LATE-stage trials for a leading coronavirus vaccine have been suspended after a study participant suffered a “potentially unexplained illness”. AstraZeneca has put on hold phase three trials of a vaccine being developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford. The Australian Government last month signed an agreement with the UK-based company to secure the potential COVID-19 vaccine, if its trials prove successful. In a statement, AstraZeneca said it “voluntarily paused” the phase 3 clinical trial — which kicked off in July — to allow a review of the “single event”…
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Gvt Appoints COVID-19 Experts Advisory Committee
INFORMATION, publicity and broadcasting services minister, minister Monica Mutsvangwa has announced a new COVID-19 Experts Advisory Committee comprising of experts from various fields of expertise. By Michael Gwarisa The committee will provide scientific based evidence, advice and guidance on the National COVID-19 preparedness and response. The public may recall that Cabinet approved the establishment of a COVID-19 Experts Advisory Committee, whose objective will be to provide science-based evidence, advice and guidance on the National COVID-19 Preparedness and Response in support of timely evidence- based policy decisions. “Today, Cabinet approved the…
Read More#JUSTIN: Bars Now Allowed To Operate, As Gvt Eases Lockdown
CABINET has resolved to allow bars, night clubs and other liquor retailers to operate though under strict COVID-19 regulations. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a post cabinet media briefing, Information minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa said the move was part of the easing of restrictions at the back of the positive trajectory the COVID-19 infection pattern has taken lately even though she encouraged citizens to be vigilant to avoid unnecessary spread of the virus. Following representations from the Liquor Retailers’ Association seeking permission for liquor retailers to commence operations, Cabinet…
Read More2020 HIV Targets Won’t Be Met As COVID-19 Blows HIV Progress Away
A new report by UNAIDS shows remarkable, but highly unequal, progress, notably in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy. According to the report, the global HIV targets set for 2020 will not be reached because the achievements have not been shared equally within and between countries, HealthTimes The report, Seizing the moment, warns that even the gains made could be lost and progress further stalled if we fail to act. It highlights just how urgent it is for countries to double down and act with greater urgency to reach the millions…
Read MoreAnna Sango Joins Global Network of People Living With HIV
TRAILBLAZING and young HIV advocate, Anna Sango has joined the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) as the PLHIV Stigma Index advocacy officer. By Michael Gwarisa As an advocacy officer, Anna will be working closely with the team in providing technical assistance to countries implementing the PLHIV Stigma Index. She will focus on providing assistance to countries on how to turn the results of the PLHIV Stigma Index into advocacy actions. Commenting on her appointment, Anna said she was ready and rearing to go and she would give…
Read More#COVID-19Update: 182New Cases and 2Deaths reported in the last 24 hours
A total 182New Cases and 2Deaths reported in the last 24 hours. (7 day rolling average* for new cases further goes up to 114 from 100 yesterday). The Deaths were reported from Bulawayo• 416 PCR tests done today (positivity for today was 44%) •163 are local cases, 18 are returnees from SA and South Sudan(1). Harare reported 135cases: these again are from a backlog of samples collected over the last week which are now being processed. •82 total new recoveries reported: National Recovery rate stands at 75% and Active cases…
Read MoreMinistry of Health Restructuring Exercise To Prioritize Health Care Workers Welfare
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is currently undergoing an overhaul restructuring process which is meant to bring sanity to the country’s health sector which will see conditions of service for health workers improve, a top government official has said. By Michael Gwarisa The restructuring process has already claimed scalps of various top brass within he ministry and its departments. To date, several hospital Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), ministry department directors and other high-profile personnel have either been reassigned or resigned from their posts. Briefing Journalists today, Health…
Read MoreEmbalming COVID-19 Corpses Not Recommended, As WHO Releases New Guidelines For Managing Dead Bodies Under COVID-19
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned funeral services organizations and mortuary services facilities against embalming COVID-19 bodies as it still poses a risk of infection to unsuspecting staffers. By Michael Gwarisa In its new interim guidelines for Infection prevention and control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19 released on Friday, September 2020, the World Health Organisation said even though the risk of infection from a cadaver is very low, there is still risk should one get into contact with body secretions and…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Shuts Door To Infertile Women Seeking IVF Services In Zimbabwe
MAJORITY of women seeking In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services could not be assisted during the COVID-19 induced lockdown restrictions despite the fact that many could be racing against their biological clock. By Michael Gwarisa In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mwanachipo Africa Trust (MAT) Board Chairperson, Mr Heaven Munyuki said…
Read MoreCouples Who Sleep Naked Have A More Fulfilling Sexual Relationship
DO you sleep with your clothes on? Then it’s probably time you ditch those fabrics and start sleeping in your birthday suit. Sleeping naked as a couple could lead to a very healthy and intimate relationship between married couples according to scientific research. By Dr Love Ladies, especially African ladies come up with myths and stories to justify sleeping with their clothes on. “If I sleep naked, evil spirits will have sex with me in my sleep,” they say, while some believe that sleeping naked will allow air to enter…
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