Category: BREAKING NEWS

Gvt Criticised For Dumping COVID-19 Expenses On Citizens

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has taken a swipe at government for imposing mandatory testing and wearing of face masks for citizens and employees without putting in place measures to ensure the services are available to citizens at subsidized rates or no cost at all. By Michael Gwarisa A survey conducted by HealthTimes indicates that a COVID-19 test at a private health facility is within the range of US$25 and US$50 per worker whereas in some instances, some facilities are charging between US$60 and US$70 per employee. According…

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United States assistance to Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 national response now exceeds US$6 million

Healthtimes

THROUGH the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has committed US$3 million from the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 National Preparedness and Response Plan. HealthTimes Reporter This new donation brings to over US$6 million the total amount that the United States has committed to the fight against COVID-19 in Zimbabwe, while continuing to respond to the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. CDC will award the new funding in early May 2020 through existing CDC Zimbabwe implementing…

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Mandatory Rapid Testing For All Employees As Economy Partially Opens

Healthtimes

MINISTER of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo, during a media briefing yesterday, announced Government’s plans for a mandatory Covid-19 rapid testing for all employees in order to combat the spread of the viral disease. In order to test more people, Government has included mission and local authority health institutions to carry out Covid-19 testing. “Designated Government, mission hospitals and local authority institutions that conduct routine screening and medical examinations for workers will now also conduct COVID rapid testing,” said Dr Moyo. Dr Moyo said the decentralisation process has…

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Murombedzi Elected National Chairperson For Zim Women Living With HIV Forum

Michael Gwarisa

AWARD winning health journalist and HIV activist, Catherine Murombedzi has been elected National Chairperson for the Zimbabwe Women Living with HIV National Forum (ZWLWHNF). By Michael Gwarisa Murombedzi is deputised by 25 year old Phyllis Mavushe, a former USAID and PEPFAR DREAMS ambassador from Gweru who was unaminously elected vice chairperson. I am humbled by the trust exhibited by women to have lead the Zimbabwe Women living with HIV national forum (ZWLWHNF). I salute you all. A dream actioned becomes a reality” said Murombedzi. The idea from a few women…

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#JUSTIN: ED Extends Lockdown By Another 14 Days…Relaxes Restrictions For Formal Sector

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a partial relaxation of the National Lockdown to level 2 starting Monday, May 4, 2020. By Michael Gwarisa He said the relaxation will be observed for the next 14 days but strict public requirements such as mandatory wearing of face masks, among other measures will be observed. Gyms, churches and other recreational services remain closed. The informal sector ie. Mshikashika, vending etc remain closed. More details to follow…

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CWGH Salutes Zim Front-line Health Workers Fighting COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group On Health (CWGH) has paid tribute to health workers at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle despite Zimbabwe’s health delivery system being in shambles. By Michael Gwarisa In their workers day solidarity day message, CWGH Executive Director Mr Itai Rusike said it was high time government recognizes health workers and pay meaningful and livable wages. This year’s national Worker’s Day theme; “Stop Covid-19 Pandemic: Scale up social protection and dialogue, save jobs and pay a living wage”, befits the current environment which emphasizes stopping the spread…

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Call To Investigate China & WHO Over COVID-19 Spread Justified Says US Ambassador To Zim

Michael Gwarisa

CHINA was not sincere in reporting its Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections when the pandemic broke out in Wuhan, hence the need for a probe into China and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) hand in the prevailing global health crisis, United States (US) envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Brian Nicholas has said. By Michael Gwarisa ` Ambassador Nicholas said this during an interview with ZIFM Stereo, a local radio station. He said President Donal Trump was justified to call for an inquest into China and the WHO as they both did not act…

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Traditional Healers Call For Collaboration With Scientists To Fight COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE National Practitioners Association (ZINPA) president, Mr Friday Chishanyu has called for genuine collaboration between traditional medicines practitioners and scientists in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the globe. By Michael Gwarisa According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, 80 percent of the global population rely on traditional medicines for treatment and 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s population also rely on indigenous medicines. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chishanyu  said even though they can’t claim to have a cure for COVID-19, a number of…

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OPHID Intensifies Fight Against Double Burden of HIV & COVID-19 In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE Organisation for Public Health Inventions and Development (OPHID) has ramped up efforts to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Zimbabwe through provision of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) as well as Antiretroviral Treatment drugs reshipments  for those living with HIV inside COVID-19 isolation centres. By Michael Gwarisa OPHID is one of the three clinical partners that have been selected by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to implement CIVID-19 related interventions from the recent US$150 000 PEPFAR grant. OPHID has also set up satellite…

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COVID-19 Pandemic Could Leave 47 Million Women Without Access To Contraceptives Says UNFPA

Michael Gwarisa
Young Preganant Women

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) a United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency has predicted a calamitous impact on women’s health as COVID-19 pandemic continues amidst indications that globally, more than 47 million women could lose access to contraception, leading to 7 million unintended pregnancies in the coming months. By Michael Gwarisa As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the number of women unable to access family planning, facing unintended pregnancies, gender-based violence and other harmful practices could skyrocket by millions of cases in the months ahead, according to data…

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