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Global Fund Appeals for Support Ahead of 8th Replenishment, Calls for African Ownership of HIV Programs

October 23, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban The Global Fund last night took to the platform at the ongoing 4th CPHIA Conference in Durban, South Africa, to call for support towards the 8th Replenishment, aimed at strengthening HIV programs amid shrinking donor support. The Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment is a campaign launched in 2025 to raise 18 billion US dollars to fight HIV, TB, and malaria between 2027 and 2029. The 8th cycle aims to save 23 million lives, avert 400 million infections, reduce mortality by 64% compared to 2023, and strengthen…

Scientists Converge in Record Numbers as 2025 CPHIA Opens in Durban

October 23, 2025October 23, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Durban, South Africa Registration data show that approximately 800 scientists and researchers from various scientific disciplines had registered for participation by the opening day of the 2025 Conference for Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) in Durban, South Africa. The conference runs from October 22 to 25, 2025 under the theme “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa.” It is aimed at deliberating on numerous issues affecting healthcare. Officiating at the opening ceremony of the 4th CPHIA, South Africa’s Deputy Minister…

Zimbabwe’s Nutrition Advocacy and Parliamentary Engagement Project Gains Traction

October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to enhance nutrition advocacy and strengthen policymaker engagement on child nutrition and development, Zimbabwe has launched a network of nutrition champions, an initiative that is now gaining momentum and driving greater collaboration across sectors. The programme is being implemented by the Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), with financial and technical support from UNICEF, in collaboration with key government ministries and departments. The launch followed a recent report by the Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC), which revealed that stunting remains a…

Study Finds Significant Rates of Infidelity Among Doctors and Nurses

October 20, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter A new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has revealed that infidelity is not uncommon among medical professionals, with 21 percent of participating doctors and nurses admitting to having engaged in an unfaithful relationship. The study, titled “Incidence and Related Factors of Infidelity among Medical Doctors and Nurses,” was conducted by researchers Sara Guerrero, Gracia Castro-Luna, Rosa Zapata Boluda, Aida Freites, Rafael García, and Tesifón Parrón-Carreño. It sought to understand the prevalence of infidelity within the medical profession and the factors…

Oncologists Should Lead the Tobacco Harm Reduction Discourse

October 19, 2025October 19, 2025 Healthtimes

Nicotine Isn’t the Enemy: World Expert Corrects a Century of Misconception

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma A leading French oncologist has called on cancer specialists worldwide to take an active role in Tobacco Harm Reduction and help correct misconceptions about nicotine and its link to cancer. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025 Technovation Summit in Dubai, Professor David Khayat, an oncologist at Pierre et Marie University in Paris, said oncologists have a duty to promote science-based communication around smoking and nicotine use. We as oncologists have to trust science, and science says nicotine does not cause cancer, so let’s stick to…

PMI Chief Calls for Urgent Embrace of Smoke-Free Alternatives to Save Lives

October 17, 2025October 17, 2025 Healthtimes

By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma in Dubai Despite years of anti-smoking campaigns and strict tobacco control measures, the global number of smokers remains stubbornly high. According to peer-reviewed data, about 75 percent of those who attempt to quit relapse within six months. This persistent challenge, experts say, underscores the need for alternative solutions such as smoke-free products. Speaking at the Technovation Summit in Dubai, Philip Morris International (PMI) Chief Executive Officer Jacek Olczak urged governments and regulators to support the adoption of smoke-free alternatives for smokers who cannot or will not…

AI Powered Chatbot Shows Promise in Smoking Cessation

October 14, 2025October 16, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

WASHINGTON (Oct. 13, 2025) — A pilot study led by researchers at the George Washington University found that people who smoke were open to using a specialized ChatGPT-based chatbot, called BeFreeBot, to help them quit smoking. The research team sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the tool among smokers, as well as the tool’s reliability. A majority of participants who engaged the chatbot were highly satisfied with the tool, according to the study. The findings, published in JMIR Formative Research, suggest that AI chatbots could strengthen existing smoking cessation programs…

Investing in Zimbabwe’s Girls isn’t Charity, it’s a National Imperative

October 11, 2025October 11, 2025 Healthtimes

By Etona Ekole, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative On this International Day of the Girl (October 11), UNICEF Zimbabwe’s Representative, Etona Ekole, highlights the immense potential of Zimbabwean girls and the critical importance of investing in their futures. She emphasizes that every girl lost to child marriage or school dropout represents a lost future leader. A personal encounter with an aspiring biochemist in Epworth illustrates why shifting perspectives is vital for Zimbabwe’s economic and social progress. On this International Day of the Girl, my thoughts are not on statistics…

ZNFPC appoints Machinga as the new CEO

October 10, 2025October 10, 2025 Healthtimes

By Columbus Mavhunga Harare: Farai Machinga is the new substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) having been in an acting role for some time. In a statement, ZNFPC said Machinga took the position since the beginning of this month. Mr Machinga is a distinguished public health specialist with over a decade of extensive experience across various developmental sectors including government, and non-governmental settings,” said ZNFPC. “In his previous role as acting CEO, Mr Machinga led ZNFPC to many outstanding corporate and personal achievements.…

Domestic Health Financing To Be Top Of The Agenda For CPHIA 2025

October 7, 2025 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The tone has already been set for the hosting of the Fourth International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2025) scheduled for Durban, South Africa from October 22 to 25, 2025. The conference will deliberate on numerous issues, chief among them domestic health financing, as Africa seeks sustainable solutions amid dwindling donor support. The meeting will be held under the theme “Moving Towards Self-Reliance to Achieve Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in Africa” and will be co-hosted by the Africa CDC and the Government of…