Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Five reasons why the next pandemic could come from bats

Michael Gwarisa

Viruses that jump from animals to humans are the likely sources of major health threats, say scientists, and bats are the number one suspect. By Priya Joi Viruses that spill over from bats to humans have caused some of the world’s deadliest outbreaks. The latest COVID-19 pandemic is potentially just one example, as a virus related to coronaviruses in bats. A new Reuters special report reveals how the onwards march of industrial development means we are constantly encroaching into bat habitats, massively increasing the risk of another global pandemic. Widespread…

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Bye-bye candlelight births: Rural women Cherish UNDP-Global Fund solar electrification project

Michael Gwarisa

Emelda Madlangove (33) from Ward 6, under headman Svondo in Mhandamahwe, has three children. Her third child was delivered at Mhandamahwe Rural Health Centre in December 2022. However, she recalls the “dark days.” A period when everything in the labour ward was pitch-black and expecting mothers would deliver through the aid of candles and makeshift lighting alternatives. By Michael Gwarisa in Chivi District The year was 2016 and she was booked to deliver her first child at Mhandamahwe facility. She vividly remembers how the nurses ran up and down trying…

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Solar for Health Project Boosts Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Capacity In Masvingo

Michael Gwarisa

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) collaborated on the Solar for Health (S4H) initiative, which has been extremely beneficial to the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (Natpharm). By Michael Gwarisa Since 2017, 1045 out of the 1,600 public health institutions in Zimbabwe that are part of the S4H project—which is financed by The Global Fund—have had solar systems installed. The solar system makes sure that vital health departments, such maternity, intensive care operating rooms, pharmacy, and laboratories, always have power. In order…

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AMREF Boss Appointed UN Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Member

Michael Gwarisa

Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO – Amref Health Africa has been appointed as a member of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Lead Group – a global initiative dedicated to eradicating all forms of malnutrition by 2030. The movement prioritizes nutrition action and collaboration, which includes supporting countries to implement policies and legislation that guarantees the availability of sustainable and nutritious diets for children, adolescents, mothers, and families. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Gitahi, in his role as the Kenyan representative, will join other notable global leaders in overseeing the strategic…

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AWF joins Zimbabwe and Zambia delegation for the LOZAMAP TFCA tour

Michael Gwarisa

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) Zimbabwe joined the Zimbabwe and Zambia delegations for the tour of the Lower Zambezi Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area (LOZAMAP TFCA), where AWF, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, is implementing various conservation projects. By Staff Reporter The tour came just after the signing ceremony of the LOZAMAP TFCA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Honorable Nqobizita Mangaliso Ndlovu, and the Zambian Minister of Tourism, Honorable Rodney Sikumba, at a high-level event held…

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Media a key ally in promoting health for all- WHO Rep

Michael Gwarisa

WORLD Health Organisation Zimbabwe country Representative, Professor Jean Marie Dangou has emphasized the need for media to collaborate with stakeholders in the healthcare sector in order to create an informed society. By Michael Gwarisa He said this while welcoming health Journalists and members of the Health Communicators Forum (HCF) in Zimbabwe to a Media Science Café on COVID-19 that was held at the WHO Offices in Harare. It is also pleasing to know that there is a group of dedicated health journalists in Zimbabwe. This makes it easier for coordination…

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COVID-19 no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern……WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Michael Gwarisa

FOR the past three years, the world literally came to a halt at the back of a raging COVID-19 pandemic that claimed and infected millions of people. According data, globally, as of 7 May 2023, over 765 million confirmed cases and over 6.9 million deaths had been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO). By Michael Gwarisa Compared to other pandemics that have been experienced in the history of public health, COVID-19 has the least fatalities. For example, HIV and AIDS known as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency…

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Exclusive breastfeeding in Zimbabwe improves

Michael Gwarisa

EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding of children in the country has improved since 2020 when it was less than 50 percent to about 80 percent this year, a Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) 2023 Urban Livelihoods Assessment Report notes. By Kuda Pembere The 10th annual ZIMVAC Urban Livelihoods Assessment Report was presented before the Cabinet by Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen. (Rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga who is the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Food Security and Nutrition. Pertaining to Child Nutrition, a cocktail of strategies and measures…

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Zimbabwe’s HIV/AIDS Stigma Jumps to 69.7 Percent…Key Populations affected the most

Michael Gwarisa

WHILE Zimbabwe is on track to attaining the  UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, rising incidences of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and sub population groups could derail the gains achieved so far. By Michael Gwarisa This was revealed during the launch of the Zimbabwe Stigma INDEX 2.0 Report in Harare where findings indicated that the overall stigma and discrimination in Zimbabwe was currently sitting at 69.7 percent, compared to 65.5 percent recorded in the 2014 Stigma Index report. According…

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Launch of a Regional Initiative to Tackle Climate Change-related Health Challenges for Africa

Michael Gwarisa

At the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly, African governments represented by Ministers of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (WHO) and Amref Health Africa launched a regional initiative to tackle health impacts of climate change in Africa. This is an effort to harness the power of collaboration among countries and stakeholders through experience sharing and collective action in climate adaptation and mitigation. By Staff Reporter Besides enabling multisectoral work, the initiative seeks to strengthen the voice of health and well-being in Africa at the…

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