BREAKING NEWS |

Subscribers Ditch PSMAS

July 10, 2017July 11, 2017 Healthtimes

Staff Reporter PREMIER Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) is currently experiencing a massive exodus of subscribers owing to the continued decline is quality service among a host of other ills bedeviling the medical aid firm. PSMAS board chair Jeremiah Bvirindi recently told The Daily News that the company was experiencing a myriad of woes chief among them being the massive decline in revenue which has gone down by $8 million owing to a decrease in the subscriber base. “The subscription income went down from $250 million to $242 million. The cash…

Iron Deficiency Common In Zim Toddlers and Pregnant Woman

July 6, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa LACK of proper nutrients in foods consumed in Zimbabwe has led to a surge in iron deficiency and anemia cases amongst toddlers and pregnant woman, a ministry of health official has said. Presenting during a Communication for Development discussion on the implementation of the National Nutrition Communication Strategy organised by UNICEF today, Nutritionist in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dexter Chagwena said cases of malnutrition in toddlers and pregnant women were high in Zimbabwe hence the need for food fortification. “Food fortification involves including minute levels…

Female Condom Uptake Still Low

July 5, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa UPTAKE of female condoms is currently at 0.1% owing to a myriad of factors chief among them being cultural and religious beliefs, HealthTimes has learnt. Briefing a Media Workshop organised by UNFPA in Kadoma this morning, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Assistant Director Evaluation and Research Lovejoy Gamba said they intend to reduce teenage pregnancies from 24% to 12% by 2020. “The ZNFPC aims to increase Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) from 59% to 68% and reduce teenage pregnancy from the current 24% to 125 by 2020.…

Another Journalist, Sophia Chese Dies

July 5, 2017July 5, 2017 Healthtimes

Staff Reporter Zimpapers Arts reporter, Sophia Chese has died, she was 27. Details to follow…… May her dear soul rest in eternal peace. From the healthTimes team

Another EarthQuake Hits Botswana, Is Zimbabwe Safe?

July 4, 2017July 4, 2017 Healthtimes

Staff Reporter BARELY three months after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Botswana, another one ranging M 4.9 has struck again today , leaving Botswana citizens in a state of shock. In a recent post by the Botswana Government facebook page, the earthquake occurred around 11:37 AM today some 137 Kilometres of Lethlakane. “The US Geological Survey (USGS) International earthquake tracking centre has confirmed readings of 4.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred at 11:37 AM today some 137 km SSW of Letlhakane, in the Central District, Botswana 2017-07-04 1:37:05 (CAT) local time.…

Teen Pregnancies Rock Chimanimani

July 4, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa A total of 237 teenage girls have given birth at Mutambara Mission Hospital since the beginning of the year. Briefing ministry of health officials and donors, officials at the Hospital confirmed the sad development and blamed the presence of illegal miners in the Rusitu and Hotsprings areas. “Teen pregnancies is a major challenge in Chimanimani district, 237 teenagers have given birth Mutambara mission hospital since January. “Mutsvangwa, Rusitu & Hotsprings are hot spots in teen preg in Chimanimani district mostly because of illegal mining activities in these areas. Mutambara…

DRC Ebola outbreak declared over

July 3, 2017 Healthtimes

SOUREC: 3-mob The small outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic of Congo is over, according to the World Health Organisation. Four people died and four survived after infection in what was the first outbreak since the 2014-2016 West African one that claimed 11,000 lives. It has been 42 days since the last known case. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “With the end of this epidemic, DRC has once again proved to the world that we can control the very deadly Ebola virus if we respond early in a coordinated and…

Rampant post-natal depression among Zim women

July 3, 2017 Healthtimes

By Kudakwashe Pembere About 30percent of Zimbabwean women undergoing the 6 week post-natal checkups suffer from post-natal depression, a mental health expert said on Friday. Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth which can affect both sexes. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, crying episodes, and irritability. Speaking on an SFM show, Dr Dixon Chibanda said this condition is common among Zimbabwean mothers. “Post-natal depression is highly prevalent in Zimbabwe. Studies that we…

Zim’s Aids Levy charms Uganda

July 3, 2017 Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter Zimbabwe’s AIDS Levy has captivated Uganda which wants to copy the model as a way of coming up with own healthcare funding model. Realising the massive contributions made by mobile network operators to the fiscus, Zimbabwe instituted a 5% tax on all mobile data and call charges, which goes straight into the Aids Levy to help combat HIV/Aids. Uganda’s expression of copying Zimbabwe’s Aids Levy comes at a time when African nations are coming up with alternative healthcare funding models which are homegrown other than donor funding.…

Zim Doctors Call For Abortion Legalisation

June 28, 2017 Healthtimes

Staff Reporter THE Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZDHR) has called for the repealing of the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1997 which barres women from engaging in wilful termination of pregnancy outside prescribed circumstances. According to the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1997 [Chapter 15:10], no woman is allowed to terminate pregnancy willingly unless under scenarios such as rape, incest and medical complications. In a statement, ZDHR said the ACT was doing more harm than good to the majority of young women who are losing lives in the process…