#COVID19 |

#COVID-19: The Grinch Who Stole Our Christmas

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

BY definition, a Grinch is a grumpy person who spoils the pleasure of others or a party-popper. Most of you might have watched The Grinch movie by Jim Carrey or the 2018 animated version of The Grinch, a movie about a grumpy Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) who plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville, a fictional place in the film. By Michael Gwarisa To make sure the whole of Whoville doesn’t celebrate Christmas and all the joy it brings, the Grinch spent the entire Christmas eve night stealing all…

Time To Rethink Our Behaviour And Make A Few Sacrifices To Break The COVID-19 Transmission Chain In Zim

December 4, 2020December 4, 2020 Healthtimes

FATIGUE leading to complacency in epidemics and pandemics is well described. Humans are social beings and created with an intrinsic desire to mingle, interact and work. However, certain times really call for an audit of our actions and behaviour. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Global statistics indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is now spreading like veldfire in some continents. Over 4 million people were confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive in the week ending 29 November 2020, and in the same week over 69 000 fatalities were reported. It is extremely naive to think…

#BREAKING: Zimbabwe Opens Borders

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020 Healthtimes

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists during a Post Cabinet media briefing that the country’s borders will be reopened starting today as advised two months ago. HealthTimes Reporter The reopening of the borders also comes at a time the country is experiencing a surge COVID-19 cases with Matebeleland being the epicenter of the infections. Senator Mutsvangwa said, “Cabinet also wishes to report that the re-opening of the country’s borders has been effected as scheduled, starting today, 1st December 2020. “On the number of people allowed…

Blood Bank Recruiting Adult Blood Donors

November 26, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) board chairperson, Advocate Rodgers Matsikidze says they have adopted new strategies to recruit more adult blood donors to ensure the blood bank does not run dry even in the face of an emergency such as the COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes at the back of revelations that the blood bank only managed to collect slightly above 50% of its 2020 blood collection target. According to Advocate Matsikidze, amongst their new strategies include following up on adults who used to donate as…

Zimbabwe Launches 2020 World AIDS Day Campaign

November 26, 2020November 26, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

AS the 2020 World AIDS Day (WAD) commemorations draw near, Zimbabwe has launched the WAD 2020 Campaign theme, theme song and logo. By Michael Gwarisa The WAD 2020 will be running under the theme “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility, Ending AIDS By 2030. According to the National AIDS Council (NAC), the 2020 WAD Celebrations will be held on December 1, 2020 in Harare at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), under strict observance of COVID-19 regulations in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) set standards. Speaking during a virtual Press…

Gvt Orders Schools With Poor COVID-19 Management Capacities To Close As Coronavirus Infects 100 Pupils In Matabeleland

November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

CABINET has resolved to close schools without proper COVID-19 management equipment and capacity as well as those where COVID-19 is suspected as a means to avoid spread of the virus into communities. By Michael Gwarisa The call comes hot on the heels of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the country with Bulawayo emerging as the new epicenter for the virus amidst indications that not less than 100 pupils at John Tallach Secondary School in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North province have so far tested positive for the virus. Briefing Journalists during a…

2020 Top 15 Outstanding Health Champions

November 17, 2020November 18, 2020 Healthtimes

THE Year 2020 has not been an easy one for the global health sector at the back of a global health pandemic, the COVID-19. In Zimbabwe, even though the virus has not been as severe as other countries in the developed world, some lives were lost while a sizable number also got infected. To worsen Zimbabwe’s health crisis in the midst of COVID-19, a nationwide healthcare industrial action also ensued which saw numerous negative public health outcomes being recorded. In the midst of all this misery and loss, a number…

Debunking The COVID-19 preventive Misconception As Zimbabwe And Africa Face A Resurgence Of Cases

November 15, 2020November 15, 2020 Healthtimes

BY some stroke of luck, or as yet unexplained factor(s), Zimbabwe, and indeed most of Sub-Saharan Africa, have been spared from the full wrath of SARS-CoV-2, the causative coronavirus for COVID-19. For a virus that decimated populations in developed countries with advanced healthcare, the worst was expected for Africa. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Projections were that Africa was going to be grossly overwhelmed with cases; formal hospitals would be filled to capacity, including floors and passages, and there would be a need for makeshift hospitals. For a virus whose spread…

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Very Promising’ But Cold Chain Issues: WHO

November 12, 2020 Healthtimes

THE World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief said on Tuesday it hopes to have a COVID-19 vaccine by year-end and that Pfizer’s experimental remedy is “a very promising one”, with more expected. SOURCE: Reuters But the vaccine, based on a novel technology that uses synthetic mRNA to activate the immune system against the virus, comes with special challenges as it needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius (-94 F) or below – equivalent to an Antarctic winter. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated the United Nations agency’s call for…

#CancerTalkWithMichelle: Cancer Awareness In The Times Of A COVID-19 Pandemic

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020 Healthtimes

THE world over, focus has shifted towards managing, treating and preventing COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 has literally overshadowed other ailments including Cancer, one of the leading causes of death in Zimbabwe which is currently killing more people than HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria and COVID-19 combined. By Michelle Madzudzo However, a dearth of data, shortage of testing equipment, lack of proven treatments or vaccine and the speed at which the coronavirus spreads has resulted in the virus being portrayed as a much bigger threat compared to all time ravenous cancers such as…