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WHO certifies Cabo Verde as malaria-free, marking a historic milestone in the fight against malaria

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024 Healthtimes

A total of 43 countries and 1 territory have now been certified as malaria-free The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country, marking a significant achievement in global health. With this announcement, Cabo Verde joins the ranks of 43 countries and 1 territory that WHO has awarded this certification. Cabo Verde is the third country to be certified in the WHO African region, joining Mauritius and Algeria which were certified in 1973 and 2019 respectively. Malaria burden is the highest on the African continent, which…

Zimbabwe Govt Allocates 71,500 Tonnes Of Grain To Feed Over 2 Million Food Insecure Citizens

January 12, 2024January 12, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honorable July Moyo says government has set aside 71,500 metric tonnes of grain to distribute across food-insecure households during obtaining the lean season. Food situation data estimates that about 2,715,717 people will be in need of food assistance during the peak hunger period, between January and March 2024. The provinces with the highest food insecurity levels are Matabeleland North (42 percent) down from 58 percent from the previous year, Mashonaland Central (31 percent) and Masvingo province (30 percent). The…

Gavi Board appoints Senator Dr Sania Nishtar as Chief Executive Officer

January 11, 2024January 11, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

Today, the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance approved the appointment of Dr Sania Nishtar as its next Chief Executive Officer Dr Nishtar, currently a member of the Pakistan Senate, will assume the role on 18 March 2024 Dr Sania Nishtar: “I am honoured by the trust the Gavi Board placed in me and look forward to working with Gavi’s talented staff and skilled Alliance partners.” Geneva, 11 January 2024 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance announced today the appointment of Dr Sania Nishtar as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr…

#Breaking: Zimbabwe Targets Two Million With Oral Cholera Vaccines

January 6, 2024January 6, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to provide temporal protection against Cholera infection and severe cholera symptoms, Zimbabwe will soon be rolling out a targeted Oral Cholera vaccination program in the 57 affected districts, HealthTimes has learnt. Zimbabwe is among the 18 countries battling Cholera in the world and according to the Africa Centre for Diseases Control (Africa CDC), the widespread Cholera crisis on the continent has pushed demand for Oral Cholera Vaccines (OVC) to unprecedented levels. However, Zimbabwe has since made headway in terms of procuring vaccines and mapping…

Central Government Briefly Takes Over Solid Waste Management In Harare As Cholera Rears Ugly Head

January 6, 2024January 10, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Riding on the existing Emergency Solid Waste Management Program, guided by Statutory Instrument 140 of 2023, following the declaration of a state of disaster in Harare Metropolitan province, the Zimbabwean government is implementing a raft of measures through Operation Chenesa Harare (Clean Harare), an ambitious waste management program targeting to clear all solid waste within a week. The collected waste will be taken to Pomona Dump Site in Harare in a move the government believes will address the drivers of Cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases in Harare.…

Zambia Postpones School Opening Due to Cholera Surge

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 Healthtimes

Lusaka Times In response to a surge in cholera cases, the Zambian government has announced the deferment of the 2024 Term One school opening from the initially scheduled date of January 8th to January 29th. Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima made the official announcement today in Lusaka, emphasizing the need to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease. Minister Syakalima clarified that this postponement applies to all public, private, aided, and community learning institutions, including Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers, primary, and secondary schools. Learners at all levels are…

#JUSTIN: Young Zim Medical Doctor Killed By Dislodged Truck Tyre

January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter A 30 year old Medical Doctor stationed at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital in Mashonaland West, Dr Tinotenda Madzima has died after being fatally hit by a trye which had dislodged from a moving truck, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed. The fatal road traffic accident occurred on January 3, 2024 at about 0700 hours at the 116 kilometre peg along Harare-Chirundu Road. The doctor was walking along the road when he was hit on the back by a wheel which had dislodged from a Scania haulage truck which…

Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda Lands Top United Nations Job

January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda of Zimbabwe as Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, United Nations System Coordination and Programme Results at the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). The Secretary-General wishes to extend his appreciation to UN Women Director, Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Support, Sarah Hendriks of Canada, who will continue to serve as UN Women Deputy Executive Director ad interim, until Ms. Gumbonzvanda assumes her functions. Ms. Gumbonzvanda is the Founder…

Shortage of Blood Group O Hits Zimbabwe After Festive Season

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024 Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere High demand for blood and blood products during the just ended festive season has led to the depletion of Blood Group O stocks in Zimbabwe. According to the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ), 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s population are type O blood group, and this makes it the most sought after blood type at any given time, hence the perennial shortages. Group O can donate red blood cells to anybody. It’s the universal donor. Type O positive blood is one of the first to run out…

Zimbabwe Kicks Off The New Year With Over 200 Cholera Hospitalisations

January 2, 2024January 2, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Despite efforts by government and partners to contain the Cholera outbreak, an increased number of severe cases of the disease requiring hospital admission continue to be recorded throughout the country. Severe Cholera symptoms according to the Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) include profuse watery diarrhea, sometimes described as “rice-water stools”, vomiting, thirst, leg cramps, restlessness or irritability and these may require hospitalisation. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Daily Cholera Situtaion Report for January 1, 2024, a total 247 cases were hospitalized…