Category: BREAKING NEWS

Women’s Groups Demand Independent Oversight as Digital Violence Surges

Healthtimes

By Health Times Correspondent Women’s rights groups have urged the government to establish independent commissions to monitor and evaluate the implementation of gender policies amid a rise in gender-based violence (GBV) cases. The country recently joined the global campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which emphasizes preventing violence against women and girls. The theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism is “Unite to End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.” The campaign highlights the growing threat of online abuse and harassment, calling for collective…

Read More

Zimbabwe Launches Single Dose HPV Vaccine

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Umzingwane  Zimbabwe has officially launched the single-dose Human Papillomavirus vaccine, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against cervical cancer. Although rollout of the single-dose regimen had already begun, the formal launch signals the full transition from the previous two-dose schedule, which had been associated with high dropout rates among adolescent girls. Speaking during the launch, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the shift to a single dose was backed by strong scientific evidence and would help close critical gaps in cervical…

Read More

Relax, ARV Stocks Secure, Health Minister Tells People Living With HIV

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Umzingwane Health and Child Care Minister, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, has assured the nation that Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) drugs remain fully stocked, adding that government is working toward maintaining a 12-month supply buffer at all times. The Minister was responding to concerns raised by the Zimbabwe Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) during the Candlelight Memorial Commemorations held at Umzingwane Primary School in Matabeleland South on the eve of World AIDS Day. We have already started procurement processes to make sure that at every stage we…

Read More

An HIV Wave Hitting Only One Side of the Market: Women in Mat South Are Bearing the Brunt

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Mat South In Matabeleland South, the burden of new HIV infections falls almost exclusively on women. The numbers are more than statistics; they depict a crisis where mothers and daughters are diagnosed one after the other, while men’s rates lag behind. This imbalance is shrinking families, disrupting livelihoods, and leaving communities to pick up the pieces. Data from the 2022 National Housing and Population Census shows that Matabeleland South has an estimated population of 760,000 people. Of these, the National AIDS Council (NAC) estimates that 93,000…

Read More

Zimbabwe Strengthens National HIV Response Ahead of World AIDS Day Commemorations

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  Zimbabwe has launched preparations for this year’s World AIDS Day commemorations, marking the beginning of a national week dedicated to reflection, mobilization and renewed commitment to ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. The commemorations, set for Umzingwane in Matabeleland South, come at a time when the country is intensifying efforts to integrate HIV programmes with broader public health priorities, including childhood cancer care. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, UNAIDS representative Jerry Manyika said the country…

Read More

Zimbabwe’s Medicines Regulatory Body Registers Lencapavir

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has announced the expedited approval of Lenacapavir, an innovative long-acting medicine for pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV-1 infection. The MCAZ Director-General, Mr. Richard T. Rukwata, said “the rapid approval of Lenacapavir reflects the Authority’s dedication to accelerating access to trusted, high-quality health products and brings new hope for HIV prevention while reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding public health.” Lenacapavir was assessed and approved by the Registration Committee under the expedited review process, as it is considered to be…

Read More

Cimas Sets Stage for Inaugural @80 Media Awards in Bulawayo

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter  Cimas Health Group will tonight host the inaugural Cimas @80 Media Awards at Cresta Churchill Hotel in Bulawayo, marking a major milestone in the organisation’s 80th anniversary celebrations. The awards, launched in September and supported by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), aim to honour outstanding health journalism that contributes to a well-informed and health-literate society. The Cimas @80 Media Awards recognise excellence across four key categories: Healthcare Transformation, Health and Wellness, Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Public Health Awareness. These categories reflect areas where journalism plays…

Read More

#BREAKING: Mutumwa Paul Mwazha Dies

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Renowned evangelist and leader of the African Apostolic Church (AAC), Archbishop Paul Mwazha, has died at the age of 107. The Church confirmed his passing through its social media platforms. Archbishop Mwazha played a key role in establishing the AAC, a charismatic movement that has drawn followers from around the world. Born in Chirimhanzu District on October 25, 1918, Archbishop Mwazha founded the African Apostolic Church in 1959. The Church says his death is a great loss and prayed for comfort for the entire African community. Mourners…

Read More

Women Who Remove Ribs For Cosmetic Purposes Have a High Risk Of Lung Malfunction

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In pursuit of the figure 8 or hourglass shape, women, especially social media influencers across the world, are increasingly undergoing procedures to remove the floating ribs, also known as the 11th and 12th ribs. The trend is widely discussed online and is often linked to dramatic overnight transformations. In Zimbabwe, although nothing has been proven, names such as Madam Boss and Luminitsa have previously circulated on social media debates, with some users speculating that certain influencers may have experimented with extreme body modification trends. These conversations highlight…

Read More

Experts Criticize WHO for Ignoring Evidence on Safer Smoking Alternatives

Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma The Conference of the Parties (COP) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has been ignoring emerging scientific evidence on tobacco harm reduction. Experts say the organisation continues to enforce restrictions that are not fit for purpose, while global smoking rates remain high. Tobacco harm reduction refers to the use of safer alternatives to cigarettes, including e-cigarettes, vapes, heat-not-burn products, pouches, and snus. These products are designed to provide nicotine with fewer health risks than traditional smoking. Critics argue that COP…

Read More