Category: #COVID19

Patents Could Impact Negatively on Zim’s Access to COVID-19 Treatment

Michael Gwarisa

DOZENS of coronavirus vaccines are currently under development as the world races towards getting a vaccine that could rescue the world from the prevailing misery. To date, more than 150 coronavirus vaccines are in development across the world—and hopes are high to bring one to market in record time to ease the global crisis. By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization is also coordinating global efforts to develop a vaccine, with an eye toward delivering two billion doses by the end of 2021. However, in the midst of all these…

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#JUSTIN: Gov Opens Inter City Travel, VID, Registrar and Passport Office

Michael Gwarisa

CABINET has announced the resumption of inter city travel among other transport related services in a bid to cope with the reopening of schools. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing journalists during a post cabinet media briefing, Information minister, minister Monica Mutsvagwa invited transporters wishing to operate to register with government ahead the reopening of schools. In view of the re-opening of schools for examination classes, the tourism and hospitality industry, and aviation sectors and the need to afford the working class time to attend gymnasia, Cabinet approved the extension of business…

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USAID Trains Over 8000 Health Workers To Manage COVID-19 In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE United States Agency for International Development  (USAID) has trained more than 8,200 healthcare workers and experts to provide technical support at health facilities in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual roundtable meeting with journalists, newly appointed USAID mission director in Zimbabwe, Mr Art Brown said the United States government was committed to improving lives of ordinary Zimbabweans through  poverty alleviation, eliminating hunger and improving health standards. One of the major priorities that we have that I have stumbled into is the COVID-19 Pandemic that…

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Gates Foundation’s Annual Goalkeepers Report shows COVID-19 has stalled 20 years of progress, calls for a global response to end the pandemic

Healthtimes

THE Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched its fourth annual  Goalkeepers Report, featuring new data showing how the ripple effects of COVID-19 have stopped 20 years of progress toward the  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). HealthTimes Reporter The report shows how economic damage has reinforced inequities in Africa and derailed achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; spotlights countries innovating to meet challenges. The report provides the most contemporary global data set for how the pandemic is affecting progress toward the Global Goals, showing that, by nearly…

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Civil Society, NAC Meet Senators To Discuss Age Restrictions To SRHR Access

Michael Gwarisa

A consortium of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) together with the National AIDS Council (NAC yesterday met senators to deliberate on issues hindering young people from accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. By Michael Gwarisa The consortium dubbed the Access Task-force consists of various civil society organizations which include Advocacy Core Team, Right Here Right Now (RHRN), The PITCH Consortium, SHR Africa Trust (SAT), Youth Advocate Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Young Positives, Youth Engage, My Age and other youth affiliated organizations that have come on board to sign the petition…

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UZ Commences Production Of Swabs For Collecting COVID-19 Samples

Michael Gwarisa

THE university of Zimbabwe (UZ) in partnership with a local company have begun manufacturing swabs which will used in collecting COVID-19 samples as the country moves towards increasing testing levels. By Michael Gwarisa In media brief, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa said the swabs have been submitted to the Ministry of Health and Child Care and to Natpharm for quality assurance tests. Additionally, Government continues to make strides in ensuring that the country’s preparedness and response plans are upgraded. As part of the efforts to boost…

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Unhealthy Commodity Industries & COVID-19: Alcohol Manufactures, Fast Foods and Beverages Makers Exploit COVID-19 For Commercial Gains

Michael Gwarisa

BEER companies adapting their logos to lung icons, burger companies geo-tracking customers with the lure of lockdown freebies, and soft drink giants donating thousands of cans to the homes of struggling communities in Mexico illustrate the multitude of ways in which unhealthy commodity industries have leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic for commercial gain, a new report has exposed today, launched during the 3rd Global Week for Action on NCDs. Signalling Virtue, Promoting Harm: Unhealthy commodity industries and COVID-19, authored by the NCD Alliance and the SPECTRUM Consortium, is a preliminary exposé…

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Disabled Young People Struggle To Navigate SRH Social Spaces During Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

YOUNG people with disabilities are finding it difficult to access sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services during the prevailing lockdown period due to a myriad of factors, chief among them being failure to participate in social spaces where SRHR information is provided. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual meeting on ending teenage pregnancies which was hosted by Plan International Zimbabwe under the theme “Unraveling the thread of teenage pregnancies during COVID 19,” Social Worker with JF Kapnek, Adam Mukushi said the COVID-19 had presented numerous challenges for…

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Joshua case study on Nutrition in COVID-19 – Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

DORICA (37) is a mother of four, who lives in the drought-stricken district of Binga in Zimbabwe. She has a two-year-old Joshua, and also lives with her four-year-old granddaughter Dorcas. Juggling from one odd job to another has become a daily routine for Dorcas and her husband, as they struggle to provide meals for their family of seven, without a reliable source of income. By Sophie Hamandishe Despite these challenges, Dorica has remained resolute when it comes to matters of feeding her son Joshua and ensuring that he remains healthy.…

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