Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Strengthening Nutrition Information Systems Vital for NDS-2 Success

Michael Gwarisa

By Blessing V. Bonga There is a critical need to revamp the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC)’s information system in order to continue extracting ground truth in information to inform National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2) on the basis of evidence and household dynamics in a bid to arrest all forms of malnutrition, a senior Council official has said. Speaking on the sidelines of FNC’s 4th Annual General Meeting held in Harare on Tuesday, Council Director General, Dr George Kembo said his organisation is worried about malnutrition and called for a…

Read More

Africa CDC Urges Media to Champion Health Security at Journalist Workshop in Addis Ababa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has urged African journalists to play a more active role in combating disease outbreaks and the growing threat of health misinformation, as the second continental media roundtable workshop opened today in Addis Ababa. In his opening remarks, Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General of Africa CDC, highlighted the media’s unique ability to influence public perception and promote accurate health information across the continent. You shape narratives, fight misinformation, and connect institutions like Africa…

Read More

Womandla Foundation Champions Girls’ Empowerment in Midlands Province

Michael Gwarisa

By HealthTimes Reporter In the heart of Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province, the Womandla Foundation is transforming the lives of adolescent girls through a powerful blend of mentorship, education, and empowerment. In partnership with the Graça Machel Trust’s Pan African Adolescent Girls Movement, Womandla is working toward an ambitious target — to reach 10,000 adolescent girls by 2026, keeping them in school and equipping them for the future. At the core of this initiative are the Pasipemuti Talks, interactive sessions where girls engage on crucial topics such as sexual and reproductive health…

Read More

Tsitsi Masiyiwa Leads Launch of $500 Million Fund to Save Newborn Lives Across Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a monumental step toward improving maternal and newborn health in Africa, Tsitsi Masiyiwa has led the launch of the Beginnings Fund, a $500 million initiative aimed at saving the lives of newborns and their mothers across sub-Saharan Africa. Announced by her husband, billionaire philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, the fund was borne out of a heartbreaking story shared on a Zoom call—about a woman who lost her triplets in a hospital. The grief sparked a powerful response from Tsitsi and her global partners, turning sorrow into a force…

Read More

CABS, TM Pick n Pay and Cancer Association of Zimbabwe Launch Free Cancer Screening Campaign

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Cancer remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Zimbabwe, with cervical and breast cancers leading the burden among women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Zimbabwean women, with an estimated 1,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Breast cancer continues to be a major contributor to cancer-related deaths — highlighting the urgent need for early detection and access to care. In response to this growing concern, CABS, in partnership with TM Pick n Pay and the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe…

Read More

HPA Issues Warning Over Surge in Illegal Rehabilitation Centres

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter At a time when drug and substance abuse alongside other mental health issues are on the rise in Zimbabwe, the Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPAZ) has warned the public about the mushrooming of illegal medical rehabilitation centres operating across the country, calling the trend a serious threat to public health and safety. HPAZ secretary general Clotilda Chimbwana in a statement, said they are gravely concerned over the proliferation of unregistered facilities offering services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy—often without the…

Read More

Zimbos Abantu Unveils Mobile Clinics to Serve Marginalized Communities in Harare

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere Zimbos Abantu, a social enterprise dedicated to delivering medical services to underserved areas in Harare, has launched a fleet of mobile clinics to be deployed across the city. Staffed by nurses, nursing assistants, and doctors, the mobile clinics will provide essential health screenings, including checks for blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV, among other services. This initiative comes at a critical time, as central hospitals are increasingly overwhelmed by patients presenting with advanced stages of disease due to delayed care. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health…

Read More

Research Reveals How Daily Driving Could Be Saving You From Dementia

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Your car keys might actually be the key to maintaining your memory as you age. That’s according to health expert Dr. Steve Burgess, who has highlighted research linking a common daily habit—driving—with a significantly lower risk of dementia. “Most people have no idea that something they do every day could be protecting their brain,” says Dr. Burgess, CEO and founder of CME Vacations, a company that organizes continuing medical education conferences for healthcare professionals. The surprising finding? Regularly driving a car may help preserve cognitive function and…

Read More

ZINA Urges Immediate Action on Nurses’ Welfare as Zimbabwe Commemorates Workers’ Day

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter As Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Workers’ Day on May 1st, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has issued a passionate plea for urgent interventions to improve the welfare of nurses across the country. In a statement marking the occasion, ZINA acknowledged the critical role nurses play in maintaining the nation’s healthcare system, often under strenuous and demoralizing conditions. The association highlighted that despite their indispensable service, many nurses continue to grapple with poor remuneration, substandard working conditions, and stalled labour negotiations. This…

Read More

CWGH Urges Government to Prioritise Health Workforce and Primary Care on Workers’ Day

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Workers’ Day, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has called on the government to urgently address the deteriorating state of the health sector, particularly the plight of health workers and the country’s neglected primary health care (PHC) system. In a statement released to mark Workers’ Day 2025, CWGH Executive Director Mr. Itai Rusike expressed solidarity with Zimbabwean workers across all sectors, including those in the informal economy, while calling for bold reforms in the health…

Read More