Category: BREAKING NEWS

Dolutegravir ARV Drug Linked To Spike In Obesity and Hypertension In Zimbabwe’s People Living With HIV-New Study

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Significant weight gain and a high incidence of Hypertension cases have been picked among Zimbabweans Living with HIV who switched to Dolutegravir (DTG), based, efavirenz (EFV)-based and ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r)-based Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Zimbabwe. A longitudinal study conducted by Zimbabwe’s renowned Clinical Scientist and Laboratory expert, Tinei Shmu et al which sought to explore  “Body weight and blood pressure changes on dolutegravir-, efavirenz- or atazanavir-based antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe” gathered that the Zimbabwe’s HIV response now faces an increased burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The study…

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Facts About Vaccine Derived-Polio Virus Circulating In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In November 2023, Zimbabwe’s environmental surveillance system picked a vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV) strain, circulating in the sewage system in Harare’s high density suburbs namely Budiriro, Mbare and Mufakose.  A similar variant was detected in a 10-year-old child from Sanyati District in Mashonaland, West Province. The child has since developed paralysis following the Polio infection. Two other children in Mbare have had the same strain detected in them despite the absence of paralysis developing in either of them. Over the past few days, the Ministry of…

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New Report Details Huge Malaria Vaccine Gap

Michael Gwarisa

10 million potential doses will go unordered and unused in 2024. African nations must demonstrate demand for the lifesaving R21 vaccine. LUSAKA — 1Day Africa is releasing its latest comprehensive report on the status of the R21 vaccine rollout. The report highlights the consequences of the shortfall in ordered doses, what can still be done to accelerate the vaccine’s deployment, and what role African nations and Western funders must play to maximize the vaccine’s impact. The R21 vaccine has rightfully been heralded as a major step forward in the fight…

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Single Dose Oral Cholera Vaccine Strategy Bears Fruit On the African Continent

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following indications of Global Shortages of the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV), the International Coordinating Group (ICG), the body which manages emergency supplies of vaccines announced a temporary suspension of the standard two-dose vaccination regimen in cholera outbreak response campaigns, using instead a single-dose approach. Despite fears from countries currently battling Cholera, the one-dose strategy has proven to be effective in responding to outbreaks, even though evidence on the exact duration of protection is limited, and protection appears to be much lower in children.  With a two-dose regimen,…

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Wearing Tight-Fitting Pants Increases Risk of Infertility in Men- Zim Doctor Warns

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Tight underwear, boxers or pants generate so much heat that could literary overheat the sperm and compromise sperm quality, a top Obstetrician and researcher, has warned. His warning comes in the wake of evidence of a notable increase in the prevalence of infertility in men over the years, amid a growing fashion trend where slim-fit or tight-fitting clothes have become trendy. Data from a cross-section study by Dr Mugove Madziyire et al which explored “The causes of infertility in women presenting to gynecology clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe”…

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Zim Spectacles Medical Aid Claims Balloon To ZW$10 Billion

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The prevailing inflationary environment has eroded the value of local currency-denominated medical aid packages, resulting in claims for Spectacles going through the ceiling over the past 12 months. While the volume of annual spectacle claims has been declining over the period 2021 to 2023, the same cannot be said about the values of both foreign currency and local currency-denominated spectacle claims. Speaking in an exclusive interview with HealthTimes, Association of Healthcare Funders Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Shylet Sanyanga said volumes of annual spectacles claims have…

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CDC Appoints Dr Robyn Neblett Fanfair Permanent Director HIV Prevention Division

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the appointment of Captain Robyn Neblett Fanfair as director in the HIV Prevention division. Since August 2022, Dr. Fanfair has been at the helm of the Division as Acting Director, and will continue to provide her scientific leadership and expertise to manage, direct and coordinate the work of the Division to reduce new HIV infections, advance health equity, and improve the health of people with HIV. Announcing the appointment, Dr Jonathan H. Mermin, Director National Center for…

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Call to remove VAT and import duty in condom procurement

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Organizations in condom programming and distribution have called for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duty on private sector condoms noting it will them more affordable. In separate statements commemorating International Condom Day, Population Services for Health (PSH) and AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF) Zimbabwe said the removal will improve availability of condoms to the public. With condoms playing a major role in preventing HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies, there are public sector condoms which are availed for free mainly in public…

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Helmsley pledge $2.19 million to help end blinding disease in Zambia

Michael Gwarisa

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has joined Sightsavers in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with a grant of US$2.19 million to help eliminate the blinding disease in Zambia. The funding was announced at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum in Dubai where a total of $777m US dollars were pledged to help fight the 21 conditions classed as NTDs. Trachoma begins as a bacterial infection, with symptoms similar to conjunctivitis. But repeated infections cause scarring that makes people’s eyelashes turn inwards and scrape…

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Malawi Records Viral Conjunctivitis Outbreak

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter Kalonga District in the northern parts of Malawi has recorded several cases of Viral Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye, a common, self-limiting condition that typically is caused by adenovirus. According  to Medscape, other viruses that can be responsible for conjunctival infection include herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), picornavirus (enterovirus 70, Coxsackie A24), poxvirus (molluscum contagiosum, vaccinia), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). David Sibale, Director of Health Services Kalonga District Council said a total 109 cases have already been recorded in the district since February 1, 2024.…

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