Category: BREAKING NEWS

WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use, boosting global access

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, an important step in improving global access to mpox testing. The approval for emergency use of the Alinity m MPXV assay, manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply. Early diagnosis of mpox enables timely treatment and care, and control of the virus. Limited testing capacity…

Read More

Ghana To Host ICASA 2025

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) is delighted to announce that Ghana has been selected as the host country for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), which will take place in from 3rd to 8th December 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This prestigious event will convene global leaders, community, researchers, advocates, and healthcare professionals to further the continent’s fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, Hepatitis, Malaria, TB, emerging viral infections and strengthening Africa’s Health systems. Since its inception…

Read More

Zimbabwe’s Sibongile Mlambo Appointed as Rotary’s Celebrity Ambassador to Promote Global Health and Peace

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter EVANSTON, Ill., USA (October  6th , 2024) – Rotary International today launched its celebrity ambassador program, welcoming Kat Graham, for many years Rotary’s first ambassador and Archie Panjabi, Rotary’s first ambassador for a polio-free world. Sibongile Mlambo and Gaby Moreno are Rotary’s inaugural members for 2024-2025. Rotary brings together people of action from all continents and cultures who deliver real, long-term solutions to the world’s most persistent issues. Together with its celebrity ambassadors, Rotary aims to engage new leaders and change-makers from around the globe who can…

Read More

WHO adds an HPV vaccine for single-dose use

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter WHO announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin® has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule. The decision is made based on new data on the product that fulfilled the criteria set out in the WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules. This important milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines—allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer. Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to eliminate…

Read More

Zimbabwe’s HPV Vaccination Coverage Nosedives

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage is failing to recover from the harsh effects of the COVID-19 era with data showing that the country is off-trail and coverage has plummeted to record low levels. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told this publication on the side-lines of the World Health Day and Expanded Programme on Immunization’s (EPI) golden jubilee commemorations held in Harare on Thursday the pandemic affected school-to-school HPV vaccination campaigns. Yes, there was a drop but this was mainly because of COVID outbreak.…

Read More

Zim’s immunization programmes reduce neonatal mortality by 51 percent

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Vaccines used for the immunization of children have been credited for saving six lives for every minute Zimbabweans with the country seeing a 51 percent drop in neonatal mortality. This the Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told journalists after World Health Day and Expanded Programme on Immunization’s (EPI) golden jubilee commemorations held in Harare on Thursday. The EPI is still aiming to prevent more preventable diseases where vaccines are available. As you have heard, vaccines have life. Vaccines are having six lives every minute.…

Read More

Media A Key Stakeholders In Communicating SDGs Progress

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to localise Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Zimbabwean government through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare through support from the UNDP Zimbabwe office, has embarked on efforts to capacitate local Journalists on reporting on the SDGs. In his opening remarks, Public Service permanent secretary, Mr Simon Masanga said capacitating media was crucial in communicating the SDGs message. The role of media in shaping public discourse and driving engagement around sustainable development issues cannot be overstated,” said Mr Masanga. He added…

Read More

‘Child care centres preserve children’s health in informal employment settings’

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Amidst the rising informal employment in Zimbabwe, it is important to establish child care centres for the health and safety of children, experts and advocates said Tuesday. This came out during Validation Workshop for a Diagnostic Assessment on Provision of Care Services Through Cooperatives and Other Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) Entities. A five-month country-level assessment done between October 2023 and March 2024 modeled after those conducted in Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Colombia, was implemented in Zimbabwe, with a particular emphasis on Harare. Experts and…

Read More

Local telehealth service provider teams up with US based company

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimsmart Villages, a telehealth service provider and an American based company, the Samp Group have signed a partnership dubbed The Samp Zimsmart Villages Initiative in a move that is set improve health service delivery via telehealth services in Zimbabwean. The partnership will see the establishment of 150 telehealth kiosks and 750 booths over the next two years. Samp Group is a multifaceted global organization renowned for the globalization of cricket. I really like this concept as it can also fit in with us because I am based…

Read More

Tshiamiso Trust Seeks Zimbabwean Service Providers To Expand Silicosis and TB Compensation

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Tshiamiso Trust, established to provide compensation to former mineworkers suffering permanent lung impairment from silicosis or work-related TB, is seeking qualified service providers in Zimbabwe to assist claimants in the country. Following productive discussions with the Zimbabwean government, the Tshiamiso Trust is poised to begin processing compensation claims for ex-Wenela mineworkers. A memorandum of  nderstanding (MOU) has been extensively discussed, with a final draft currently under review and expected to be signed soon, paving the way for these claims to be processed. Tshiamiso Trust CEO, Dr…

Read More