Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Zim Parliament Passes Major Amendments to Abortion Law

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The National Assembly has approved significant amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] (1977), marking a major step toward modernising Zimbabwe’s reproductive health laws. The changes were introduced under the Medical Services Bill, 2025, and are aimed at aligning the outdated 1977 legislation with the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) and current public health realities. The amendments, introduced by Hon. Edwin Mushoriwa of Dzivaresekwa Constituency, were passed in the National Assembly on 23 October 2025. The Bill now moves to the Senate for consideration before being…

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Africa CDC Strengthens Mpox Response through Additional Vaccine Support from Bavarian Nordic

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter Africa CDC has received an additional donation of 110,000 doses of mpox vaccines from Bavarian Nordic to support the ongoing response to the mpox outbreak across the continent. The vaccines have been allocated to Uganda, one of the countries most affected in 2025, through the Mpox Access and Allocation Mechanism (AAM), coordinated by Africa CDC in collaboration with key global health partners. This contribution significantly increases vaccine availability in Uganda and strengthens the continent’s ability to respond swiftly and equitably to ongoing outbreaks. H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, said: “Africa…

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NAC Hands Over Blood and Renal Units to Parirenyatwa Hospital

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The National AIDS Council (NAC) has officially handed over two critical health projects, a Family Blood Bank and a Renal Diagnostic Unit, to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in a move set to boost the quality of healthcare services in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, NAC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bernard Madzima said the new facilities represent NAC’s commitment to strengthening the country’s health system beyond the HIV and AIDS response. We are gathered here to…

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Zambia launches malaria vaccine to protect over half a million children

Michael Gwarisa

Lusaka – The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Health, today officially launched the malaria vaccine (R21/Matrix-M) as part of its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), marking a historic milestone in the country’s fight against malaria. Over 500 000 children aged 6‒8 months will be vaccinated in the months following the launch. Malaria remains one of Zambia’s leading causes of illness and death, particularly among children under five years of age. In 2023 alone, malaria incidence among this age group rose to 523 cases per 1000 population, according to the…

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Two Children Die, 14 Others Critically Ill After Suspected Food Poisoning in Mashava

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Two children have died while 14 others, including seven adults and four children, are battling for their lives following a suspected case of food poisoning in Mashava, Masvingo Province. According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the victims reportedly fell ill after eating food and drinking mahewu during a traditional beer ceremony held on October 27, 2025. The deceased minors were aged three and seven. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a sad incident where two children died while 14 others, who include…

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WHO, Africa CDC Commence Countdown to Declare DRC Ebola-Free

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban Just over a month since the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared an Ebola outbreak, African health authorities say the situation is now under control, and the outbreak could soon be declared over. On September 4, 2025, the DRC Ministry of Public Health announced an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Kasai Province. The index case was a 32-year-old pregnant woman from Bulape Health Zone in Kasai. Since then, 53 confirmed cases have been reported from 923 samples collected, with 34 confirmed deaths. However,…

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Global Fund Appeals for Support Ahead of 8th Replenishment, Calls for African Ownership of HIV Programs

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban The Global Fund last night took to the platform at the ongoing 4th CPHIA Conference in Durban, South Africa, to call for support towards the 8th Replenishment, aimed at strengthening HIV programs amid shrinking donor support. The Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment is a campaign launched in 2025 to raise 18 billion US dollars to fight HIV, TB, and malaria between 2027 and 2029. The 8th cycle aims to save 23 million lives, avert 400 million infections, reduce mortality by 64% compared to 2023, and strengthen…

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Scientists Converge in Record Numbers as 2025 CPHIA Opens in Durban

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban, South Africa Registration data show that approximately 800 scientists and researchers from various scientific disciplines had registered for participation by the opening day of the 2025 Conference for Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) in Durban, South Africa. The conference runs from October 22 to 25, 2025 under the theme “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa.” It is aimed at deliberating on numerous issues affecting healthcare. Officiating at the opening ceremony of the 4th CPHIA, South Africa’s Deputy Minister…

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Cancer: The Grim Reaper Killing Zimbabwean Female Journalists

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa At just 28, in 2017, Daily News journalist Sharon Muguwu succumbed to leukemia. I remember meeting Sharon back in 2016. Despite her frail frame and tired eyes, she still spoke softly but with courage. “Ndanga ndichirwara Mike,” she said when I asked about her health. Not long after that conversation, heartbreaking news of her passing spread across the media fraternity, leaving us shattered. Even today, the pain lingers. Eight years after Sharon’s death, Zimbabwe’s media industry continues to lose some of its brightest talents to the same…

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Zimbabwe’s Nutrition Advocacy and Parliamentary Engagement Project Gains Traction

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to enhance nutrition advocacy and strengthen policymaker engagement on child nutrition and development, Zimbabwe has launched a network of nutrition champions, an initiative that is now gaining momentum and driving greater collaboration across sectors. The programme is being implemented by the Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), with financial and technical support from UNICEF, in collaboration with key government ministries and departments. The launch followed a recent report by the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC), which revealed that stunting remains a…

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