Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

SAfAIDS Appoints New Executive Director

Michael Gwarisa

THE Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) has appointed Ms Rouzeh Eghtessadi as its new Executive Director effective, November 1, 2019. By Michael Gwarisa Ms Rouzhe brings to SAfAIDS  an array of expertise in the areas of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender rights, HIV and Gender Based Violence (GBV). In a statement, Mr Cleophas Makoni, SAfAIDS Board of Trustees Chairperson said Ms Rouzeh emerged victorious and fit for the post following an extensive and rigorous recruitment process, led by the SAfAIDS Board of Trustees. Ms.…

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STIs Spike Among Young Boys In Mudzi…As Sex Workers Dish Unprotected Sex For More USD

Michael Gwarisa

INCREASED gold panning activities in Mudzi district have exposed young boys to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and other health risks at the back of an influx of commercial sex workers who have flooded the mining communities. By Michael Gwarisa Recently In Mudzi Most young people in the area have resorted to gold panning which has become the most resourceful source of income in the area. Payments for gold sales at various mills dotted around the community are done in United States dollars (USD) terms, a factor which has lured sex…

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EU Pours US$60 Million For Zim Health & Resilience Building

Michael Gwarisa

THE European Union (EU) has stepped up its humanitarian efforts in Zimbabwe through an additional US$60 million (EUR 53 million) under its National Indicative Programme. By Michael Gwarisa The funds will directly support Zimbabwe in the fields of health and resilience building. In a statement, the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Timo Olkkonen said, “US$38 million will support public health service delivery by strengthening primary care systems, capacitating human resources and enhancing community participation.” US$18 million will support household and communities in vulnerable situations across the country by increasing their…

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E-Nursing Recruitment Not Regionalistic Or Tribal

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Dr Obadhia Moyo has castigated sections of civil society whom he accused of misleading the people of Matebeleland into protesting against government’s E-nursing recruitment which they accused of favoring candidates from Mashonaland and other provinces other than Matebeleland. By Michael Gwarisa Minister Moyo said the E-Nursing recruitment system was still anew phenomenon in Zimbabwe and is bound to have technical glitches but allegations of regionalism or favoritism were a creation of uniformed civil society organisation who want to gain relevance  from creating mayhem. We have…

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Zim Gvt, UN Commit To Ending Early Unintended Pregnancies

Michael Gwarisa

THE health ambassador, First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa together with the ministries of health and education and the United Nations family in Zimbabwe have committed to ending Early and Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs). By Michael Gwarisa Launching  the Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) campaign running under the name LetsTalk Campaign, Amai Mngangagwa said Zimbabwe had progressed in crafting new policies that would address the challenges facing young girls who fall pregnant in school. Being pregnant at school at times means facing social sanctions and difficult choices that have lifelong consequences. Is could…

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UNESCO In Regional Drive To Curb Early Unintended Pregnancies

Michael Gwarisa
Mr Masimba Nyamucheta UNESCO

THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has embarked on a campaign to reduce cases of Early Unintended Pregnancies (EUPs) in Zimbabwe and other sub-Saharan countries, a move that is set to empower adolescent girls and young people to make informed decisions about their Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH). By Michael Gwarisa in Mazowe Through a partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) and Save The Children, UNESCO has already kick-started various media engagements initiatives at a regional…

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All Set For ZIMPHIA 2 Rollout

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE will in a few weeks commence roll out of the Zimbabwe Population Based HIV impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) 2020, which will examine the HIV situation by assessing the coverage and impact of HIV services at population level and measuring the HIV-related risk behaviours using a nationally representative sample. By Michael Gwarisa The survey marks the second Population Based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) after the first successful assessment which was held in 2015/2016. Officiating at the ZIMPHIA 2020 National Sensitisation Meeting, Director HIV and Tuberculosis in the Ministry of Health and…

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Zim Progresses In Putting Abortion Act On National Agenda

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE is amongst  a few countries on the African continent which have made strides in discussing about the need to have a progressive Termination of Pregnancy Act (TOP) at a national level, a sign the country is warming up to the need of having an abortion friendly law, a sexual reproductive health official has said. By Michael Gwarisa At least 14 countries are having dialogue on the issue of Termination of Pregnancy but Zimbabwe seem to have moved a step further as compared to other countries which are currently at…

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Overcoming multidrug-resistant TB in displacement

Michael Gwarisa

FOR the first time since 2015, MSF’s clinic in Shan State has cured two patients of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The couple contracted MDR-TB after being displaced by armed conflict, then had to leave their children and home for almost two years of treatment. Their story illustrates the difficulties that patients in conflict-affected communities in Myanmar face, as well as the scarcity in specialised treatment for patients in rural areas. Shan State has long been dogged by conflict between the Myanmar armed forces (Tatmadaw) and non-state ethnic armed groups, as well…

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Doctors Incapacitation Moves To Another Level… Stay Away Could Go Beyond 100 Days

Michael Gwarisa

THE situation in public health institutions has ground to a halt at the back of a prevailing impasse between government and doctors to resolve the prevailing labour dispute which has seen doctors leaving their work stations 43 days ago. By Michael Gwarisa The doctors’ labour action was last week declared illegal by the Labour Court which ordered them to resume their duties. However, the doctors maintain that the court order does not capacitate them and neither does it bring food to their tables. Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA), acting Secretary…

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