Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Raped at a Funeral: Chinhoyi Woman Battles Post-Traumatic Mental Health Episodes

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Sometimes she slams doors, shatters furniture, and shouts at anyone nearby. But she wasn’t always like this. Barbra Cullinan (42) of Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, now lives in perpetual fear of men, their presence a constant reminder of the horrific ordeal she endured on November 26, 2022, during the month of her birthday. On that fateful day, Barbra attended a funeral to pay her last respects to a close relative. Unbeknownst to her, a man she knew had sinister intentions. Amid the grief and mourning, he saw an…

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Zimbabwe Medical Doctor Launches ColpoPen, An AI Tool To Screen Cervical Cancer

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe continues to lose over 1,000 women to cervical cancer annually, with data showing that an estimated 3,043 women are diagnosed with the disease each year. Despite this grim reality, access to screening services for women in Zimbabwe remains a challenge due to a myriad of factors, including lack of knowledge and awareness, inaccessible health services, the pain and discomfort of pelvic examinations, and societal stigma and discrimination. To boost cervical cancer screening, the government has introduced various interventions, including the use of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA…

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Health Ministry Warns Public Against Nurse Recruitment Scam

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued a stern warning to the public regarding fraudulent individuals posing as facilitators for nurse recruitment in Zimbabwe. According to the Ministry, scammers are exploiting aspiring nursing candidates by falsely claiming to secure their placements at various hospitals for a fee. The fraudulent scheme is reportedly being orchestrated by individuals using the names “Sister Madya” from the Outpatient Department (OPD) and “Dr. Madyira.” These individuals have been circulating a WhatsApp number (0773815136), alleging that they can assist potential candidates…

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Sensational Media Reports on ARVs Could Trigger Shortages, Warns Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, has assured the nation that there is no crisis regarding the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and that there is no need for panic. His statement comes amid growing anxiety among people living with HIV, some of whom have been approaching health facilities seeking refills beyond the stipulated three or six months. This follows the withdrawal of U.S. government health funding, which has supported HIV programs in Zimbabwe for years. Speaking at…

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My Age Joins the IPPF Family: A New Chapter for Sexual and Reproductive Health for Young People in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  In a major step forward for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy in Zimbabwe, My Age Zimbabwe has officially become a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). This milestone solidifies the organization’s role in championing youth-centered SRHR initiatives and expanding access to essential health services. After joining IPPF as a collaborative partner in 2023, My Age has now assumed full member status in 2025. This development places the youth-led organization within a global network of SRHR-focused associations working towards a common goal: ensuring…

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13 Zim Private Doctors & Health Facilities Blacklisted For HealthCare Fraud

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is witnessing a sharp rise in healthcare fraud, particularly within the private healthcare sector, with an estimated 1,577 cases reported in 2024, the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) has revealed. As a result, 13 service providers and medical doctors have been blacklisted, rendering them ineligible to offer services under medical aid schemes. AHFoZ Board Chairman Stanford Sisya, told HealthTimes that service providers are employing sophisticated methods to bypass systems and inflate claims for services that would otherwise cost less. “Yes, there are institutions and…

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Empowering the Press: How VCAT Trainings Are Equipping Journalists to Demystify Zimbabwe’s Abortion Laws

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Value Clarification and Attitudes Transformation (VCAT) training is a powerful tool that can help strengthen advocacy for abortion rights in Zimbabwe. By engaging journalists in critical discussions about the legal, cultural, and religious frameworks surrounding abortion, VCAT equips media professionals with the knowledge and sensitivity needed to report on the subject effectively. Zimbabwe’s Termination of Pregnancy Act (ToP) of 1977 is restrictive, allowing abortion only in specific circumstances, and many journalists have historically lacked the understanding to cover the topic accurately and sensitively. This knowledge gap…

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CodeBaby Partners with the Society of Jesus to Revolutionize Healthcare Access in the Dominican Republic

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Milwaukee, WI — [March 26, 2025] — CodeBaby, a leader in conversational AI and digital avatars, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) to enhance healthcare delivery in the Dominican Republic. PrimarAIcare introduces state-of-the-art healthcare avatars designed to bridge the communication gap between patients and physicians in remote locations, significantly expediting access to medical care. This innovative project will deploy digital avatars across 160 remote sites, providing communities with an efficient and reliable means to communicate patient symptoms, medical history, and vital signs electronically.…

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Zimbabwe Commissions Polio Laboratory to Strengthen Surveillance

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has commissioned a newly renovated polio laboratory to enhance the analysis of polio samples collected through environmental surveillance (ES), a move set to significantly reduce turnaround time for results. Previously, Zimbabwe faced delays of up to 21 days as samples were sent to neighboring South Africa for testing. The new facility, established with financial and technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is equipped with state-of-the-art testing technology and staffed by highly trained personnel. Commissioning the laboratory at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, Dr. Raiva Simbi,…

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CheckUp Health’s AI-Powered Healthcare Innovation Earns International Recognition

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  CheckUp Health, a pioneering AI-powered healthcare platform founded by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Fungai Ndemera, has gained international acclaim after being shortlisted as a finalist in two categories at the prestigious Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025 in the UK. The nominations—Delivering Innovation into Health and Care and Advances in Digital Healthcare—underscore CheckUp Health’s commitment to transforming primary healthcare through cutting-edge digital solutions. With a mission to improve healthcare accessibility and efficiency, CheckUp Health has made significant strides in digital health innovation. The platform, which has been successfully implemented in…

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