Category: BREAKING NEWS

#JustIn: Tsikidzi/Bed bugs Outbreak Hit Mbare

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The City of Harare has confirmed an outbreak of bedbugs (tsikidzi) in the high-density suburb of Mbare, prompting authorities to launch an emergency pest control response starting Monday, 7 April 2025. Stanley Gama, the City’s Corporate Communications Manager, said the pest control teams have already been deployed to assess the extent of the infestation and mobilize necessary resources. He urged residents to fully cooperate with the exercise. We have confirmed the existence of a bedbug (tsikidzi) infestation in Mbare, and the City of Harare will immediately take…

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Zimbabwe Secures US$12M ARVs Amid Funding Cuts – Shipment Arrives in June

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere, recently in Chinhoyi With concerns mounting over potential shortages of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) following the United States Government’s funding cuts, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has reassured Zimbabweans that there will be no disruptions in supply. He confirmed that the government has already procured ARVs worth US$12 million, expected to arrive by the end of June. Speaking at a National AIDS Council (NAC) journalists’ workshop in Chinhoyi on Friday, Minister Mombeshora emphasized that the current stock would last until June, with additional procurement ensuring availability…

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Zimbabwe Medical Doctor Launches ColpoPen, An AI Tool To Screen Cervical Cancer

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe continues to lose over 1,000 women to cervical cancer annually, with data showing that an estimated 3,043 women are diagnosed with the disease each year. Despite this grim reality, access to screening services for women in Zimbabwe remains a challenge due to a myriad of factors, including lack of knowledge and awareness, inaccessible health services, the pain and discomfort of pelvic examinations, and societal stigma and discrimination. To boost cervical cancer screening, the government has introduced various interventions, including the use of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA…

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Health Ministry Warns Public Against Nurse Recruitment Scam

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued a stern warning to the public regarding fraudulent individuals posing as facilitators for nurse recruitment in Zimbabwe. According to the Ministry, scammers are exploiting aspiring nursing candidates by falsely claiming to secure their placements at various hospitals for a fee. The fraudulent scheme is reportedly being orchestrated by individuals using the names “Sister Madya” from the Outpatient Department (OPD) and “Dr. Madyira.” These individuals have been circulating a WhatsApp number (0773815136), alleging that they can assist potential candidates…

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Sensational Media Reports on ARVs Could Trigger Shortages, Warns Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, has assured the nation that there is no crisis regarding the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and that there is no need for panic. His statement comes amid growing anxiety among people living with HIV, some of whom have been approaching health facilities seeking refills beyond the stipulated three or six months. This follows the withdrawal of U.S. government health funding, which has supported HIV programs in Zimbabwe for years. Speaking at…

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My Age Joins the IPPF Family: A New Chapter for Sexual and Reproductive Health for Young People in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  In a major step forward for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy in Zimbabwe, My Age Zimbabwe has officially become a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). This milestone solidifies the organization’s role in championing youth-centered SRHR initiatives and expanding access to essential health services. After joining IPPF as a collaborative partner in 2023, My Age has now assumed full member status in 2025. This development places the youth-led organization within a global network of SRHR-focused associations working towards a common goal: ensuring…

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13 Zim Private Doctors & Health Facilities Blacklisted For HealthCare Fraud

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is witnessing a sharp rise in healthcare fraud, particularly within the private healthcare sector, with an estimated 1,577 cases reported in 2024, the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) has revealed. As a result, 13 service providers and medical doctors have been blacklisted, rendering them ineligible to offer services under medical aid schemes. AHFoZ Board Chairman Stanford Sisya, told HealthTimes that service providers are employing sophisticated methods to bypass systems and inflate claims for services that would otherwise cost less. “Yes, there are institutions and…

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WHO proposing to cut jobs and slash budget by a fifth, memo shows

Healthtimes

GENEVA, March 29 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO) is proposing to reduce staff numbers and the scale of its work as it slashes its budget by just over one fifth due to the impact of U.S. funding cuts, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration withdrew from the WHO upon taking office in January, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. The U.S. is by far the U.N. health agency’s biggest financial backer, contributing…

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CodeBaby Partners with the Society of Jesus to Revolutionize Healthcare Access in the Dominican Republic

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  Milwaukee, WI — [March 26, 2025] — CodeBaby, a leader in conversational AI and digital avatars, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) to enhance healthcare delivery in the Dominican Republic. PrimarAIcare introduces state-of-the-art healthcare avatars designed to bridge the communication gap between patients and physicians in remote locations, significantly expediting access to medical care. This innovative project will deploy digital avatars across 160 remote sites, providing communities with an efficient and reliable means to communicate patient symptoms, medical history, and vital signs electronically.…

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Zimbabwe Commissions Polio Laboratory to Strengthen Surveillance

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has commissioned a newly renovated polio laboratory to enhance the analysis of polio samples collected through environmental surveillance (ES), a move set to significantly reduce turnaround time for results. Previously, Zimbabwe faced delays of up to 21 days as samples were sent to neighboring South Africa for testing. The new facility, established with financial and technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is equipped with state-of-the-art testing technology and staffed by highly trained personnel. Commissioning the laboratory at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, Dr. Raiva Simbi,…

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