Egypt where they committed to advance quality sexual reproductive health services and population development in line with modern day needs. In an interview on the side-lines of…

#ICPD25: Governments Doing Lip Service On Ending GBV Against Women and LGBTQ

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

MOST African governments have progressive policies against gender based violence (GBV) but are failing on implementation, United Nations High Commissioner for Human, Dr Michelle Bachelete has warned. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi, Kenya Briefing a panel session on GBV at the ongoing International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) in Kneya, Nairobi, Dr Bachelete said GBV requires urgent attention and political will by governments. It is the state or country’s responsibility to protect its citizens against gender based violence. Violence is so widespread violence everywhere, in rich countries and poor countries.…

US$264 Billion Required To Cover Critical ICPD Gaps

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director, Dr Natalia Kanem says a total of US$264 billion investment is required to transform the future of women’s health as well as the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for girls and women. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi, Kenya Addressing a media briefing, Dr Kanem said the Narobi Summit on International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) is to mobilise the political will and financial commitments so urgently needed to implement the program of action that was agreed by governments in 1994…

Major Commitments Mark ICPD Summit Opening

November 12, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE summit to mark 25 years since the International Population Development (ICPD) kicked off today (November, 12 2019) in Nairobi, Kenya amidst major commitments by governments, civil society and private sector organisations to accelerate access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for women and young people. By Michael Gwarisa in Nairobi Kenya The commitments are being made during the three-day Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, taking place 25 years after the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, in Cairo, where 179 governments adopted an action plan for women’s empowerment…

#ICPD25: New HIV Infections In Girls Could Derail 2020 HIV Targets

November 11, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population fund (UNFPA), has called on African governments to invest heavily towards HIV prevention measures so as to reduce the growing burden of new HIV infections amongst young adolescent girls and women in East and Southern Africa. By Michael Gwarisa in Narobi, Kenya Briefing Journalists during the ICPD summit Media consultation and orientation workshop on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), UNFPA ESARO SRHR/HIV Technical Specialist, Richard Delate said even though new infections had reduced amongst the adult population, the young female population was under siege.…