Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

President Mnangagwa Should Declare Cholera a National Disaster

Michael Gwarisa

PUBLIC Health expert and Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike has called on President Emerson Mnganagwa to act swiftly and declare the prevailing Cholera outbreak a National Disaster before the health situation gets out of hand. By Michael Gwarisa His call comes in the midst of numerous Cholera cases that have been recorded and confirmed mostly in rural areas across the country with Buhera District in Manicaland province being the hardest hit. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Rusike said the situation on the ground…

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When Facts Are Not Enough: COVID-19 Pandemic Exposes Widening Gaps In Vaccine Confidence

Michael Gwarisa

“I was vaccinated because it was mandatory at work. I had two options, get vaccinated, or go home. I chose the former,” says Theresa Manongwa,* an employee with TelOne, one of Zimbabwe’s leading Telecommunications company. By Michael Gwarisa In July, 2021, TelOne, issued a statement announcing that it would send its unvaccinated staff on forced leave until the country’s COVID-19 situation had subsided. Caught between being sent on forced leave and the prospects of losing her job had the situation persisted, Theresa felt compelled to get her vaccine shots despite…

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Cholera Spreads like Veld Fire in Zimbabwe’s Rural Communities

Michael Gwarisa

WHILE previous Cholera outbreaks in Zimbabwe were recorded in urban areas where there is poor water and sanitation services, the obtaining Cholera outbreak seem to be spreading fast in rural communities. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe reported its first Cholera case in February this year in Chegutu before the outbreak spread to the country’s 10 provinces. The outbreak at some point subsided, only to resurface in Buhera, Manicaland province, where majority of those dying and contracting the diseases are white garment sect members according to government. As of October, 20 2023,…

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Cholera Kills More Apostolic Sects Members In Buhera

Michael Gwarisa

Majority of people who have died during the ongoing Cholera outbreak in Buhera District, Manicaland province, are members of white garment apostolic sects who attended a funeral of their fellow member where they probably consumed contaminated food and water, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Since August, more people from white garment sects, especially those that forbid their members from seeking healthcare services have succumbed to the disease. Manicaland had recorded over 2350 cholera cases and 83 deaths as at 13 October with 40 new cases and one death recorded…

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One Stop Centres as Key Accelerators Towards Zimbabwe’s Progress To End AIDS By 2030

Michael Gwarisa

Women and girls who experience Gender Based Violence (GBV) are at high risk of contracting HIV. According to UN Women, GBV is a risk factor for HIV infection, and a consequence of stigma. Addressing violence and gender inequality is therefore essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and protecting the human rights of all people to safety, equality and the highest attainable standard of health. By Michael Gwarisa For Roselyn Magaso* 24, from Ngangu, Chimanimani, having been married at the age of 16, she experienced all forms of abuse at the…

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St Giles appeals for US$100,000 to revive paediatric unit…Facility using cloths to secure children in wheelchairs…Donor Support Shrinks

Michael Gwarisa

Donor fatigue and declining corporate support at Zimbabwe’s leading medical rehabilitation centre, St Giles, is hampering efforts to effectively deliver comprehensive rehabilitation services to children with the with Cerebral Palsy (CP). By Michael Gwarisa Cerebral Palsy happens when there is damage to an immature brain before the age of five years thereby causing permanent disability though not progressive. In Zimbabwe, the prevalence of Cerebral Palsy is estimated to be at 1.55 per 1000 live births in rural areas and 3.3 per 1000 births in urban areas. While majority of adult…

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#JUSTIN: Hon Daniel Molokele Appointed New Portfolio Committee On health Chair

Michael Gwarisa

Hwange Central Constituency legislator, Honorable Daniel Molokele has been appointed the new Chairperson for the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health. By Michael Gwarisa Hon Molokele’s decorated experience in the public healthcare sector and advocacy  since 2008 is set to scale the  Portfolio of Health to dizzy heights. He has been working with Civil Society from 2009 where he as the Africa Programme Officer for the World AIDS Campaign. He later on served as the the Southern Africa Regional Porgramme Manager for partnership with CSOs for the Access to Medicine Program.…

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Drug Abuse Admissions Overwhelm Annex Psychiatric Hospital

Michael Gwarisa

Parirenyatwa Annex Hospital, the Psychiatric division of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH), is currently admitting more drug and substance abusers compared to other mental health patients, officials have said. By Michael Gwarisa The development has disrupted care and service provision for other mental health conditions at the facility. Even though the facility at some point reduced the admissions to 10 adults at any given time at the back of ongoing renovations, data shows that more than half of bed occupants are drug and substance abusers. Speaking to HealthTimes, Parirenyatwa Group…

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Zimbabwe Targets Over Two Million Children In 4th Round Polio Vaccination

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) 4th round Polio Vaccination will be ending tomorrow amidst indications that a total 2 773 940 are targeted for vaccination this time around. By Michael Gwarisa The Polio vaccination commenced on 10 October and will be enduing October 13, 2023. Launching the 4th Round Polio Vaccination, Minister of Health, Dr Douglas Mombeshora even though Zimbabwe has not recorded any Polio case since it was in neighboring countries, vaccinating children would give the a fighting chance should the diseases find its way into…

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African Union Supports Education for Health and Well- Being to Transform Young African’s Future

Michael Gwarisa

The African Union (AU), through the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), in collaboration with UNESCO, IPPF, UNFPA, and WHO, launched the Continental Strategy on Education for Health and Well-being of Young People. By Staff Reporter The African Union broadcasted the launch of the Continental Strategy on the 11th of October 2023 during the Global Forum for Adolescents led by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health. This forum is the largest-ever gathering focused on adolescent well-being and is expected to engage over 1 million young peoplein…

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