Author: Michael Gwarisa

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

Cyclone Idai Missing Persons Finally Declared Dead

Michael Gwarisa

VICTIMS of the Cyclone Idai who went missing when disaster hit Chimanimani and other parts of Zimbabwe in March 2019 have finally been declared dead. By Staff Reporter Information Minister, Sen Monica Mutsvangwa told Journalists that that Cabinet received a report on the Exhumation of Cyclone Idai victims who were temporarily buried in the Dombe, Sussundenga and Moussorize, and Espungabeira districts of Mozambique as presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable July Moyo. The nation is being informed that following a Cabinet decision to exhume bodies…

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Zim Gvt Invokes Civil Protection Unit Emergency Act As Zim’s Measles Death Toll Goes Up To 157

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE has announced the activation of the country’s Civil Protection Act to deal with the surging measles cases and deaths amidst indications of a rise in the death toll over the past few days. By Michael Gwarisa The Civil Protection Act sets up the administration for civil protection at state and local level in Zimbabwe, provides with respect to the declaration of a state of disaster and operations in case of disaster and established National Civil Protection Fund. Briefing Journalists yesterday during a post cabinet media briefing, Information Minister, Senator…

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School Fees Now A Catastrophic Household Expense In Zimbabwe-World Remit Report

Michael Gwarisa

A World Remit 2022 Cost of School report has indicated that the cost of sending children to school in Zimbabwe this year will be over six times more than the average household’s income, ranking it among the world’ s most expensive places for sending children to school. By Michael Gwarisa According the report which observed 21 markets globally, by comparing the average cost of basic educational needs with average annual incomes and fertility rates to determine the season’s financial impact on families around the world, most families will struggle to…

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#BREAKING: Zimbabwe Scraps Masks Wearing Mandate For Vaccinated Citizens

Michael Gwarisa

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa has announced that fully vaccinated citizens are no longer required to wear masks outdoors. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing, Sen Mutsvangwa said, “Those who have been fully vaccinated are no longer mandated to wear masks in outdoor public.” She however added that people need  carry their vaccination cards as evidence and they are are still required to wear masks indoors for example during indoor concerts etc, masks are mandatory. …More Details To Follow

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China Considers Offering Attractive Incentives For Families To Have More Children As Birth Drops

Michael Gwarisa

A total of 17 Chinese government departments on Tuesday jointly released a guideline on support policies in finance, tax, housing, employment, education and other fields to create a fertility-friendly society and encourage families to have more children, as the country faces growing pressure from falling birth rates. Analysts said that it is rare to see so many ministries and departments jointly release such a detailed and comprehensive guideline on encouraging fertility and supporting childbearing, underscoring the seriousness of the growth rate of China’s population, which has slowed significantly, with a…

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#BREAKING: Zim Measles Outbreak Spreads Beyond Manicaland, As 80 Die From The Disease

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned that the Measles outbreak has spread beyond Makoni district in Manicaland provinces to other provinces amidst indications of a surge in new infections and deaths over the past days. By Staff Reporter In a statement, the health ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Jasper Chimedza said the cases were emanating from church gatherings that happened in the recent weeks. The ministry of health and child care wishes to inform the public that the ongoing outbreak of measles which was first reported on…

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Hivos’ Program Expands SRHR Services To Street Children and Vulnerable Groups

Michael Gwarisa

THE Consent2Access Campaign, an advocacy initiative on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) being implemented by Hivos and its partners across Eastern and Southern Africa, has gone a step further by extending services to groups of adolescents and young people that are usually left out in a number of health programs. By Michael Gwarisa The program is being implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of the regional SRH Funds Advocacy campaign aimed at promoting progressive laws, policies and practices that can ensure adolescent and young people access…

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UNFPA Zimbabwe calls for support to ensure young people reach their full potential

Michael Gwarisa

Harare, 12 August, 2022 – On the International Youth Day the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Zimbabwe and partners have called for greater support to ensure young people reach their full potential by making critical investments in their health, education and well-being. By Staff Reporter The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. In Zimbabwe, adolescents and youth are experiencing adverse life outcomes, including unintended early or teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and school dropouts. Early and teenage pregnancy have major…

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Trading the spanner for Universal Health Coverage…The meteoric rise of Itai Rusike into public health stardom

Michael Gwarisa

To many, he is just an ordinary human being and a health activist with a zeal for health issues. Some call him Wadyegora, a name synonymous with his Moyo or heart totem. Born during the liberation struggle in a place of rich mixed soils in Saruwe or Selous, Itai Josh Rusike’s or Mukoma Josh’s as he is known by many, knew at a tender age that he was destined for greatness on this earth. Over the years, Itai has grown into becoming one of the leading Public Health Voices in…

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Increase in people who inject drugs threatens Zim’s HIV Gains…UNAIDS calls for effective harm reduction programs

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT was warned that the obtaining spike in illicit drug and substance abuse incidences could trigger a new wave of new HIV infections as drug users were devising new risky means of administering drugs such as injecting drugs which at times involves the sharing of unsterilized needles and sharp objects. By Michael Gwarisa While Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards ending the AIDS epidemic, new data indicates that there has been a surge in new HIV infections especially amongst young girls and women while quite a sizable number could be…

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