Category: BREAKING NEWS

Zimbabwe Hosts High-Level Regional Meeting to Advance National Public Health Institutes Across Southern Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has opened its doors to public health leaders from across Southern Africa this week, hosting the fourth edition of the Regional National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) Indaba. The three-day meeting, which began on June 25 in Harare, convenes African Union (AU) Member States, global health partners, and technical institutions to evaluate progress and reinforce the commitment toward building and strengthening National Public Health Institutes across the continent. Organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the gathering seeks to address persistent gaps…

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Marriage Isn’t Working’: Divorce Among Zimbabwean Women Up by Nearly 100,000 in 10 Years

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The number of divorced or separated women in Zimbabwe has surged dramatically over the past decade, rising by nearly 100,000 since 2015. This is according to new findings from the 2025 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and development partners. According to the 2025 report, 12% of women aged 15–49 are now divorced or separated, compared to 9% in 2015. Given Zimbabwe’s current estimated population of 16 million—with…

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FDA approves twice-a-year injection for HIV prevention

Michael Gwarisa

CNN — A drug currently used to treat certain HIV infections has also, on Wednesday, received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to be used to prevent HIV. Gilead Sciences, maker of the drug, announced that a twice-a-year injection of lenacapavir has been approved in the United States for HIV prevention under the brand name Yeztugo. In clinical trials, the drug was found to dramatically reduce the risk of infection and provide near-total protection against HIV, significantly more than the primary options available for pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP. Therapies called PrEP…

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Avenues Clinic Rallies Youth Toward STEM, Breaking Perceived Limitations

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In an era fraught with job uncertainty, driven by advances in artificial intelligence and a contracting employment market, the Avenues Clinic in Harare recently took an inspiring step to empower its young men. On June 14, more than 100 male students from Harare High School, Allan Wilson, Mufakose High School, and others attended a dynamic careers exhibition hosted by the clinic. The event celebrated Father’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Month, offering teens insights into science and business pathways they might not have considered before. Located in…

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AI Revolution in Healthcare: UK and Zimbabwe Unite to Drive Smart Health Systems

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a powerful convergence of global innovation and local ambition, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and University College London (UCL) recently concluded a groundbreaking three-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and health, aimed at reimagining healthcare delivery in Africa. Held at the UZ Innovation Hub, the event brought together top academics, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers — all aligned on one message: AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it is already reshaping lives and saving them. UK Development Director Jo Abbot, in her keynote address,…

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Zimbabwe Authorities Warn Against Illegal Use of Ozempic as Weight-Loss “Skinny Jab”

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Health Professions Authority (HPA) have issued a stern warning to the public against the illegal sale, purchase, and use of the prescription drug Ozempic—popularly known as the “skinny jab”—amid rising reports of its misuse for weight loss purposes. Originally developed and approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has recently gained attention for its off-label use as a rapid weight-loss solution. However, authorities caution that unsupervised use of the drug poses serious health risks and could…

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After Years Stuck at 10%, Zimbabwe’s Medical Aid Coverage Crashes to Just 4%

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Health insurance coverage in Zimbabwe has declined to a historic low, with new data revealing that only four percent of the country’s population is currently covered by any form of medical aid. This comes after more than a decade in which the national coverage rate stagnated at around 10 percent, raising fresh concerns about the accessibility and affordability of healthcare in the country. The figures are drawn from the latest Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), which paints a stark picture of declining health insurance coverage across…

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CWGH Welcomes Appointment of Maternal & Perinatal Death Review Committee

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has welcomed the appointment of the 2025–2028 Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) National Steering Committee by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora. The newly appointed committee is expected to play a crucial role in reviewing maternal and perinatal deaths and recommending urgent national actions to reduce preventable fatalities. The MPDSR Committee, first established in 2015, is tasked with identifying key trends and systemic weaknesses contributing to maternal and newborn deaths, and offering strategic…

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Bulawayo Tops Women’s Alcohol Consumption in Zimbabwe: Report

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Women in Bulawayo are drinking more alcohol than women in any other province in Zimbabwe, according to the 2023–2024 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS). The report, released this year, sheds light on gendered patterns of alcohol use across the country, revealing both behavioral trends and potential public health concerns. The data shows that 9 percent of women in Bulawayo reported consuming alcohol in the month prior to the survey, the highest rate among all provinces. In contrast, Matabeleland North recorded the lowest rate, with just 4…

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BEN, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Valio Launch AI Mental Health Program to Support Underserved Students in South Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Mental health is an urgent concern for students across South Africa, especially in underserved communities with limited access to care. To help close this gap, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Valio Technologies, and Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (NASDAQ: BNAI) are launching an inclusive, AI-powered mental health program that offers private, 24/7 support. The initiative starts with UKZN students and will help shape how mental health support is expanded across the region. AI is now playing a vital role in improving access to mental health support,” said Paul Chang, CEO of…

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