Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

NatPharm boss jailed for inflating drug prices

Michael Gwarisa

NATIONAL Pharmaceuticals (NatPharm) managing director Newman Madzikwa was yesterday jailed for an effective 14 months after he was found guilty of criminal abuse of office in relation to the arbitrary increase of drug prices. SOURCE: The Herald The price increases, with the effect of precipitating a crisis in the sector and endangering public health, were against the directive of the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the NatPharm board. Harare regional magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya initially sentenced Madzikwa to 20 months in jail before suspending six months for five…

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Scrap Cervical Cancer User Fees for Women Living with HIV- Gvt told

Michael Gwarisa

CIVIL Society Organisations (CSOs), representing women living with HIV have called on government to scrap user fees for cervical cancer treatment since the disease is most prevalent in women living with HIV than other groups. By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru According to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer affects not less than 30 percent of women in the country. Cervical cancer is caused by the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV). Speaking in a panel discussion during the just ended Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) workshop in Gweru…

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Deaf Zim Trust In Comprehensive Youth SRHR Training

Michael Gwarisa

DEAF Zimbabwe Trust (DZT) in conjunction with Mashambanzou Care Trust and Disability HIV and AIDS trust (DHAT), have embarked on a Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) training for youths living with disabilities. By Michael Gwarisa The program also targets non-disabled youths and aims among other things to equip young people with the necessary information regarding sexual reproductive health. Deaf Zimbabwe programs officer, Veronica Mwanza said the program commenced in 2017 and spilled over into 2018 and 2019 respectively. The first phase of the program was in 2017 to 2018…

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Depression: Silent Killer for Young Girls & Women Living With HIV

Michael Gwarisa

PUBERTY is one stage associated with anxiety, joy and stress for young girls transitioning from childhood to adulthood. The hormonal and reproductive changes which include the bulging bust, widening of hips, protruding hindquarters and menstrual flows all just come too fast within a short space of time. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Gweru However, for adolescents and young girls living with HIV, this phase could be traumatic and heart rending in the absence of proper counselling and psychosocial support. Phyliss Mavushe (24), a young person living with HIV and also…

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NBSZ Honors Outstanding Blood Donors and Corporates

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has awarded blood donors and corporates for their resilience and continued support to the national call of ensuring the blood bank is adequately stocked. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the Blood Donor and Corporates Awards in the capital Harare, NBSZ Board Chairman, Advocate Rodgers Matsikidze applauded the blood donors for their voluntary sacrifice. This occasion is basically an occasion where we are trying to appreciate what I call sacrifice, what I call loyal service, what I call life saving commitment and what I…

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Mnangagwa Donates Blood…As Zim Commemorates World Blood Donor Day

Michael Gwarisa

HARARE South constituency Legislator, Honorable Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa has implored Zimbabweans and other parliamentarians to consider giving blood as a way of giving back to society. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes on the side-lines of the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) commemorations blood drive at the NBSZ Joina City branch, Hon Mnangagwa said giving blood should be prioritised by every responsible citizen as it goes a long way in helping the needy at a time when demand for blood has gone up. “I am giving blood because I want…

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DTG Won’t Be Forced On Citizens- Ministry

Michael Gwarisa

PEOPLE Living With HIV (PLHIV) and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) still have the option to continue taking other ART options apart from Dolutogravir (DTG) based regimens  since the process is not compulsory, a ministry of health and child care (MoHCC) official has said. By Michael Gwarisa in Gweru Zimbabwe commenced its transition process from Tenovir/Lamuvidene/Efavirens to Dolutegravir (DTG) in May 2019, and the transition procedure will be completed by February 2020. Briefing a women living with HIV, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) workshop organised by PAPWC/ZIM,  ZWLHNF and UNAIDS,…

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Unesco Study Reveals Gaps in Condom Uptake and HIV testing In Zim Universities

Michael Gwarisa

A recent study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has revealed that there is still low uptake of condoms and HIV testing services among University Students in Zimbabwe despite the students being highly informed about the risks of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). By Michael Gwarisa The study dubbed the UNESCO HEARD report was produced under the leadership of the UNESCO HIV and Health Education Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr Patricia Machawira and Mr Remmy Shawa. The report indicates that even though there…

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Zim University Clinics Not SRH Youth Friendly

Michael Gwarisa

ON campus health facilities are not youth friendly as they are manned by senior citizens who have negative and judgemental attitudes towards young people, a top gender and women’s rights advocate has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a panel at a Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SHRH) dialogue at the University Of Zimbabwe (UZ), Musasa Project Executive Director, Netty Musanhu said it was high time tertiary institutions adopt a robust approach to the issue of advancing comprehensive SRHR services to University students. “The problem is that when it comes…

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Integrated Nutrition And WASH Project Transforms Binga Fortunes

Michael Gwarisa

NUTRITION is a basic human right and has been identified as the most pertinent and key component in ensuring countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), hence the need for a multisectoral nutrition security approach towards realising nutrition goals for citizens. By Michael Gwarisa in Binga Despite most governments including Zimbabwe having committed to advancing nutrition centered solutions as well as ending malnutrition by the year 2030, more still needs to be done to realise this vision. In Binga, the issue of food insecurity as a result of reoccurring droughts has…

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