Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

UNAIDS Estimates 6.3M AIDS-Related Deaths, 8.7M New Infections from 2025-2029 Amid U.S. Aid Freeze

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Estimates from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) warn of a surge in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths over the next four years if the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) permanently shuts down. The forecast follows the partial suspension of PEPFAR projects and the closure of USAID-funded HIV and AIDS programs worldwide. Responding to a question during a virtual meeting, Mary Mahy, UNAIDS Director of Data for Impact, confirmed that an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths could occur over the next four…

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Zimbabwean Women Urge Government to Uphold Beijing Declaration on Women’s Health

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa As the world marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, women’s rights organizations in Zimbabwe are urging the government to honor its pledge to improve healthcare access for women and girls. This call follows tragic reports that Zimbabwe has lost approximately 54 women to maternal deaths and 299 babies during childbirth since the beginning of 2025. Speaking at a multi-stakeholder meeting in Harare on “Beijing +30: Women and Girls’ Access to Health Services in Zimbabwe,” hosted by the Women’s Coalition…

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African health leaders call for stronger health systems amid shrinking financial support

Michael Gwarisa

 The 6th edition of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025 commenced with a powerful call to action, urging African nations to unite in strengthening health systems amid growing challenges. At the kick-off press briefing, held at the Kigali Convention Centre, global and African health leaders underscored the urgency of tackling pandemics, climate-driven health threats, and declining health aid through homegrown solutions and strategic investments. Jointly convened by Amref Health Africa, the Ministry of Health Rwanda, WHO Regional Office for Africa, and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC),…

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Hypertension Emerges as Leading Killer of Pregnant Women in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A surge in hypertensive disorders during childbirth has led to an increase in maternal deaths across Zimbabwe’s health facilities over the past 60 days, HealthTimes has learned. Data presented by the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Honourable Sleiman Kwidini, during a Parliamentary Question and Answer session yesterday, revealed that Harare recorded the highest number of maternal deaths since the beginning of the year. The maternal deaths from January 2025 to date stand at 54. The leading cause of death was hypertensive disorders and their…

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Minister Mutsvangwa Rallies Women to Regularly Screen for Lifestyle Diseases

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has applauded PSMAS Medical Aid Society for championing a week-long wellness outreach program, where over 200 members have been screened for various lifestyle diseases. The program kicked off on Tuesday, February 24, 2025, and will end on Friday, February 28, 2025. The outreach is being conducted through Premier Lifestyle, a PSMAS wellness program. Speaking on the sidelines of the screening outreach program at the PSMAS Headquarters in Harare, where she also underwent screening for several…

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The United Nations Human Rights Council commends Zimbabwe’s abolition of the Death Penalty

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The United Nations Human Rights Council has commended Zimbabwe for its historic decision to abolish the death penalty, marking a significant milestone in the country’s human rights journey. The announcement was made during a high-level panel discussion at the UN Human Rights Council on February 25, 2025, where Zimbabwe’s Attorney General, Honourable Virginia Mabiza, delivered a landmark address. The discussion, held under the theme The Contribution of the Judiciary to the Advancement of Human Rights and the Question of the Death Penalty, saw Zimbabwe receive widespread recognition…

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Shocking Paternity Test Statistics Reveal Most Fathers Are Raising Non-Biological Children

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  Recent data from Global DNA Zimbabwe has unveiled startling findings regarding paternity testing in the country. According to the latest statistics, a staggering 72% of paternity tests conducted have returned negative results, meaning that in most cases, presumed fathers are not biologically related to the children they are raising. These figures suggest a growing trend of men unknowingly raising children who are not their own, raising critical questions about trust, family dynamics, and the increasing demand for DNA testing services. In an interview with HealthTimes, Partners Chiriseri…

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Delta Corporation Fund Masvingo Province Prisons, Breast, Cervical & Prostate Cancer Education And Screening

Michael Gwarisa

Staff Reporter  This year Delta Corporation provided USD10,000 through the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe for the Masvingo Province prisons, breast, cervical and prostate cancer education and screening. Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with delayed diagnosis often resulting in poor health outcomes. Incarcerated individuals face unique challenges in accessing timely and equitable health care services, including cancer screening. To address the disparity the CAZ offered in partnership with Delta Corporation breast, cervix and prostate cancer education and screening services to the inmates and prisoners at the…

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EMA Strengthens AMR Surveillance with Fleming Fund Support

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife has commended the first phase of the Fleming Fund Grant for supporting the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in strengthening its surveillance and tracking of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Zimbabwe recently launched the second phase of the One Health National Action Plan (2024-2028) alongside the Fleming Fund II Grant. A key focus of this phase is expanding environmental surveillance and monitoring of AMR levels across the country. EMA’s laboratory has been significantly strengthened and now has the capacity to…

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