Michael Gwarisa |

From NAC Media Tour to University: How a HealthTimes Article Opened University Doors for Karoi Girl

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Sometimes, all it takes for a destiny helper to find you is being at the right place at the right time. For Cecilia Mhande (20), from Karoi in Mashonaland West Province, it took her willingness to share her story as a beneficiary of the Sista2Sista program with journalists during the 2024 National AIDS Council (NAC) Editors Media Tour. In 2023, when the Advanced Level (A Level) results were announced, Cecilia was overjoyed to discover she had passed with 11 points. However, her happiness was short-lived, as the…

WHO Urges United States to Reconsider Withdrawal

January 21, 2025January 21, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following United States President Donald Trump’s recent signing of an executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), the global health body has appealed to the US to rethink this decision. In a statement posted on its official Twitter (X) account, WHO expressed regret over the announcement, stating, “We hope the United States will reconsider, and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions…

Diseases Linked to Wearing Second-Hand Clothes (Mabhero)

January 21, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In Zimbabwe, second-hand clothes, locally known as mabhero, have become a popular choice for many due to several reasons. For some, it’s the affordability compared to buying brand-new garments. For others, it’s the allure of vintage fashion, pre-worn items that carry a unique, weathered charm. Major second-hand clothing hubs in Zimbabwe include Sakubva Market in Mutare, as well as Mupedzanhamo and Avondale Markets in Harare. These markets are so popular that even undergarments, such as high-end brands like Victoria’s Secret, are highly sought after by shoppers, especially…

Zimbabwe Records 90 Days Without Mpox

January 17, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is among the few African countries that have not recorded any new Mpox cases in the past three months, a top official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said. In October 2024, Zimbabwe reported its first cases of Mpox, two months after the Africa CDC declared Mpox a public health emergency of continental concern. However, recent data indicates that Zimbabwe has not recorded any confirmed cases during the past 90 days. Eight countries are now in the control phase, four…

Zimbabwe Gains Ground in Cholera Battle

January 17, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa As 2025 began with a surge in cholera cases, particularly in Mazowe’s Glendale area and Kariba, recent developments indicate that the outbreak is now under control due to swift interventions by the government and its partners. The current cholera outbreak started on November 24, 2024, in Gachegache, Kariba district. Cases have since been reported in the Glendale area of Mazowe district, with sporadic instances in Chiredzi, Chipinge, Bikita, Bindura, Shamva, and Kadoma. However, sustained community transmission did not follow these isolated cases. The number of new daily…

Zimbabwe Records Over 600 Dog Bites in One Week

January 16, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has raised alarm over the increasing number of dog bites, with a significant proportion of these bites attributed to unvaccinated dogs. According to the Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending January 5, 2025, a total of 635 dog bite cases were reported, with no deaths recorded. Of these cases, 141 (22%) involved vaccinated dogs, 118 (18%) involved unvaccinated dogs, and 366 (60%) involved dogs of unknown vaccination status. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Isaac Phiri, the…

Critical Gaps in Vital Monitoring Threaten Care Outcomes In Those Ageing With HIV In Zimbabwe

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa For 21 years, Martha Tholanah (60) has lived with HIV. She has experienced it all, from the days when an HIV diagnosis was a death sentence to today, when people living with HIV can lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Testing positive on January 3, 2003, Martha recalls her heartbreak when health workers informed her that her CD4 count was below 200. I had fallen sick and had to get tested. I had also just been accepted for a new job, so I needed to know where I stood.…

Meet Dr. Dhodho: The Once Sickly Village Boy Who Transformed Rural Zimbabwe’s HIV Response

January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa He wears many hats. Dr. Efison Dhodho is currently the Knowledge Manager for the Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians, a dedicated researcher, and the Director for Strategic Information, Evaluation, Learning, and Information Technology Systems at the Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID). Born into a family of 13 as the fifth child, Dr. Dhodho recalls how his fragile health as a child necessitated moving to live with his mother, a rural nurse in Mwenezi District, while his siblings stayed with their father, a teacher.…

Renowned Health Journalist Rumbidzai Zinyuke Appointed to National AIDS Council Board

January 10, 2025January 10, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Seasoned health journalist and the current senior health reporter at The Herald, Rumbidzai Zinyuke, has been appointed to the National AIDS Council (NAC) board. Zinyuke will represent the media on the board, bringing her expertise to the national fight against HIV and AIDS. Commenting on her appointment, Zinyuke said, “I am honored to be appointed as a board member representing the media on the National AIDS Council board. The media plays a critical role in the fight against HIV and AIDS, not only in raising awareness about…

Zimbabwe Nurses Council Warns Employers of Fake Certificates of Good Standing

January 9, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has urged global employers to verify the authenticity of Certificates of Good Standing (CGS) issued to nurses from Zimbabwe. This follows a surge in the circulation of fake documents by unscrupulous organizations. A Certificate of Good Standing is a legal document verifying a nurse’s professional reputation and good behavior within the community. It has become one of the most sought-after documents in Zimbabwe, as it significantly enhances a nurse’s chances of securing employment in the international market. Mr. Benjamin Maheya, Registrar…