Category: #COVID19

Acute health needs in Afghanistan must be urgently addressed and health gains protected

Healthtimes

Statement by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, and Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean on their visit to Kabul We recently completed a high level mission to Kabul, Afghanistan, where we met with senior members of the Taliban leadership, UN partners, health care workers and patients, and WHO staff. Afghanistan’s health system is on the brink of collapse. Unless urgent action is taken, the country faces an imminent humanitarian catastrophe. Our visit allowed us to witness the immediate needs of the…

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MSF Turns Heat On Global Leaders To Ensure Equitable Vaccines Distribution

Michael Gwarisa

THE Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is capitalising on the ongoing United Nations (UN) General Assembly to pressure leading global leaders and vaccines manufacturers to remove restrictions on vaccines access for low and middle income countries. By Michael Gwarisa Dr. Maria Guevara, the MSF International Medical Secretary who is attending the UN general assembly  highlighted the urgent need for concrete  actions that should be taken to turn a corner on the COVID-19 pandemic. The global response to the pandemic has failed to deliver equal and equitable access to date, with the…

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Full Economy Opening Premised On Vaccination- Mthuli Ncube

Healthtimes
Prof Mthuli Ncube

THE Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mtuli Ncube has called on Zimbabweans to get vaccinated for the economy to fully open up. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 vaccination program on Zimpapers Television Network, Prof Ncube said there was no reason for Zimbabweans to shun vaccination as government procured millions of vaccine doses towards that cause. Vaccination strategy in Zimbabwe is also an economic recovery strategy. We can only open up the economy safely if everyone is safe, if people will not infect each other. Therefore,…

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Red Cross Partners ZITF In health and First Aid Services

Healthtimes

Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has once again partnered with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) through provision of free health and first aid services with the organisation providing COVID 19 vaccinations at this year’s edition of the annual business showcase. Own Correspondant In support of the government accelerated and decentralised vaccination drive, the ZRCS has deployed a team of medical doctors and nurses who are providing COVID 19 vaccinations for free within the exhibition centre, bringing the much-needed services closer to the people who might have missed an opportunity…

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Gvt Institutes Measures To Contain COVID-19 In Schools

Healthtimes

CABINET has announced a raft of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in schools following indications that schools have become the latest COVID-19 hotspots. HealthTimes Reporter Briefing Journalists during a post-Cabinet Media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the number of cases recorded went up to 1 669 this week and the education sector contributed significantly to this increase. Government has, therefore, instituted the following measures to contain the COVID-19 surge in schools,” she said. Some of the measures include: enhancement of surveillance and…

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Closure Of Schools Not An Option

Healthtimes

EVEN though the country has begun recorded pockets of new infections especially in schools, it is  not wise to close schools at the moment, Public Health Experts have warned. By Patricia Mashiri Schools especially in Mbereengwa have been recording new COVD-19 infections of late, prompting some parents to push for closure of the schools before the situation spirals out of control. However, local health experts believe the situation was still under control and there was no need for halting studies. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mr Itai Rusike, the Executive Director for…

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COVID-19 In Schools: What Is The Way Forward?

Healthtimes

AS the third wave settled, there was a huge outcry for the re-opening of schools, and I personally added my voice to the sentiments. And even today when asked, I would echo the same sentiments too. Prolonged closure of schools is not good for the pupils for several reasons. Not only do they lag behind in terms of their education and social development; they also get exposed to several hazards in society. By Dr Grant Murewanhema What quickly comes to mind is the risk of indulging in drugs, early sexual…

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ZIMA Holds Memorial For Health Professionals Who Died From COVID

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) has held a memorial ceremony in honor of health and Medical Professionals who succumbed to COVID-19. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during the event Dr Bismarck Mateveke, the Secretary General for ZiMA said the COVID-19 pandemic era has been a difficult phase as families, workmates and relatives lost people close to them. It has been a difficult year for the profession because of the loss of colleagues, brothers and workmates. It has also been a difficult year for the families of those close to us that…

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ZRP Closing In On Illegal Vaccination Cards Syndicates

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says is this close to busting up an entire network of vaccination cards merchants who are selling stolen vaccination cards to unsuspecting members of the public who want to evade vaccination. By Patricia Mashiri The development comes hot on the heels of a series of events whereby hospitals and clinics have been reporting missing blank vaccination cards. Since Zimbabwe’s national vaccination initiative commenced in February this year, hundreds of blank vaccination cards have been reported missing from various parts of the country. The recent incident…

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