BREAKING NEWS |

LANDMARK MOVE: South Africa & India propose no patents on COVID-19 medicines, tools during pandemic

October 8, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

IN a landmark move, India and South Africa on 2 October asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to allow all countries to choose to neither grant nor enforce patents and other intellectual property (IP) related to COVID-19 drugs, vaccines, diagnostics and other technologies for the duration of the pandemic, until global herd immunity is achieved. This bold step is akin to efforts by governments nearly 20 years ago, which spearheaded the use of affordable generic HIV/AIDS medicines, and, if approved, could signal a major turning point in countries’ response to…

Mpilo Hospital Reduces Maternal Mortality

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 Healthtimes

MPILO Central Hospital has successfully implemented measures to reduce maternal mortality from an average of three deaths per week to zero which include reasonable service delivery, free maternal services and free blood transfusion services. On average the hospital witnesses 30 deliveries a day. There have been massive reductions in maternal mortality from an average of 3 per week to zero or three per month. SOURCE: Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC)

Zvisikana Zvidiki Zvotengesa Bonde MuChiredzi

October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

INGUVA dzepfumbamwe Manheru, vazhinji muguta re Chiredzi vakugadizirira kunorara kuti vafumo bata jongwe muromo vakananga kumabasa zuva rinoteverea. Vutunga huri mubishi kuita ma press up hwakamirira kuti vanhu varare huwane kusvusvura. Na Michael Gwarisa ari Muchiredzi Nechekure, kurikunzwika Redhiyo ichidandauka zvekuti huyai muone. Miridzo nemheterwa zvirikuridzwa kuratidza kuti vanhu vari kutamba chipisi. Haungatombofungiri kuti kune Lockdown. Mukuru umwe atakataura naye akati iye mhere mhere iyi yainge ichibva kubhawa re Chigarapasi, rinova zvakare bhawa gururusa kupinda mamwe ose munyika yeZimbabwe. Tati fambe Chinhamwe takananga kwaibva neruzha, takaona mumugagwa unoenda ku Chigarapasi…

#JUSTIN: Lancet Sets Up Lab At Vic Falls Airport To Test Visitors

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

LANCET Clinical Laboratories has established a laboratory at the Victoria Falls Airport with the aim of testing arriving tourists and the visiting public to curb the spread of the COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a Post Cabinet briefing, Information, publicity and broadcasting service, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the move was part of measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 following the easing of lockdown restrictions which have also seen restrictions on both inbound and outbound international travel being lifted. With regard to laboratory facilities, Cabinet noted that…

#BREAKING: The Avenues Clinic Restructures, 13 Employees Laid Off

October 6, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

MEDICAl Investments Limited’s (MIL) flagship company, The Avenues Clinic says it is going through a restructuring exercise which has largely been driven by reduced operational capacity and some inefficiencies currently being experienced in certain departments. By Michael Gwarisa The exercise will likely see 13 of its employees being laid-off while the leadership of the organisation is finalising the process so as to ensure a smooth transition to the revised work structures. In an interview with HealthTimes, MIL Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Searchmore Chaparadza indicated that there has been a…

Breaking the Cycle of Neglect: New Report Highlights the Economic Benefits of Eliminating NTDs in Africa

October 6, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

More than 1.7bn people require treatment for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) worldwide, with over 40% of the burden in Africa. Data indicate that reducing the illness and early death associated with NTDs would increase adults’ current and future economic productivity. Treating and preventing NTDs at a large scale could greatly increase the GDPs of countries that are currently burdened by disease. OVER 560 million people across Africa remain at risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) – a group of parasitic and bacterial infectious diseases, such as river blindness and intestinal…

Abuse and harassment driving girls off Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, global survey reveals

October 6, 2020 Healthtimes

Largest ever survey on online violence shows that one in five girls (19%) have left or significantly reduced use of a social media platform after being harassed, while another one in ten (12%) have changed the way they express themselves. HARARE: Girls and young women worldwide are demanding urgent action from social media companies after a landmark survey has revealed more than half (58%) have been harassed or abused online. HealthTimes Reporter Attacks are most common on Facebook, where 39% say they have suffered harassment, but occur on every platform…

USAID and WFP Provide Relief to over 100,000 Urban Dwellers During COVID-19

October 5, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today commenced cash disbursements for the Urban Social Assistance programme thanks to funding from the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID’s support will provide relief for vulnerable families in eight urban areas across Zimbabwe struggling to meet their daily food needs due to the effects of COVID-19. USAID and WFP are meeting the needs of people living in Gokwe, Redcliff, Kwekwe, Ruwa, Chinhoyi, Buhera, Chipinge, and Chegutu. The financial assistance from USAID allows WFP to provide support…

UNFPA To Continue Offering Community Based Solutions To Reduce GBV In Zimbabwe

October 5, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has vowed to continue offering community-based mechanisms to mitigate the risk of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa In 2019, UNFPA Zimbabwe focused on expanding safe spaces, distribution of dignity kits and capacity development of GBV sector on prevention and mitigation of GBV in emergency situations. The organization also rolled out One Stop Centres which have also continued to provide critical comprehensive support and services to GBV survivors. According to the UNFPA 2019 Annual Report, they have expanded services to vulnerable…

Zimbabwe Hit By Shortage Of Drug Sensitive TB Tablets

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE is currently experiencing a shortage in Rifabutin 150 mg tablets used in the treatment of drug sensitive Tuberculosis (DS-TB) among TB/HIV co-infected patients on second line treatment antiretroviral therapy (ART). By Michael Gwarisa In a communique written to all provincial hospitals, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of health and child care (MoHCC), Dr Jasper Chimedza said based on the current stock levels, the country would be stocked out by end of November 2020. The country is currently faced with shortages of Rifubutin 150mg tablets. The shortages are associated with…