Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Glendale’s Failing Sewer and Water Systems Spark Deadly Cholera Outbreak

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In Glendale, mornings are no longer a time of fresh beginnings. Instead, residents wake to an unbearable reality, human excreta strewn across their doorsteps. Burst sewer pipes, left unrepaired for months, spew waste into the streets, forcing entire neighborhoods to navigate pools of sludge. The stench of decaying matter clings stubbornly to the air, invading homes and harassing nostrils with every breath. Among those most affected is the Nyirongo family residing in the Highway section of Glendale, whose ordeal serves as a chilling reminder of the public…

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Cancer Association of Zimbabwe Warns Against Oral Sex-Linked Cancer Risks

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) has cautioned young people against engaging in risky oral sex, warning that it increases the risk of transmitting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) just like any unprotected sex activity, which causes cancer. This warning comes in the wake of research by global oncologists showing a rise in oral cancers linked to oral sex, particularly among individuals with multiple sexual partners in the United Kingdom and the United States. Since the mid-2000s, cases of oropharyngeal cancer, a specific type of oral cancer, have…

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Zimbabwean Government Urged to Be Proactive Amid Rising HMPV Cases in China

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following a surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in northern China, one of Zimbabwe’s leading public health experts has warned against complacency and urged the government to implement preventive measures promptly. Concerns are mounting as many draw parallels between the current HMPV outbreak and the early, grim days of COVID-19. Social media footage has shown overwhelmed medical facilities in China, with parents holding sick children in long queues outside pediatric care units, even late into the night.   Speaking to HealthTimes, Community Working Group on Health (CWGH)…

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Zimbabwe’s Women Miners Face Deadly Risks from Mercury and Hazardous Chemicals

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining (ZAWIMA) has raised alarm over significant health and safety risks in the mining sector, where women are handling hazardous chemicals, such as mercury, without proper training or protective measures. Mercury is a shiny liquid metal that attacks the nervous system. Exposure can result in life-long disability, and is particularly harmful to children. In higher doses, mercury can kill. Its largest use globally is in small-scale gold mining. In Zimbabwe, women’s contact with mercury is highly prevalent in artisanal  mining where…

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2025 National Budget Not Gender Responsive – WCoZ

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has criticized the 2025 National Budget for neglecting the unique health needs of women in Zimbabwe, accusing it of failing to adopt a gender-responsive approach. Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) integrates gender considerations into budgeting processes to ensure that policies, interventions, and resources address the distinct needs of women, men, and gender-diverse individuals. However, the 2025 budget fell short, with allocations failing to prioritize critical issues in women’s health. Data from the budget indicates that Family Health, which includes family planning, sexual and…

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CSOs Engage Parliamentarians in Post-Budget Dialogue on Healthcare Financing

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amidst growing concerns over Zimbabwe’s healthcare funding shortfalls, civil society organizations (CSOs) recently convened a post-budget dialogue with Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Health, Budget and Finance, Women Affairs, and the Thematic Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, hosted by Youth Gate, SAfAIDS, and the Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Alliance, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the Ministry of Finance, the National AIDS Council (NAC), and the National Family Planning Council. Speaking during the meeting, Honourable…

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Multi-Stakeholder Meeting Targets Documentation Gaps Blocking Women’s Access to Healthcare

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa To address persistent challenges related to access to documentation and healthcare for women and girls, the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), in collaboration with the Alliance for Community-Based Organizations (ACBOS), hosted a one-day Multi-Stakeholder Engagement meeting in Harare. The meeting convened key stakeholders and community representatives from regions where access to documentation remains a significant hurdle. Women in rural and mining communities, particularly in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West provinces, face compounded challenges stemming from inadequate access to proper identification documents. These include birth certificates, national…

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Zimbabwe Sex Workers Resort to Baby Socks Amid Condom Shortages In Communities

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Sex workers in Zimbabwe claim they have resorted to using unconventional methods, including baby socks, as contraceptives due to condom shortages in some communities. While the government denies any national shortage, localized supply issues have been reported. These shortages are attributed to several factors, including delayed restocking by health facilities, hoarding by some sex workers, and healthcare workers allegedly misappropriating condoms. Communities such as Epworth, Mutare, Masvingo, Harare, and Seke have been particularly affected, with sex workers raising alarms about the dire situation. Speaking to HealthTimes, Precious…

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Zimbabwe’s Civil Society Pushes for Establishment of One-Stop Centre for Safe Abortion

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Advocates for safe abortion in Zimbabwe, comprising the Health Law Policy Consortium (HLPC) and the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), with support from the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), are lobbying for the establishment of a One-Stop Centre for safe abortion services. The initiative aims to address obstacles faced by women and girls in accessing abortion services. Currently, abortion in Zimbabwe is permitted under the Termination of Pregnancy Act (Chapter 15:10), enacted in 1977. The Act allows abortion in specific circumstances, including when continuing a pregnancy…

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Alcon Celebrates One Year of Advancing Eye Care Through its Phaco Development Program in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent. According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from…

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