Category: BREAKING NEWS

Merck Foundation Aims To Bridge Specialist Gap In Africa And Asia

Healthtimes

MERCK Foundation trained over 1 100 medical practitioners from Africa and Asia to bridge the gap of shortage of health personnel in some countries. By Kudakwashe Pembere On the back of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, most of these trainings were done virtually. This was said by Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr Rasha Kelej during her organisation’s inaugural session of the 8th Edition of the ”MERCK FOUNDATION AFRICA ASIA LUMINARY” 2021 Online Videoconference. I would to assure that as Merck foundation we have trained 350 doctors across 35 countries in Africa…

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#NewsInBrief: Court Releases Dr Manangazira’s Passport

Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Director Epidemiology Services, Dr Portia Manangazira who is facing nepotism  and abuse of office charges after employing 27 relatives including her father late last year, has successfully applied for the release of  her passport. NewsRoom Dr Manangazira appeared before magistrate Stamford Mambanje who released her passport to allow her to travel to Zambia on a business trip.  

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Zim COVID-19 Epidemic Curve Flattening – Dr Grant

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Grant Murewanhema

LOCAL Public Health Expert and Epidemiologist, Dr Grant Murewanhema has hinted that Zimbabwe’s epidemic curve was at the verge of flattening even though clustered sections of infections were still reported at community level. By Michael Gwarisa An epidemic curve, also known as an epi curve or epidemiological curve, is a statistical chart used to visualize the onset and progression of a disease outbreak. Presenting during an editors workshop that was organized by the National AIDS Council, Dr Grant said there was need to scale-up COVID-19 prevention interventions in  a bid…

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95% Of Deaf Persons In Zim Don’t Understand Shona, Face Communication Challenges During COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

COMPREHENDING and interpreting COVID-19 information has not been a walk in the park for  deaf persons amidst indications that 98% of of the deaf community do not understand the vernacular Shona language. By Michael Gwarisa Sign Language Interpreters Association of Zimbabwe (SLIAZ) Chairperson, Professor Lincoln Hlatsyawo told editors and station managers in Chinhoyi recently that the deaf community had been lagging behind in terms of access to COVID-19 and HIV information. Inaccessible Information Education and Communication (IEC) material has been an issue and in respect of COVID-19 and HIV and…

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COVID-19 Chokes AIDS Levy Collections

Michael Gwarisa

THE prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected AIDS Levy collections at the back of job losses and diminishing incomes during the period from March 2020 to date, making it difficult to fund HIV and AIDS interventions locally. By Michael Gwarisa The AIDS Levy is derived from  3% of income tax paid by individuals and cooperates and in Zimbabwe, HIV interventions are currently funded 70% by donors (multilateral or bilateral) and 11% by public resources and the reminder by Private players. —According to ZNASP (2015-2020), the HIV funding Gap for 2020…

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Zim Married Couples Urged To Use Condoms

Michael Gwarisa

THE National AIDS Council (NAC) Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Mr Amon Mpfofu says the risk of HIV infection is equally high among married couples as evidenced by latest nationwide HIV estimates. By Michael Gwarisa recently In Chinhoyi Speaking to Editors and Station Mangers during a sensitization meeting that was organized by NAC in Chinhoyi, Mr Mpofu attributed the high number of new HIV infections in Matebelenad South to spousal separation as  married couples are either separated by work or migration into neighboring countries. In 2020, the highest HIV prevalence was…

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Media Has Contributed Towards Bending HIV Trajectory Says Dep Minister Paradza

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE  has progressed in reducing its HIV and AIDS burden at the back of increased reportage of HIV and AIDS issues which has greatly changed perceptions around the disease and reduced stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV. By Michael Gwarisa in Chinhoyi Addressing Editors and Station managers from different media organization in Chinhoyi, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Honorable Kindness Paradza said mentioning Zimbabwe’s HIV success without including the media would be a great injustice. Far from the belief in some quarters that HIV and AIDS…

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Government On High Alert Over COVID-19 In schools

Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT says it will be scaling up COVID-19 surveillance and testing in schools to avert a possible spike in cases which could lead to a third wave. By Tanaka Moyo Speaking during a press briefing Monica Mutsvangwa the Minister of Information and Broadcasting services said the government was aware that there were confirmed COVID-19 cases in some schools and it was assured that there was surveillance. Cabinet notes that the strong COVID-19 surveillance system that Government had put in place had enabled the Ministry to detect outbreaks early. Cabinet was…

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Japan Further Supports COVID-19 Response In Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

THE Government of Japan has allocated over a million United States (US) dollars in additional support to UNICEF Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 response through responsive and preventive care interventions to vulnerable children and women across multiple sectors including health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, GBV and child protection and education. Staff Reporter The project will be implemented in 32 districts across the country which are hotspots for drought, flooding, HIV and AIDS, malaria, cholera and other diarrheal diseases, as well as COVID-19. The partnership extends for 12 months starting in March 2021 and aims to…

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Bars Will Remain Closed Until The Third Wave Has Passed Says Gvt

Healthtimes

CABINET has announced that bars and night clubs remain closed until further notice owing to the growing threat of imminent COVID-19 third wave. By Staff Reporter Addressing Journalists during a Post Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the move was in good faith. Cabinet remains cognisant of the need to fully open all economic activities. However, in the face of the threat of a Third Wave, Cabinet has deferred consideration of the opening of bars and night clubs until further notice,” said Senetor Mutsvangwa.…

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