Category: #COVID19

Division Rocks Nurses Strike, Some Returning To Work On Monday

Michael Gwarisa

THE three month long industrial action by nurses hangs in limbo amidst indications that some nurses have thrown in the towel after Health and Child Care Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga indicated that he would only negotiate with those reporting for duty. By Michael Gwarisa Impeccable sources close to the developments told this publication that the nurses camp was under siege from dark forces who were influencing other nurses to genuflect to government’s demands even in the absence of a good remuneration and Personal Protective Clothing (PPE). It’s a divide…

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Ministry of Health Launches COVID-19 Booth

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has launched a COVID-19 booth in Epworth, as part of its efforts to bridge the information gap so to limit the spread of misinformation around COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa Launching the COVID-19 Booth, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr John Mangwiro said the impact of the pandemic had disrupted services and in the process disinformation had also reigned supreme. The pandemic has seen interruption in trade, work and business, stoppage of schools and travel, diminished incomes, brought social distress, illness and…

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COVID-19 disrupts access to SRHR for Zim’s LGBTI Community

Michael Gwarisa

LESBIAN, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people may be particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic according to a paper by the United Nations titled COVID-19 and the human rights of LGBTI people. Amongst the LGBTI community are people living with compromised immune systems, including some persons living with HIV/AIDS who also face a greater risk fromCOVID-19. However, the community continues to face massive stigma and discrimination at the hands of health workers and society. With the coming in of the COVID-19, and given an overloaded health system in Zimbabwe,…

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COVID-19 Will Widen Poverty Gap Between Women And Men- UN Study

Michael Gwarisa

THE COVID-19 crisis will dramatically increase the poverty rate for women and widen the gap between men and women who live in poverty, according to new data released today by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The poverty rate for women was expected to decrease by 2.7 percent between 2019 and 2021, but projections now point to an increase of 9.1 percent due to the pandemic and its fallout. The projections, commissioned by UN Women and UNDP, and carried out by the Pardee Centre for International Futures…

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New collaboration between Novartis and Africa Medical Supplies Platform To Facilitate Supply Of COVID-19 Related Medicines

Michael Gwarisa

THE African Union through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19 related supplies The collaboration aims to help alleviate supply and logistical constraints in the African Union member states; Portfolio of 15 generic and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Sandoz division will be sold at zero-profit to governments through Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) to 55 African and 15 Caricom eligible countries; the African Union through the AMSP has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19…

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City Of Harare Releases New Garbage Collection Schedule

Healthtimes

THE City of Harare has released a garbage collection timetable after weeks of failed collections. Through their Facebook Page, the City of Harare said, “Council advises that the Fire at Pomona Dumpsite was successfully suppressed on 31 August. Preparations to resume normal operations at the dumpsite are in progress upon certification by EMA. Meanwhile a blitz operation to clear backlogs that emanated from the two week non collection period commenced on Saturday 29 August. The blitz is being conducted as per attached schedule. When done, normal door to door collections…

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Zim Traditional Medicines Practitioners Applaud Gvt For Engaging Them In COVID-19 Fight

Michael Gwarisa

TRADITIONAL medicines practitioners have applauded government and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) for recognizing their role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the country’s 10 provinces. By Michael Gwarisa This also comes at a time the world is celebrating the African Traditional Medicines day which is commemorated every on the first of September. In an interview with HealthTimes, Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association (ZINPA) president, Mr Friday Chishanyu said traditional medicines practitioners deserve recognition and assistance from government. We are happy that…

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Gvt Announces Schools Reopening Dates

Michael Gwarisa

CABINET has scheduled the schools reopening dates to 14 September 2020 for Cambridge Examinations classes and 28 September 2020 for Zimsec Examination classes. By Michael Gwarisa According to Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa, “Cabinet approved that the Zimsec Examinations should start on 1 December, 2020. The Ministry is working closely with other Ministries and stakeholders to guarantee the safety of pupils and staff during the examinations period.  Standard Operating Procedures have been distributed to all schools.” Cabinet  also acknowledged that despite the surge in positive local…

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New UNAIDS Report Raise Concerns Over Human Rights Abuse For Persons Living With HIV, Key Populations & Health Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Michael Gwarisa

A new report published by the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has noted high incidences of human rights abuse for health workers, persons living with HIV and key populations at high risk of HIV infection since the pandemic was reported in several countries. By Michael Gwarisa The report, “Rights in a pandemic – Lockdowns, rights and lessons from HIV in the early response to COVID-19″   is a snapshot in time, focusing on the very early days of the pandemic, from February till mid-May 2020, drawing attention to…

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WHO Reports 90% Disruptions To Key Health Services Since COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a first indicative survey on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems based on 105 countries’ reports amidst data collected from five regions over the period from March to June 2020  which illustrate that almost every country (90%) experienced disruption to its health services, with low- and middle-income countries reporting the greatest difficulties. HealthTimes Most countries reported that many routine and elective services have been suspended, while critical care – such as cancer screening and treatment and HIV therapy – has seen high-risk…

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