Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Polygamous Communities Have Lowest HIV Burden In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa HIV estimates in Zimbabwe show that HIV prevalence and the number of new infections in communities that practice polygamy are lower compared to other settings, HealthTimes has learnt. The HIV response in Zimbabwe emphasizes the need for sexually active individuals to have not more than one sexual partner as having multiple concurrent partners increases the risk of HIV infection. Numerous studies have been conducted in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa showing that polygamy was a risk factor for new HIV infections. However, it seems some cultural practices…

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How to Promote Menstrual Cups as an Economic and Sustainable Option

Michael Gwarisa

Researchers investigate consumers’ preferences on menstrual products and devise guidelines to bolster the adoption of menstrual cups in different countries. Although menstrual cups (MCs) are a sustainable alternative to sanitary napkins and tampons, their adoption remains quite limited for reasons that are not entirely clear. Now, in a recent study, an international research team sought to understand consumers’ preferences regarding menstrual products through online surveys. Their efforts reveal that the cost-effectiveness of MCs may be their strongest selling point, and that promotional strategies tailored to each country could make MCs…

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AMR Threatens SDGs Attainment In Africa

Michael Gwarisa
AMR

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows that Africa remains heavily burdened with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) compared to all WHO Regions. Africa also has the highest mortality from AMR despite the region having the lowest prevalence of resistance. In 2015, after realising the need for urgent action to combat the growing scourge of AMR, the World Health Assembly adopted the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. Over the years, AMR has been identified as a leading cause of treatment failure in several morbidities such as HIV tuberculosis…

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Zimbabwe’s Mhuri/Imuli II and SHASHA Projects Get US$25 Million Jab

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Rusape The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched two projects with a combined value of US$25 Million in a bid to improve the lives of mothers, babies, and young women in Zimbabwe. The two projects, Mhuri Imuli II and the Sexual Health Services program (SHASHA) programs will be implemented over the next five years. The Mhuri/Imuli II is set to expand its geographic coverage and strengthen health services for mothers and babies to five provinces namely Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland South, and Mashonaland…

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HIV Status Disclosure during Dating: The Sisyphean Task Facing Young People Living with HIV In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Chinhoyi For 21-year-old Joseph Mwashipe* from Cherima in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, living with HIV as a young person has presented him with a whole set of challenges.  Even though he is studying towards an engineering program, he feels his dating life is currently weighing him down mentally. “Ukangomuudza chete kuti uri HIV positive zvinobva zvadhakwa (The moment I disclose my HIV positive status, the girl disappears from the picture),” says Joseph. “I don’t know whether I should continue disclosing or not because it seems the more…

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CAB-LA Enjoys High Continuity Rates Among PrEP Users In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The recently introduced long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV prevention has seen more users returning to get the second dose post their first jab, with data showing that the injectable drug has recorded a continuity rate over 90% since roll out in April, 2024. Currently, the Injectable PrEP is being administered in PrEP study sites in Harare, Mature and Bulawayo and is targeting mainly groups at high risk of HIV, namely Female Sex Workers (FSW), Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Men who have Sex with other…

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Stop TB Partnership Sensitizes New Parliamentarians On Tuberculosis Advocacy

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Kadoma IN a bid to capacitate new parliamentarians on advocacy issues regarding Tuberculosis (TB), the Stop TB Partnership in Zimbabwe recently held a one day TB orientation meeting with newly elected members of parliament mainly from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee (PPC) on health. The orientation meeting follows the holding of the 2023 harmonized elections in Zimbabwe which ushered in new Members of Parliament (MPs) who now hold key positions. Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes on the side-lines of the orientation meeting Kadoma, Honourable Josiah Makumbe…

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#Breaking: Donors About To Pull The Plug On Condom Funding In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa One of the major funders for HIV and AIDS programs in Zimbabwe, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has notified the Zimbabwean government that it will terminate funding for condom programming within the next 30 months, HealthTimes has learnt. Popularly known as Madhimbare mainly because of their blue and white packaging, public sector condoms serve the biggest number of condom users in Zimbabwe especially those at high risk of HIV infection mainly Female Sex Workers (FSW), Artisanal Miners, Truck Drivers among other HIV key…

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Amid Diaspora Parenting and Child-Headed Families, Comprehensive Sexuality Education Comes To The Rescue in Bulawayo

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisain Bulawayo A few years ago, Vuzu Sex parties made headlines in Bulawayo Metropolitan province as young people of school-going age engaged in various forms of indecent behavior including sexual orgies, drug and substance abuse amongst other ills. For Simangalisiwe Ndlovu* (19), from Gwabalanda in Bulawayo, attending these parties was easy since both her parents stay out of the country and there was no parental supervision at home. Her parents work in South Africa and Simangalisiwe lives with her two siblings, her younger brother who is 15 and…

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CIMAS Health Group Expands Service Provision Into Tertiary Care

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Vuli Ndlovu has said the year 2023 was a busy one as they moved ahead valiantly with the healthcare strategy rollout expanding their service provision scope from primary care into tertiary care. Mr Ndlovu made the remarks on Thursday in his address at the 79th edition of Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Members of Cimas Medical Aid Society at Borrowdale Office Park in Harare. During the year under review, (2023) the Group commissioned nine units across five disciplines and in…

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