Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

World Vision Zimbabwe Launches ENOUGH Campaign to Tackle Child Hunger

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to combat child hunger and improve health and learning outcomes, World Vision Zimbabwe has launched the ENOUGH Campaign, set to reach approximately 2.5 million children across the country’s 10 provinces. Launched globally in 2024, the campaign is a call to action for governments, organizations, and communities to unite in ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food and a healthier future. Zimbabwe, like many other countries, continues to face high levels of food insecurity, exacerbated by climate shocks such as droughts, economic challenges,…

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New PEPFAR Waiver Scraps Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Program

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has removed Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programs from its list of HIV prevention and care initiatives set to benefit under the Life-Saving HIV Care and Prevention Services limited waiver. The 90-day limited waiver, which permits the continuation of critical HIV care, treatment, and prevention services, comes amid concerns over service disruptions following the temporary suspension of U.S. foreign assistance. However, some programs have been excluded from the waiver, raising uncertainty among health analysts regarding their resumption even…

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Dr. Agnes Mahomva Enters Race for AU Commissioner Role

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Harare, Zimbabwe – Dr. Agnes Mahomva, Zimbabwe’s renowned public health expert and policy strategist has officially announced her candidacy for the position of Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development at the African Union (AU). With over three decades of experience in public health leadership, she aims to bring transformative solutions to Africa’s pressing healthcare and social challenges. Dr. Mahomva’s campaign is anchored on the principles of strengthening health systems, ensuring universal health coverage, improving humanitarian response, promoting social inclusion, and fostering innovation. She envisions an…

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Repeated Oral Polio Vaccinations Safe, Crucial for Outbreak Response – MoHCC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amid growing concerns from parents and guardians over the frequent administration of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has assured the public that the vaccine is safe and necessary to halt transmission. Zimbabwe’s environmental surveillance detected a vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) strain circulating in sewage systems in Harare’s high-density suburbs, Budiriro, Mbare, and Mufakose, in 2023. In response, the Ministry has been conducting multiple rounds of vaccination campaigns targeting children under the age of 10. From February 4 to…

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Zimbabwe to Expand Electronic Health Records to 500 More Facilities in 2025

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The rollout of the Impilo Electronic Health Records (EHR) system has gained momentum, with 500 more health facilities set to adopt the technology in 2025. These new deployments will add to the 1,197 health facilities across Zimbabwe that have already implemented the system since the project’s commencement in 2021. Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Permanent Secretary, said the expansion will prioritize high-volume health facilities and strategically located sites. Cumulatively, 1,197 facilities have been equipped with…

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Majority of Deaths in Zimbabwe’s Rural Communities Go Unregistered

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa While 70% of deaths in Zimbabwe occur in rural communities, nearly half of those deaths are not registered with the Civil Registry Department. Although Zimbabwean law mandates compulsory death registration, compliance in rural areas remains low, with many deaths going unrecorded. This has raised concerns about the accuracy of national demographic data, affecting population projections, disease surveillance, epidemic tracking, and mortality pattern analysis. Letisia Zengeya, Assistant Registrar General for Births and Deaths, attributed the low death registration rates to the inaccessibility of registration centers and a lack…

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#EpidemiologyUpdate: Zimbabwe Records Four Suspected Measles Cases

Michael Gwarisa

According to the Ministry of Health’s weekly disease surveillance report for the week ending January 19, 2025, four new suspected measles cases were recorded across three provinces. The cases were distributed as follows: one in Mashonaland West, one in Mashonaland East, and two in Harare Metropolitan Province. This brings the cumulative number of suspected measles cases to 12 since the beginning of the year, with no reported deaths. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and encourage vaccination as the most effective preventive measure against measles outbreaks. The Ministry…

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Zimbabwe Slashes Import Tariffs on E-Cigarettes

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Harare, Zimbabwe – The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, has introduced significant amendments to the customs and excise tariffs on electronic cigarettes and related devices. The changes were formalised in Statutory Instrument 11 of 2025 and are part of the government’s broader strategy to boost revenue through sin taxes on products deemed harmful to public health. The latest adjustment reduces the duty on e-cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporizing devices from the previous rate of USD 0.5 per milliliter/unit to USD 0.1 per milliliter/unit.…

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Delayed Maternal Care in Rural Zimbabwe Leading to Preventable Deaths

Michael Gwarisa
Young Preganant Women

By Michael Gwarisa Most women in Zimbabwe who die during childbirth do so due to delays in receiving appropriate and adequate care at health facilities. Also known in medical terms as the “Third Delay,” this delay in accessing care is the leading cause of maternal mortality in rural areas. Speaking at a recent meeting in Harare, Dr. Chipo Chimamise, the National Maternal Health Officer in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) emphasized that poor-quality maternal care remains the primary driver of high maternal deaths in Zimbabwe. 95% of…

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KidzCan Launches Orange Month to Fight Childhood Cancer

Michael Gwarisa

KidzCan Zimbabwe has launched Orange Month, a nationwide campaign aimed at raising awareness and support for children battling cancer. Held every February, Orange Month seeks to highlight the challenges faced by children with cancer and mobilize communities to take action in providing medical and emotional support. KidzCan emphasized the importance of early detection and access to treatment. “Childhood cancer is treatable if detected early, and through Orange Month, we want to spread this message while also rallying support for affected families,” they said. The campaign will feature a series of…

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