BREAKING NEWS |

First Line ART For Paediatrics Expected Soon

December 17, 2019 Healthtimes

ABACAVIR/LAMIVUDINE, an antiretroviral regimen is expected into the country anytime soon, HealthTimes has learnt. By Kudakwashe Pembere Since 2013 World Health Organisation(WHO) Guidelines have recommended Abacavir/Lamivudine (ABC/3TC) as the preferred nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) backbone in first-line ART in children ages 3-10years and as one of two preferred NRTI backbones for first line in infants and children ages 0-3 years. NatPharm Operations Manager Mr Charles Mwaramba in an interview said, “Last time I heard, we learnt that medicine should arrive.” He however didn’t have the latest update since they have…

Extreme Mulnutrition Stalks Low &Middle Income Countries

December 16, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

A four year-paper report published in The Lancet reveals that there is increasing undernutrition and obesity in low and middle income countries owing to rapid changes in countries’ food systems. According to the report, more than a third of such countries had overlapping forms of malnutrition (45 of 123 countries in the 1990s, and 48 of 126 countries in the 2010s), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, and east Asia and the Pacific. Undernutrition and obesity can lead to effects across generations as both maternal undernutrition and obesity are associated…

Zim Maternal Mortality Rate Drops

December 12, 2019December 13, 2019 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE’S maternal mortality rate dropped to 462 per 100 000 live births from the previous 614 per 100 000 live births recorded in 2014, the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019 found. By Kudakwashe Pembere Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth, per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on fertility, birth attendants, and HIV prevalence. UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Representative Laylee Moshiri said this was the third MICS for Zimbabwe with the first and second done…

Traditional Chiefs Rebuke GBV

December 10, 2019December 21, 2019 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE’S traditional religious leaders have defended their culture saying it does not condone gender based violence. By Kudakwashe Pembere This emerged during an SRHR Africa Trust (SAT) organized dialogue marking the end of the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence. At a time when the blame is always thrown at traditional leaders, the chiefs said they yearn to work with organisations well versed in this controversial issue. Chief Chimoyo from Mashonaland East Province said these organisations will capacitate them in handling such issues. “Every time we sit for…

Fake Malaria Drugs Kill 158,000 Yearly In Africa

December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

A recent study indicates that at least 158,000 people die as a result of fake malaria drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa every year owing to lack of a response mechanisms seen in other parts of the world, including supply chain regulation, track-and-trace technology and enforcement regimes. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 42% of detected cases of substandard or falsified pharmaceuticals occurred in Africa. Research findings from a study by the European Union-funded ENACT project on the threat of counterfeight drugs in Africa indicate that Globalisation has made it harder…

2019 Top 10 Health Champions

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

IT’S that time of the year once again where we appreciate and honour those who sacrificed their time, resources and life to the good cause of advancing quality health services in various communities around the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently in the doldrums and only a miracle of double proportion can resurrect this ailing industry. The year 2019 was characterised by massive job actions by health personnel, lack of sundries and hospital equipment to mention just a few challenges. However, despite these challenges, some individuals remained…

Child Adoption On The Rise In Zimbabwe

December 7, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWEANS seem to be embracing the concept of adoption as a form of parenting following rigorous awareness campaigns by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to demystify misconceptions surrounding the practice. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mutare Presenting at the REPSSI organised Journalists Orientation workshop on Child reporting in Mutare, Child Protection Officer in the Ministry of Social Welfare, Mrs Patience Nhire said the Zimbabwean society was slowly moving away from traditional negative beliefs against adoption. In the past, adoption used to be taboo in Zimbabwe as a result…

NBSZ Clears Air On Blood User Fees

December 4, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has assured citizens that blood and blood products are still free in all public health institutions. By Michael Gwarisa The call follows a blood price list which is making rounds on social media suggesting that the blood blank has increased blood user fees in all health institutions. In a statement, NBSZ Public Affairs manager, Ms Esther Massundah said the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) made an adjustment to the user fees of blood using the interbank rate which will see a unit of…

Harare Pregnant Women To Pay ZW$1 900 For Caesarean Section

November 27, 2019November 27, 2019 Healthtimes

EXPECTING mothers requiring caesarean section at Harare City Health facilities will now have to cough up ZW$1 877. By Kudakwashe Pembere The previous charge for this procedure was pegged at ZW$525. Presenting the 2020 Harare City Budget, Council’s finance and development committee chairperson Mr Luckson Mukunguma said other charges remain unchanged. “Hospital and clinic fees will remain as per 2019 rate to promote access to health by all except for caesarean section fees, which have been increased to ensure effective service delivery in this particular area. It is expected that…

Senior Doctors Summoned For Disciplinary Hearings

November 27, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has summoned at least 57 senior doctors who downed tools yesterday demanding the reinstatement of the 488 junior doctors who have been fired by government to date. By Michael Gwarisa Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) president Dr Shingai Nyaguse told HealthTimes this morning that government was not acting in good faith but was instead pursuing retribution. Instead of addressing our concerns, they have summoned senior doctors to disciplinary hearings instead. It is unfortunate that they have focused on the punitive disciplinary measures and have done nothing to address the…