Category: BREAKING NEWS

Panic Grips Zimbabwe’s HIV Community as Trump Pauses Pepfar Funding

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  A leaked internal memo obtained by the New York Times has revealed plans by the US State department to temporarily halt nearly all current foreign funding including that of Pepfar, a program that supplies most of the treatment for H.I.V. in Africa and developing countries worldwide. The action stems from President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid, which directs all government divisions with foreign development assistance programs to stop disbursing funds to countries and organizations until they can be reviewed. Pepfar is estimated to have delivered…

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Amref CEO Warns US Withdrawal from WHO Could Leave Africa Exposed to Health Crises

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amref Health Africa Group CEO, Dr. Githinji Gitahi, has raised concerns over the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to halt funding for the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Gitahi warns that the move could severely impact global health initiatives, leaving Africa particularly exposed. President Trump justified the U.S. withdrawal by criticizing WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises. As part of the decision, the U.S. plans to cease all financial contributions and formally exit WHO within 12 months. The United States has…

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Zim Ambassador To Zambia Extols Texila’s Health Education Initiatives

Michael Gwarisa

By Health Reporter  The Zimbabwean Ambassador to Zambia, Mrs. Charity Charamba, recently hosted the Founder and President of Texila American University (TAU), Mr. Saju Bhaskar, at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Lusaka. Accompanied by the TAU Zambia Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ajay Poddar, Mr. Bhaskar paid a courtesy call to the ambassador during his visit to Zambia from India. Ambassador Charamba commended Mr. Bhaskar for his significant investment in medical education, describing Texila’s facilities as impressive and highly conducive to learning. She further praised the university’s dedication to providing quality education, particularly…

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FDA Authorizes Marketing of 20 ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products after Extensive Scientific Review

Michael Gwarisa

By HealthTimes Reporter The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products through the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway following an extensive scientific review. This is the first time the agency has authorized products commonly referred to as nicotine pouches, which are small synthetic fiber pouches containing nicotine designed to be placed between a person’s gum and lip. The FDA determined that the specific products receiving marketing authorization met the public health standard legally required by the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. This standard…

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15 000 Zim livestock farmers benefit from LIPS-Zim initiative

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIP-ZIM) initiative has come to a halt having benefited 15 000 farmers in six Zimbabwean districts. The initiative funded by the European Union started in 2020 looking Mutoko, Buhera, Chiredzi, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Nkayi, Gokwe North, NyamiNyami. Officiating the close-out ceremony on Wednesday, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development permanent secretary Obert Jiri said the country managed to implement sustainable production systems while empowering farmers with requisite skills and resources needed in a ever-changing agricultural landscape. This occasion of…

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Breaking: Falsified Rabies Vaccine Floods Zimbabwe’s Black Market

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amid a surge in dog bite cases across Zimbabwe, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a stern warning about the proliferation of falsified rabies vaccine on the black market. Authorities caution that using this vaccine could lead to serious health risks in the near future. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines falsified medical products as products that are deliberately misrepresented in terms of their identity, composition, or source. The intent to deceive is the key distinction between falsified and substandard medical products. In a…

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#NEWSINBRIEF: Zim Nurses Now Required to Submit Tax Clearance for Registration, Renewal

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has announced that all nurses must produce a valid tax clearance certificate as part of their registration and renewal process. This directive aligns with Public Notice 92 of 2024, issued by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) on December 5, 2024. In a statement, the NCZ emphasized that health institutions and organizations are required to submit a list of their ZIMRA tax-cleared personnel to the council as a prerequisite for renewal. The NCZ further clarified that no practicing certificates will be issued…

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WHO Urges United States to Reconsider Withdrawal

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following United States President Donald Trump’s recent signing of an executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), the global health body has appealed to the US to rethink this decision. In a statement posted on its official Twitter (X) account, WHO expressed regret over the announcement, stating, “We hope the United States will reconsider, and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions…

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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak: Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Healthtimes

Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths. In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is…

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ZNFPC and SAYWHAT Unite to Boost Youth Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and rights for adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe. ZNFPC’s Director of Technical Services, Mercy Marimirofa, stated during the signing ceremony that the MoU would enable the two organizations to share research findings and address challenges faced by young people in accessing SRH services. The collaboration will also focus on…

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