Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Community Posts model makes significant strides in improving HIV outcomes

Michael Gwarisa

By Shamiso Yikoniko In the ongoing battle against HIV, an innovative model promises to bring renewed hope and transform the lives of men, children, and adolescents who are missing from critical HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The groundbreaking initiative – Community Posts Model – has been gaining momentum and garnering attention for its remarkable success stories. One key aspect of the model is its comprehensive approach to locating and involving the hard-to-reach population. It utilizes a combination of community outreach, targeted awareness campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations to…

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IAS 2025 to take place in Kigali, Rwanda

Michael Gwarisa

2 May 2024 (Geneva, Switzerland) – IAS – the International AIDS Society – announced today that IAS 2025, the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science, will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 14 to 17 July 2025. Pre-meetings will be held on 13 July. The conference will spotlight challenges and opportunities in some of the world’s most HIV-affected regions while offering insights gained from other areas of the world. IAS 2025 will serve as a critical reflection point to collectively take stock of how and in what ways the advances in HIV science can…

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Zimbabwe Launches Stage 2 of CATALYST Study, Adding Injectable PrEP to HIV Prevention Options for Participants

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following the delivery of injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) doses, Zimbabwe through the Maximizing Options to Advance Informed Choice for HIV Prevention (MOSAIC) consortium, has launched stage 2 of the CATALYST study, introducing the newly approved injectable PrEP. The study is funded by funded by PEPFER through USAID. The CATALYST study was initially launched in 2023 where two PrEP methods — tenofovir-based oral pills and the dapivirine ring (PrEP ring) — were offered. The CATALYST sites remain the same six sites where stage 1 was conducted. These include…

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Medical Aid Industry Representative Body Optimistic About Zig Currency

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ), the representative body for the medical aid industry in the country, has thrown its weight behind the newly introduced Zimbabwe Gold (Zig). The new endorsement comes in the wake of mixed reactions following the introduction of the currency, with some players in the medical aid industry raising fears around the sustainability and continuity of the Zig currency since it was launched through a Statutory Instrument (Statutory Instrument 60 of 2024), which in most cases has a shorter shelf life.…

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Communities A Vital Cog In Addressing Severe NCDs In Africa-Dr Benido

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), continue to exert unwarranted pressure on Africa’s healthcare system, with data from the 2022 World Health Organisation (WHO) NCDs progress monitor estimating that between 50 percent and 88 percent of deaths being recorded in seven African countries, mostly small island nations, are due to non-communicable disease. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 calls for all Member States to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third in 2030 through prevention, treatment and promoting mental health and well-being. However, over the years,…

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NDS1 blueprint falls on the collaboration between private sector and Gvt 

Michael Gwarisa

 By Staff Reporter Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer Vulindlela Lester Ndlovu has said the success of the government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) blueprint falls squarely on the private sector working together with the government.  Mr Ndlovu made the remarks on Wednesday addressing guests at the International Business Conference 2024 which is part of the weeklong Zimbabwe International Trade   in Bulawayo.  For the second year running, Cimas Health Group is the platinum sponsor for the ZITF International Business Conference. Our wish list for our industry, consistent with this year’s…

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Government of Zimbabwe, UNFPA and partners call for greater investment to accelerate progress on the population and development agenda

Michael Gwarisa

By Health Reporter At a High Level Meeting to track progress on implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA), and in light of findings from a global report, the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners today called for greater investment to accelerate progress on the population and development agenda. The year 2024 is a milestone year for the global community as it marks the 30th anniversary of the ICPD. The ICPD conference, held in Cairo in September 1994,…

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NCDs In African Children Put On The Spotlight As Inaugural ICPPA Conference Kicks Off In Tanzania

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania The First International Conference on the PEN-Plus Regional Strategy to Address Severe Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa (ICPPA), has commenced in Tanzania, amidst calls for increased investment towards prevention, research and care for childhood NCDs. The four-day confrence is running from April 23 to  April 25 2024, under the theme, “Prioritising Person-Centered Approach to Chronic and Severe NCDs-Type 1 Diabetes, Sickle Cell Diseases, and Childhood Heart Diseases.” The conference is being hosted by the  Tanzania Ministry of Health in Tanzania and the…

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Zimbabwe’s TB Financing Timebomb: 95% Of Zimbabwe’s TB Financing Comes from Donors

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Tuberculosis (TB) is by far one of the world’s most ancient diseases, dating back to about 9000 years ago when TB was first detected in humans in Atlit Yam, a city now under the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Israel. History has it that Archaeologists found TB in the remains of a mother and child buried together. Despite being a disease from medieval times, Tuberculosis is one of the world’s second-leading infectious killers after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)…

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New CIMAS Gene Sequencing Technology To Revolutionize Early Detection Of Cancer and Lifestyle Diseases In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to improve detection and treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and other lifestyle diseases in Zimbabwe, CIMAS Medical Aid Society has procured a Genetic Sequencing device that is set to be a game changer in Zimbabwe’s public health system. The Gene Sequencer is a fairly new technology in Zimbabwe, with CIMAS’s laboratory division MEDLABS, being one of the few organisations in possession of the technology in the country. The technology screens for underlying health issues and disease susceptibility in different populations.   Speaking in an…

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