Category: BREAKING NEWS

#COVID-19: Zim Should Adopt SMART Lockdown Model- Health Policy Expert Warns

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE should desist from copying and pasting other countries’ COVID-19 containment measures and adopt a SMART lockdown model peculiar to the country’s health and economic demands, a top health policy expert has warned. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe instituted its initial lockdown on March 30, 2020 before extending it by another two weeks. President Emmerson Mnangagwa also extended the lockdown by another 14 days  which will be ending in a few days’ time though under much relaxed conditions. However, Zimbabwe has in the past few weeks been accused of replicating South…

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Journalist Donates Food Hampers To Starving Epworth Households

Healthtimes

ONLINE news publication, ZimboLive.TV Journalist, Brighton Gumbodete today donated an assortment of food hampers to vulnerable households in Epworth, Harare. HealthTimes Reporter According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Zimbabwe is likely to record a sharp increase in the number of urban households in need of food assistance due to the drought induced hunger. The COVID-19 induced lockdown has also disrupted livelihoods and their capacity to generate income and bring food on the table. In interview with HealthTimes, Gumbodete said it was their charity arm, Devine Might Foundation International’s initiative…

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#JUSTIN:Nurses Protest Flexi-Hours Removal, Threaten Strike

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), has shot down government’s decision to scrap the flexible working hours arrangement during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period citing worsened incapacitation amongst a  host of other woes. By Michael Gwarisa The flexi-hours system was implemented early this year to cushion nurses who had gone on a strike owing to poor wages and high costs of living. In a recent letter addressed some public health institutions, all members of staff were immediately required to return to work and resume normal duties. According to government, the flexi…

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WHO calls for clinical trial of Madagascar’s virus cure

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday called for clinical trials of Madagascar’s Covid Organics, a herbal drink that is said to prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. SOURCE: A.A News We are advising the government of Madagascar to take this product through a clinical trial and we are prepared to collaborate with them,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa, told a joint media briefing with the WHO and World Economic Forum. “We would caution and advise countries against adopting a product that has…

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#BREAKING: Zim Sitting On A Post COVID-19 Mental Health Time Bomb

Michael Gwarisa
DEPRESSED AFRICAN LADY (pic by Huffington post)

MENTAL health expert and Psychologist, Dr Kudakwashe Muchena has warned of a serious mental health crisis post the COVID-19 induced lockdown at the back of economic and social uncertainties that have been brought about by the prevailing COVID-19 health crisis. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Muchena said Zimbabwe had already been experiencing high suicide and mental health cases before the COVID-19 struck and the prevailing health crisis would likely worsen an already fragile mental health environment. We are sitting on a time-bomb, whilst all the focus…

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US$84.9 Mln Urgently Needed To Support Zim National COVID-19 Response

Healthtimes

 THE  United Nations and partners launched an updated Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) in New York requesting for US$6.7 billion to protect millions of lives and stem the spread of coronavirus in fragile countries. Launching the updated GHRP, UN Humanitarian Chief, Mark Lowcock called for swift and determined action to avoid the most destabilizing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised GHRP includes nine additional vulnerable countries: Benin, Djibouti, Liberia, Mozambique, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zimbabwe, and programmes to respond to the growth in food insecurity. In…

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#BREAKING: US Gvt Approves US$230 Mln To Fight HIV In Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

THE United States has approved more than $230 million to support the fight against HIV in Zimbabwe and achieve epidemic control through a comprehensive package of prevention, treatment and support services. Ambassador Brian A. Nichols made the announcement on April 30 following the approval of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Country Operational Plan for 2020 (COP 2020). The $230,373,521 plan, which would begin on October 1, 2020 and run through September 30, 2021, is now awaiting approval by U.S. Congress. This commitment represents a significant increase…

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#COVID-19: Zim Cargo Truck Drivers Demand Risk Allowance and Health Insurance From Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Union of Transport Workers of Zimbabwe (NUTWZ) has written to government demanding payment of risk allowances and the setting up of  a special health insurance arrangement for truck drivers ferrying cargo to and from Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 induced national Lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa In a letter addressed to the The Chairperson Covid19 Taskforce in the Office Of The President and Cabinet, NUTWZ, Mr N Gwande said even though the  union appreciates the unenviable work being done by the taskforce to manage the covid19 virus, there was…

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#JUSTIN: Gvt Appoints New NAC Board

Michael Gwarisa

MINISTER of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Obadiah Moyo has appointed an eight member board for the National Aids Council (NAC). By Michael Gwarisa The previous NAC board was terminated in March of 2019, barely a year after it was appointed owing to numerous irregularities and concerns by stakeholders on appointment of the board, which was deemed improper and not appointed according to procedure. The new board will be chaired by Mrs Margaret Mehlomakhulu and she will be deputised by Mr Phillip Francis Moses. Matthew Mare comes in ion…

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#LETSDISCUSS: Zim Goes For Consecutive Six Days Without New COVID-19 Case, Is Zim Winning The COVID-19 Battle?

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has gone for the past six days without recording any single case of COVID-19, if the daily updates from the ministry of health and child care (MoHCC) are anything to go by. According to the MoHCC, Zimbabwe currently has 34 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since last week Thursday. Figures had to be revised downwards Saturday evening from 40 to 34  after rigorous PCR tets had been conducted. QUESTION? Has Zimbabwe successfully managed to flatten the curve of covid-19 infection?

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