By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Health Professions Authority (HPA) have issued a stern warning to the public against the illegal sale, purchase, and use of the prescription drug Ozempic—popularly known as the “skinny jab”—amid rising reports of its misuse for weight loss purposes. Originally developed and approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has recently gained attention for its off-label use as a rapid weight-loss solution. However, authorities caution that unsupervised use of the drug poses serious health risks and could…
Read MoreAuthor: Michael Gwarisa
Editor for HealthTimes, Zimbabwe's leading online health news publication
After Years Stuck at 10%, Zimbabwe’s Medical Aid Coverage Crashes to Just 4%
By Michael Gwarisa Health insurance coverage in Zimbabwe has declined to a historic low, with new data revealing that only four percent of the country’s population is currently covered by any form of medical aid. This comes after more than a decade in which the national coverage rate stagnated at around 10 percent, raising fresh concerns about the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in the country. The figures are drawn from the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), which paints a stark picture of declining health insurance coverage across…
Read MoreCWGH Welcomes Appointment of Maternal & Perinatal Death Review Committee
By Michael Gwarisa The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has welcomed the appointment of the 2025–2028 Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) National Steering Committee by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora. The newly appointed committee is expected to play a crucial role in reviewing maternal and perinatal deaths and recommending urgent national actions to reduce preventable fatalities. The MPDSR Committee, first established in 2015, is tasked with identifying key trends and systemic weaknesses contributing to maternal and newborn deaths, and offering strategic…
Read MoreBulawayo Tops Women’s Alcohol Consumption in Zimbabwe: Report
By Staff Reporter Women in Bulawayo are drinking more alcohol than women in any other province in Zimbabwe, according to the 2023–2024 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). The report, released this year, sheds light on gendered patterns of alcohol use across the country, revealing both behavioral trends and potential public health concerns. The data shows that 9 percent of women in Bulawayo reported consuming alcohol in the month prior to the survey, the highest rate among all provinces. In contrast, Matabeleland North recorded the lowest rate, with just 4…
Read MoreBEN, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Valio Launch AI Mental Health Program to Support Underserved Students in South Africa
By Staff Reporter Mental health is an urgent concern for students across South Africa, especially in underserved communities with limited access to care. To help close this gap, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Valio Technologies, and Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (NASDAQ: BNAI) are launching an inclusive, AI-powered mental health program that offers private, 24/7 support. The initiative starts with UKZN students and will help shape how mental health support is expanded across the region. AI is now playing a vital role in improving access to mental health support,” said Paul Chang, CEO of…
Read MoreZimbabwe NCDs Champions Network Hails NAC’s Kidney Care Support
By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe NCDs Champions Network (ZNCN) has commended the National AIDS Council (NAC) for prioritizing kidney health care for people living with HIV (PLHIV). The Network lauded the move, describing it as a potential game-changer in improving healthcare outcomes for individuals managing the complexities of comorbidities. Decentralizing this model to all provinces will be a watershed moment in promoting health equity, particularly amid concurrent epidemics and pandemics. The Zimbabwe NCDs Champions Network recognizes the dire consequences of these intersecting health crises and urges the government to prioritize…
Read MoreGhanaian Pharmacist, Dr. Delese Mimi Darko Appointed Director General of the African Medicines Agency
By Michael Gwarisa Dr. Delese Mimi Darko has been appointed as the new Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA), marking a pivotal step toward strengthening health regulation and ensuring access to quality-assured medicines across Africa. With nearly three decades of experience in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, she brings deep expertise and a proven track record in medicine safety, regulation, and international collaboration. Beginning her career as a pharmacist, Dr. Darko later earned a Master’s in Business Administration. Her regulatory journey has spanned 28 years, during which she…
Read MoreZimbabwe’s NAC Boosts Lifesaving Kidney Care for People Living with HIV
By Michael Gwarisa In a landmark move, the National AIDS Council (NAC) has stepped in to support Zimbabwe’s growing renal care burden, particularly for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), by funding essential dialysis services at Parirenyatwa Hospital. The intervention comes amid growing concern about the hidden epidemic of kidney failure among people on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). While ART has significantly extended lives, long-term use is now linked with a sharp rise in chronic kidney disease. At the heart of the initiative is the recognition that PLHIV, often overlooked in…
Read MoreWCoZ Launches Women with Disabilities Forum
By Michael Gwarisa In a landmark stride toward inclusivity and gender equality, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has officially launched the Women with Disabilities Forum—a transformative platform aimed at amplifying the voices and rights of women and girls with disabilities across Zimbabwe. Presiding over the launch, WCoZ National Coordinating Committee (NCC) Chairperson, Muchanyara Cynthia Mukamuri, hailed the occasion as a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights and full participation of all women, regardless of physical ability. This launch is not just a ceremonial event,” Mukamuri said. “It’s…
Read MoreA 75-Seater Bus of Newborns Crashes Every 12 Hours in Zimbabwe. We Must Hit the Brakes
By Michael Gwarisa Every twelve hours in Zimbabwe, an unimaginable tragedy unfolds. A fully loaded 75-seater bus carrying newborn babies crashes, leaving no survivors. The nation would demand answers, declare emergencies, and mobilize every resource to prevent another disaster. Yet this exact horror plays out in silence daily. According to the 2023-24 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, 18,500 newborns die each year before reaching 28 days of life. This translates to a neonatal mortality rate of 37 deaths per 1,000 live births. When we include stillbirths and deaths in the…
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