Category: #COVID19

Provide Food Basket Instead To Avert COVID-19 Induced Malnutrition- Gvt Told

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition (ZCSOSUNA) has called on government to  replace the current ZW$200 food assistance cash transfer assistance being given to vulnerable households with a nutritious food basket  in a bit to avert a spike in Severe Acute Malnutrition cases. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists this morning, ZCSOSUNA National Coordinator, Mr Kudakwashe Zombe said food and nutrition assistance need to be at the heart of social protection programmes especially under the prevailing environment where revenue streams have been disrupted at the back of lockdown restrictions.…

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TelOne, NetOne Partner To Refurbish Sally Mugabe Hospital Ward

Michael Gwarisa

 TELONE in partnership with mobile network operator, NetOne have combined efforts to refurbish and fully equip a ward at Sally Mugabe Hospital (formally Harare Hospital), a move that  is set to improve service delivery at the health institution. By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the Ward Handover Ceremony, First Lady, Mai Auxilia Mnangagwa said the gesture by the two entities was a step in the right direction for the country’s health sector which is currently in need of recapitalisation. I am delighted to be officiating at this event today, which is…

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TREATS tuberculosis (TB) study launches COVID-19 study using existing mobile TB testing facilities in Zambia

Healthtimes

A major TB study currently underway and aimed at investigating methods to reduce TB prevalence and infection in Zambia and South Africa will soon begin testing for COVID-19 using existing mobile TB testing facilities in the Bwacha – Ngungu community of Kabwe in Zambia. HealthTimes Reporter The 18-month study will be nested within the ongoing TREATS study to measure the prevalence and spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in Zambia working with one urban community with a target population of 28,000. The country has recorded 11,345 confirmed cases with 282 COVID-19 deaths (classified…

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Retesting No Longer Required Before Discharging COVID-19 Patient- New Guidelines

Healthtimes

ACCORDING to new Centres for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, there is no longer need for health institutions to retest COVID-19 patients to determine whether they have recovered from the virus or not. The new guidelines  based on revisions made on July 17, 2020  state that “except for rare situations, a test-based strategy is no longer recommended to determine when an individual with a COVID-19 infection is no longer infectious (i.e., to discontinue Transmission-Based Precautions or home isolation).” Diagnostic testing categories have been edited to focus on testing considerations and actions…

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Only 1 293 People Left In Zim Quarantine Centers

Michael Gwarisa

A total 1 293 people are still housed in quarantine centers across the country, signifying a huge reduction the figures recorded in the previous weeks. By Michael Gwarisa In media brief, Information, publicity and broadcasting services minister, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in as much as the recoveries were promising, danger was still lurking and people needed to be vigilant. Consequentially, our statistics have changed as we implement these new protocols. Recoveries have risen from 1 998 to 4 442 for the period between 14 August to 19 August 2020 largely…

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Nine COVID-19 Vaccines Under Assessment- WHO

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus says at least nine vaccines are part of a dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed and optimised to ensure access to the best possible range of products. By Michael Gwarisa In a Press Statement, Dr Tedros said 172 countries were now engaging with the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility, which has both the largest and most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the world. At present there are nine vaccines that are part of this dynamic portfolio; which is constantly being reviewed…

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Govt trains mental health officers

Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT has started training mental health officers countrywide to ensure people get counselling services during this period when Covid-19 is wreaking havoc in communities. SOURCE: Sunday Mail Medical experts say health workers should offer basic psychological support to people who would have tested positive for Covid-19 and screen those who show signs of mental health challenges. It is believed that rising cases of coronavirus are causing fear and anxiety in societies. Older persons, care providers and people with underlying health conditions — who are understood to be susceptible to the…

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Zim Active COVID-19 Begin To Rise Again

Healthtimes

AT a time Zimbabwe was beginning to enjoy significant COVID-19 recoveries, the number of local active cases seem to be rising again, the ministry of health and child care daily sitrep has revealed. According to the daily COVIOD-19 update, 70 local cases were reported today and they were no imported cases. One death was reported in Manicaland while active cases have risen to 1076 whereas  62 recoveries were reported.

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#TalkingCOVID-19WithDrGrant: Removal Of Mandatory Institutional Quarantine For Returning Residents A Noble Move

Healthtimes
Dr Grant Murewanhema

FROM the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe in March 2020, returning residents were mandated to go into quarantine in designated institutions, initially for 21 days, then for 14 and this was reduced in the past few weeks to 8 days. Recently a cabinet pronouncement was made that returning residents who test negative at points of entry no longer need to go into mandatory quarantine. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Before we critique this decision we have to go into the dynamics of transmission. Initially, the majority of confirmed cases…

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Mental Health in the wake of Covid19

Healthtimes
DEPRESSED AFRICAN LADY (pic by Huffington post)

The increase in community transmissions of Covid19 in Zimbabwe is causing concern in the population’s mental health. Psychological and social problems continue to rise and consequences such as stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, uncertainty and domestic violence are an increasing progression. It is therefore of utmost importance for the people of Zimbabwe to take care of their mental health. Healthcare workers: • You are likely to feel afraid, overwhelmed and experience lots of stress as the outbreak continues, it is important to acknowledge these feelings and notice when you are not…

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