Category: BREAKING NEWS

Drug and Substance Abuse Hits Zimbabwe’s Working Class Hard

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwaris Contrary to the common belief that drug and substance abuse primarily affects unemployed youth and adolescents, recent data reveals that Zimbabwe’s working class faces a similarly high incidence of substance use. According to national data, males represent the majority of mental health cases linked to drug and substance use, underscoring the severe impact on mental health among this demographic. You find that the working class in Zimbabwe also has a high usage of illicit drugs and substances. Adolescents have a 37 percent rate of drug and substance…

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Zimbabwe Among 17 African Nations to Receive WHO and Africa CDC Support for Targeted Mpox Vaccine Rollout

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has been selected as one of 17 African countries to receive targeted support for mpox vaccine development, a major initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The initiative aims to bolster vaccine preparedness and deployment efforts across the continent, with a focus on effectively reaching populations most at risk of mpox. Other countries benefiting from this support include Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,…

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Rising STI Cases Threaten to Reverse HIV Gains in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The surge in new Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is a clear indication that Zimbabweans may be engaging in unprotected sex, a trend that could reverse the HIV gains recorded so far, top health officials have warned. Between January and June 2024, Zimbabwe recorded the highest number of new STI cases, with some infections showing resistance to available antibiotics. This was confirmed by Mr. Sinokuthemba Xaba, the National Condom and Male Circumcision Coordinator in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), during a media training session for…

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PSH Takes A Stand Against Drug And Substance Abuse In Harare

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Taking the fight against a disturbing trend of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe were Chadcombe and Msasa Park residents who held a campaign against this scourge in partnership with Faith Ministries International Chadcombe, alongside Population Solutions for Health (PSH), the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN). Gogo Rwasunda a resident in Masasa Park told this publication  she had to attend the event as her son is battling with drug and substance misuse. She resonated with the motto, “The Strength is in you to turn down…

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Ivory Medical Unveils CannaQure: Zimbabwe’s New Frontier in Medicinal Cannabis

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Ivory Medical, a leading Zimbabwean healthcare company, has launched CannaQure, a new line of cannabis-based medicinal products, at a high-profile event held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. This marks a groundbreaking step in Zimbabwe’s healthcare landscape as Ivory Medicinal introduces cannabis-based solutions designed to relieve symptoms of chronic pain, stress, and sleep issues. CannaQure products, rich in Cannabidiol (CBD) and free from psychoactive effects, offer Zimbabweans a natural, alternative path to wellness without inducing a “high.” Developed to adhere to the Medicines Control Authority of…

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Zim Women Suffering in Silence Due to Cyberbullying

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Women should know the legal remedies available in legal instruments to take action against cyberbullying and online harassment perpetrators. This comes amidst findings that a lot of women were ignorant of such which has seen them suffer in silence mentally and at times even physically. A feminist solidarity workshop held in Harare recently sought to come up with recommendations on the effective implementation of laws and policies that protect women from online violence. It was organized by the Women’s Action Group (WAG), graced by guests from Women’s…

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COVID-19 Remains a Top Cause of Acute Respiratory Infections in Zimbabwe, Study Finds

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Although COVID-19 is no longer classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), in Zimbabwe, the virus still accounts for a significant number of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) cases across the country. This insight emerged during a presentation of key findings from a study conducted by Mutala Trust, a leading research organization in Zimbabwe, which focused on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses. According to the research, the burden of respiratory diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children aged zero to 60…

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The intrinsic role of nutrition during breast cancer treatment

Healthtimes

By Caroline Chiimba Breast cancer is a disease that affects millions of women and a percentage of men globally, and the role of nutrition in breast cancer treatment cannot be understated. A healthy diet can play a crucial role in supporting the body’s immune system, managing side effects of treatment, and promoting overall well-being during and after treatment. While the Breast cancer awareness month is coming to an end, the fight against cancer continues. Ruvimbo Danda, a renowned dietitian cited that cancer treatment can negatively affect one’s health due to…

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UNFPA Regional Director to Visit Zimbabwe for High-Level Meetings and Program Evaluations

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Director, Lydia Zigomo will visit Zimbabwe to engage with government officials and partners on critical health and social initiatives, with the goal of advancing health, gender equality, and education across the country. During the visit, the Regional Director will attend the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers of Health and Ministers responsible for HIV and AIDS, which will be held in Harare. The director’s mission to Zimbabwe also seeks to strengthen partnerships between UNFPA and the Government of Zimbabwe and to…

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Zimbabwean Innovators Win Cimas Healthathon with Epilepsy Monitoring App

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  Two young Zimbabweans have embarked on a mission to transform the nation’s healthcare landscape with a new digital tool, the Epi App. The innovation aims to provide real-time monitoring for epilepsy patients, potentially reducing the life-altering risks associated with the disorder. The mobile application, developed by Munashe Dube, a Bioengineering student at the University of Zimbabwe, and Lincoln Casette, an Electronics Engineering graduate from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), took the spotlight as the grand prize winner at the 2024 Cimas Healthathon. Epilepsy, a neurological disorder…

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