Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

AWF Registers Graduation of 15 Advanced Coxswains for Anti-Poaching Patrols

Michael Gwarisa

KARIBA-The African Wildlife Foundation Zimbabwe (AWF) registered the graduation of 15 advanced coxswain trainees during a colorful pass out parade event held at Moth Camp in Kariba. By Staff Reporter This followed an intense 3-week advanced coxswain course which equipped trainees with critical knowledge and skills on wildlife conservation with a particular focus on anti-poaching and law enforcement activities within marine or water-based environments. The training was made possible by the technical support from AWF in partnership with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) and the Zimbabwe National…

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Global Partners Announce “The Big Catch-up” Drive To Vaccinate Millions Of Children

Michael Gwarisa

The pandemic saw essential immunization levels decrease in over 100 countries, leading to rising outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio and yellow fever. ‘The Big Catch-up’ is an extended effort to lift vaccination levels among children to at least pre-pandemic levels and endeavours to exceed those. Led by a broad range of national and global health partners, The Big Catch-up also aims to ensure stronger primary health care services for essential immunization in the future. WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with Immunization…

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Obesity time bomb for Zim Children

Michael Gwarisa

PUBLIC Health experts have warned of an imminent obesity epidemic in Zimbabwean children, owing to multiple changes in the environment that promote high-calorie, poor quality dietary intake and minimal physical activity. By Michael Gwarisa While obesity was singled out as the biggest pending crises, the experts also warned of a rise in other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as mental health disorders among other conditions linked to leading a sedentary lifestyle. In an interview with HealthTimes, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Environmental Health Officer, Natasha Muziringa said the new…

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mRNA Technology Transfer Programme moves to the next phase of its development

Michael Gwarisa

Over 200 international participants working with the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme met in Cape Town this week for their first face-to-face meeting. Joined by World Health Organization (WHO) Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Dr. Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health and Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Ebrahim Patel of South Africa together with high-level officials from funding countries, this unique meeting reviewed the progress since WHO and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) launched it in June 2021. “I am delighted to be here in Cape Town with our partners…

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Zim Global Fund Indaba Spotlights Triple Threat Of HIV,TB and NCDs

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE is currently meeting other African countries in Harare for the Global Fund Regional workshop to support countries with integrating NCDs and mental health into their funding request proposals to the Global Fund. By Michael Gwarisa The three day meeting is being attended by delegates from Ministries of Health from the African region, partners, and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) from Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Various speakers who during the official opening day concured that while there have been huge investments towards HIV, TB and malaria response through…

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Zim’s Traffic Accidents Related Deaths Decline

Michael Gwarisa

The number of deaths due to road traffic accidents declined by 4.5 percent from 553 in 3rd quarter 2022 to 528 in the 4th quarter despite a 4.3 percent increase in the total number of road traffic accidents from 13,246 accidents reported in 3rd quarter 2022 to 13,815 during 4th quarter 2022. By Staff Reporter Presenting findings from Transport Statistics Report 2018-2022, Zimbabwe National Stastics Agency (Zimstat) Director General, Mr Taguma Mahonde said, “…the year-on-year comparison of total road traffic accidents reported shows a 16.1% increase from 45,307 in 2021…

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Zimbabwe Hosts Global School-based Student Health Survey Multi Country Training

Michael Gwarisa

A four day Multi-country training on the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) is underway in Harare, Zimbabwe, amidst growing calls for countries to conduct new studies around children’s health behaviours so as to come up with tangible evidence and data to inform policy. By Michael Gwarisa The training is being attended by participants from Ministries of Health and the NCD focal persons from the WHO Country Offices from Cabo Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The GSHS is a low-cost collaborative surveillance project designed to help…

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Did Vice President Chiwenga say hiring health workers from Zimbabwe was illegal?

Michael Gwarisa

RECENTLY, South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported that Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), who is also the Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga had announced that hiring health workers from Zimbabwe was now illegal. The SABC reported on April 3, 2023 that “Zimbabwe’s Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga says government plans to enact law which will criminalize recruitment of health personnel from Zimbabwe by other foreign countries. #sabcnews.” Did the minister say it’s illegal to hire healthcare workers from Zimbabwe? Background The Vice President said this while officiating at the…

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World Health Organization Turns 75, Commemorates World Health Day with Renewed Commitment to Health for All

Michael Gwarisa

This World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Established in 1948 by countries around the world, WHO’s mission is to promote health, ensure global safety, and serve the vulnerable, with the ultimate goal of achieving the highest level of health and well-being for all. By Own Correspondent With a presence in over 150 offices and working with 194 Member States across six regions.  At the heart of #healthforall is the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), where people can have access to affordable, equitable,…

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Zimbabwe Parliament Proposes Harsh Penalties For Men Who Impregnate 10 Year Olds

Michael Gwarisa

FOLLOWING release of the Vital Statistics Report by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), which shows that 696 girls aged 10 to 14 gave 12 months before the Census night in 2022, Parliament is now demanding action from the ministries of health and that of home affairs. By Michael Gwarisa   According to the report, over 68,639 teenagers aged 15 to 19 also fell pregnant and gave birth during the same period. The issue has since attracted national attention, with most members of Parliament agreeing that stricter penalties should be…

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