Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Zim Health Workers Slam Draconian Health Services Law

Michael Gwarisa

ORGANIZATIONS representing healthcare workers in Zimbabwe have lampooned the recently approved Health Services Act, which they believe will only worsen the situation for ordinary health seeking citizens as it will trigger fresh exodus of skilled health personnel into lucrative markets. By Michael Gwarisa The new law will see health workers who call for industrial action being liable to a fine not exceeding level 4 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment. In an interview with HealthTimes, Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA)…

Read More

Merck Foundation Announces Winners For Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit Awards 2022

Michael Gwarisa

• Merck Foundation announced the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards winners 2022, 7 Researchers from 7 different African Countries recognized for two categories – Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers. • Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2022 Awards was in partnership with African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission. • Merck Foundation also announces the Call for Applications for Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards 2023 to empower Women and Youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on…

Read More

Zimbabwe Signs Tough Health Services Bill Into Law…Health Workers Who Call For Strike To Be Jailed 6 Months

Michael Gwarisa

DESPITE widespread condemnation of the Health Services Bill at consultation level, Zimbabwe has proceeded to sign the controversial Health Services Act into law. By Staff Reporter According to the new law, any individual who is a member of the governing body of any trade union or representative body of members of the Health Service which incites or organises any collective job action contrary to subsection shall be guilty of any an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 4 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six…

Read More

HIV Related Cancers On The Decline In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

NEW data released by the Zimbabwe Cancer Registry (ZCR) shows a decline in HIV related cancers owing to increased coverage cancer screening services coupled with other HIV treatment and care services countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa According to the latest Zimbabwe Cancer Registry Report which looked at the Pattern of Cancer in Zimbabwe, the total number of new cancer cases recorded among Zimbabweans of all races (including non-melanoma skin cancer) in 2018 was 7 841 comprising 3 301 (42.1%) males and 4 540 (57.9%) females. While over 7000 new cases of…

Read More

Blood For Fuel Coupons: Has The NBSZ Finally Struck The Right Code?

Michael Gwarisa

THE 2018 proclamation by the then Minister of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr David Parirenytwa of a free blood initiative in all public health institutions has resulted in increased demand for the precious liquid. As a result, the country’s blood bank has been running on less than the required stocks for a prolonged period now. By Michael Gwarisa According to global blood stocks standards, a healthy blood bank should have at least five days’ supply at any given time. However, in most cases, the Zimbabwean blood bank, the National…

Read More

UNAIDS welcomes Kenya’s High Court judgement in landmark case of involuntary sterilization of women living with HIV

Michael Gwarisa

UNAIDS welcomes the judgement by the High Court of Kenya at Nairobi recognizing that coerced sterilization of women living with HIV is a violation of their human rights. The judgement follows a case brought forward in 2014 by a Kenyan woman living with HIV who was coerced by professionals at a health facility to undergo tubal ligation thus taking away her ability to have children. The High Court found that the performance of this operation without consent amounted to a violation of her rights to non-discrimination, to dignity, to health…

Read More

Omicron Sub Variants Make Up 97.5% Of All New COVID-19 Cases In China

Michael Gwarisa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) which was recently in China to investigate the surge in new COVID-19 cases, has reported that Omicron still accounts for majority of infections together with its sub-variants BA.5.2 AND BF.7. By Michael Gwarisa The TAG-VE meets regularly to review the latest scientific evidence on circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and advises WHO on whether a change in public health strategies is warranted. The TAG-VE met on 3 January 2023 to discuss the COVID-19 situation in mainland China. During the meeting,…

Read More

COVID-19 Rears Ugly Head Again As WHO meets with Chinese officials on current COVID-19 situation

Michael Gwarisa

A high-level meeting took place on 30 December between WHO and China about the current surge in COVID-19 cases, to seek further information on the situation, and to offer WHO’s expertise and further support. By Michael Gwarisa High-level officials from China’s National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration briefed WHO on China’s evolving strategy and actions in the areas of epidemiology, monitoring of variants, vaccination, clinical care, communication and R&D. WHO again asked for regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation —…

Read More

Feli Nandi uses music to fight early child marriages

Michael Gwarisa

HAVING been married when she was around the age of 18 herself, songstress Felistas “Feli Nandi” Chipendo believes the world can be a better place if and when the girl child is allowed to be in school longer and if she is not rushed into marriage for any reason. By Michael Gwarisa According to UNICEF data, child marriage remains widespread in Zimbabwe and one woman out of every three was married before the age of 18. In Zimbabwe, some of the major drivers of child marriages include poverty, lack of…

Read More

PSH Launches “Give Me A Chance” Campaign against Early Child Marriages

Michael Gwarisa

IN a bid to end the growing burden of Early Child Marriages that have seen girls dropping out of school and widening the opportunities gap between boys and girls, the Population Solutions for Health (PSH) through funding from the Embassy of Sweden, has launched the “Give Me A Chance,” an Anti-Child Marriages campaign in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa in Zvimba Besides being a national media campaign, the “Give Me A Chance” campaign is being implemented in three districts namely Uzumba, Maramba Pfungwe (UMP), Zvimba and Rushinga in partnership with the…

Read More