Category: #COVID19

COVID-19 IN ZIMBABWE: WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE MOVING FORWARD?

Healthtimes
Dr Grant Murewanhema

ZIMBABWE witnessed its third spike of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, confirming 73 positive cases, and unfortunately also witnessed a facility death of a young female patient, aged 21, bringing the total number of officially reported deaths to 8. We should always note the careful choice of words, such as officially reported, and confirmed. By Dr Grant Murewanhema THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY So do we know the actual COVID-19 situation in Zimbabwe? How accurate are the numbers we report, and are we doing enough community testing? I…

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COVID-19: Women and girls face greater dangers during COVID-19 pandemic

Healthtimes
Community Health Worker Lydia Ganda conducting community awareness activities in Boitekong township in Rustenburg. Photographer: Siyathuthuka Media

THE COVID-19 pandemic is having potentially catastrophic secondary impacts on the health of women and girls around the world. Decisions made at every level of the response to the pandemic are resulting in women being further cut off from sexual and reproductive health services, threatening sharp rises in maternal and neonatal mortality. Women and girls are often denied care outright or face dangerous delays getting the services they need. The impacts of misguided policies and barriers to care are especially severe in places with weak or overburdened health systems—including many…

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Health Care Workers Strike Threatens Lives

Healthtimes

THE strike by Zimbabwe’s health care workers threatens lives and will plunge the country’s ailing health sector into a deeper crisis. Health watchdog, Citizens Health Watch (CHW) believes that this, coupled with damning revelations about massive corruption in the procurement of Covid 19 supplies is undermining the country’s response to the virus. HealthTimes Reporter Zimbabwe’s health care workers have for decades worked under extraordinary conditions in a healthcare sector that has been plundered by years of corruption, that is underfunded, has obsolete equipment and regular drug stock outs. The strike…

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241 Zim Children Admitted For Severe Acute Malnutrition Treatment During Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

THE COVID-19 induced lockdown has worsened the food security situation at household level, in the process, compromising the nutrition status of children and pregnant women, amidst indications that a total 214 children were admitted for treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) by the month of May, 2020. By Michael Gwarisa According to the 2020 Zimbabwe Humanitarian Response Plan which was launched in April this year, around 7 million people across the country are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC) report also highlighted that the…

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#JUSTIN: Zim Records 13 Local COVID-19 Cases In One Day

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE today recorded 14 new COVID-19 cases including one returning Zimbabwean from South Africa and 13 local cases. By Michael Gwarisa According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) daily COVID-19 update, all the cases are in isolation where they are being managed. Fourteen cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. These include a returnee from South Africa (1) and 13 local cases who are isolated. “Two of the local cases are contacts  to known confirmed cases. investigations are under way to establish the source of infection for the…

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African Union Says Urgent Need To Address Patents & Technology Barriers For Access To Future COVID-19 Vaccines

Michael Gwarisa

IN a communique issued following the ‘Africa’s Leadership Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Access’ conference of the African Union (AU), African health ministers took a crucial step to state their concern that patents and other technology barriers could negatively impact the ability to ensure access of future potential COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries. This acknowledgement stands in stark contrast to the misconception commonly expressed by pharmaceutical corporations and some public health actors that intellectual property does not play a major role in restricting access to vaccines. Not only does…

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Global Wake-Up Call

Healthtimes

FROM COVID-19 to climate disruption, from racial injustice to rising inequalities, we are a world in turmoil. By António Guterres At the same time, we are an international community with an enduring vision – embodied in the United Nations Charter, which marks its 75th anniversary this year. That vision of a better future —  based on the values of equality, mutual respect and international cooperation —  has helped us to avoid a Third World War that would have had catastrophic consequences for life on our planet. Our shared challenge is…

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#JUSTIN: Restaurants Now Allowed To Serve Sit-in Meals

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has resolved to allow restaurants to serve sit-in meals as the country gradually moves towards relaxing COVID-19 restrictions. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing, Information, publicity and broadcasting services, Ambassador Monica Mutsvangwa said the move was also part of the easing of restrictions for the hospitality and tourism industry which is amongst the sectors which have been hardest hit by the COVID-19. In the tourism and hospitality sector, requests for variations of Operating Conditions in respect of Restaurant Operators and to re-open Safari Operators…

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Masiyiwa gives US$50 monthly assistance to help COVID-19 victims for 3 months Calls on victims to step forward in order to get support

Michael Gwarisa

WORRIED that there are people suffering at home from COVID-19 that have not come forward, Strive Masiyiwa, through his Higher Life Foundation (HLF), called upon them to come forward on their own and report their status so that they can get assistance worth US$50 per month. Masiyiwa, whose HLF now offers free COVID-19 testing, wants to identify and support anyone who is currently suffering from the disease but has no real incentive to come forward. The foundation is offering food, water, blankets, airtime and medicines, among other forms of support,…

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Gvt Moves In To Curb Bulawayo Diarrhoeal Diseases

Healthtimes

INFORMATION, publicity and broadcasting services minister, honorable Monica Mutsvangwa says goverment has commenced provision of portable water to Bulawayo residents in the midst of the ongoing diarrhoel epidemic that has already claimed five lives in the city. HealthTimes Reporter In a media brief, minister Mutsvangwa said the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic should divert attention from other health issues. “Whilst focusing on protecting the nation from COVID19, Government has not lost sight of other health challenges bedeviling our communities. It is in this context that the Taskforce noted with sadness the Typhoid…

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