Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Ghana To Host ICASA 2025

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) is delighted to announce that Ghana has been selected as the host country for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), which will take place in from 3rd to 8th December 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This prestigious event will convene global leaders, community, researchers, advocates, and healthcare professionals to further the continent’s fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, Hepatitis, Malaria, TB, emerging viral infections and strengthening Africa’s Health systems. Since its inception…

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Zimbabwe’s Sibongile Mlambo Appointed as Rotary’s Celebrity Ambassador to Promote Global Health and Peace

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter EVANSTON, Ill., USA (October  6th , 2024) – Rotary International today launched its celebrity ambassador program, welcoming Kat Graham, for many years Rotary’s first ambassador and Archie Panjabi, Rotary’s first ambassador for a polio-free world. Sibongile Mlambo and Gaby Moreno are Rotary’s inaugural members for 2024-2025. Rotary brings together people of action from all continents and cultures who deliver real, long-term solutions to the world’s most persistent issues. Together with its celebrity ambassadors, Rotary aims to engage new leaders and change-makers from around the globe who can…

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WHO adds an HPV vaccine for single-dose use

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter WHO announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin® has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule. The decision is made based on new data on the product that fulfilled the criteria set out in the WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules. This important milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines—allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer. Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to eliminate…

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Media A Key Stakeholders In Communicating SDGs Progress

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to localise Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Zimbabwean government through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare through support from the UNDP Zimbabwe office, has embarked on efforts to capacitate local Journalists on reporting on the SDGs. In his opening remarks, Public Service permanent secretary, Mr Simon Masanga said capacitating media was crucial in communicating the SDGs message. The role of media in shaping public discourse and driving engagement around sustainable development issues cannot be overstated,” said Mr Masanga. He added…

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Tshiamiso Trust Seeks Zimbabwean Service Providers To Expand Silicosis and TB Compensation

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Tshiamiso Trust, established to provide compensation to former mineworkers suffering permanent lung impairment from silicosis or work-related TB, is seeking qualified service providers in Zimbabwe to assist claimants in the country. Following productive discussions with the Zimbabwean government, the Tshiamiso Trust is poised to begin processing compensation claims for ex-Wenela mineworkers. A memorandum of  nderstanding (MOU) has been extensively discussed, with a final draft currently under review and expected to be signed soon, paving the way for these claims to be processed. Tshiamiso Trust CEO, Dr…

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Silencing the Abused: Mbire Villagers Sweep Girls Sexual Abuse Cases Under the Rug

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Mbire It’s an early Friday morning, and villagers from communities surrounding Mushumbi Pools growth point in Mbire, troop to Mushumbi High School, where several partners are offering Gender Based Violence (GBV) services under a Mobile One Stop Centre setup. Over 100 women and girls arrived at the venue by 9:00 am. However, one can’t help but notice the visibly young children with babies strapped on their backs. At first glance, one might be tempted to assume the girls are probably ferrying their siblings and probably waiting…

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Mobile One-Stop Centre Eases Referral Pathway Hurdles for Mbire GBV Survivors

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Mbire At the height of COVID-19 in 2021, when she was only 17 and about to sit for her ordinary-level examinations, Tracy Mushonga (not her real name) from Nyakatsa B1 Village in Mbire, Mashonaland Central was impregnated. She dropped out of school and went to live with her husband. A few months into her marriage, Tracey realised all was not rosy as her husband would physically abuse her daily. Between the period 2020 and 2021 when the world was on lockdown due to COVID-19, Mashonaland Central…

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IFC and OCP Group Launch Project to Address Water Shortage in Morocco and Food Insecurity in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter To increase the supply of sustainable water for fertilizer production, farmers and households in Morocco, IFC today announced a €100 million loan (about US$108 million) to OCP Group, the world leader in plant nutrition solutions and phosphate-based fertilizers. The loan will support the construction of a 219-kilometer water pipeline and pumping station to transport desalinated water from OCP Group’s existing and planned desalination plants in Jorf Lasfar on the Atlantic Ocean to the company’s production operations in Khouribga in central Morocco. Construction is already well-advanced and, when…

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Ward-Based Mass Drug Administration Sets Zimbabwe On Elephantiasis Elimination Trajectory

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Gwanda Approximately 48 Kilometres outside Gwanda town in Sifanjani Village, 68-year-old Reuben Sibanda sits amongst his fellow village men and women under a giant Baobab tree. They all listen attentively to the health worker educating them about Lymphatic Filariasis also known as Elephantiasis and why they should partake in the ongoing Mass Drug Administration (MDA) underway in Gwanda and Seven other districts across the country. It’s an unusual sight under the big Baobab tree as men of all ages, who in most circles, are regarded as…

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CPHIA 2024 Edition Postponed Due to Mpox

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced the postponement of the 2024 Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), which was originally set to take place in Morocco from 26 to 29 November 2024. In a statement, Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC Director General said the decision had to be made to protect people from infection. This difficult but necessary decision was made following consultations between H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, and Professor Khalid Aït Taleb, Morocco’s…

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