Category: #COVID19

United States increases COVID-19 funding to $18 million in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

THE United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed an additional $10 million in response to COVID-19. The funds will go to the World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian assistance for nearly 100,000 vulnerable people in eight urban areas. With this additional funding, U.S. assistance to the COVID-19 response in Zimbabwe exceeds $18 million. USAID has provided nearly $15 million, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided $3 million, and PEPFAR has reprogrammed $150,000 to address COVID-19. Through this $10 million in…

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Gvt Distributes COVID-19 Treatment Medications Across Provincial Hospitals

Michael Gwarisa

INFORMATION and broadcasting services Minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa says government has commenced distribution of identified COVID-19 treatment medicines across the country’s provincial hospitals as part of its preparedness should the need for treatment arise. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Minister Mtsvangwa said the distribution of COVID19 essentials including identified treatment medications was made at to all the Provincial and District medical centres over the past week. These essentials included PPEs such as aprons, face masks and theatre gowns; supplies for the screening of COVID19 such as infrared thermometers; and…

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People With Blood Group A At Higher Risk Of Severe COVID-19 Illness

Healthtimes

LAST week, a genetic study of more than 1,610 COVID-19 patients in Italy and Spain found that people with type A blood had a higher chance of developing severe respiratory failure than people with type O blood (medRxiv 2020, DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.31.20114991). The findings add support to an idea that has been developing since early in the global pandemic, that type O blood is somehow protective against the disease, while type A may make people more vulnerable. SOURCE: C&EN In the new study, researchers sequenced the genomes of COVID-19 patients in…

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Coronavirus Scorecard for Africa: Percentage of GDP earmarked for combating COVID-19

Healthtimes

Governments’ response to COVID-19 has in most cases involved earmarking a significant percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – the standard measure of a country’s productive wealth – towards fighting the pandemic. Although this is only part of most governments’ broad-spectrum policy response to the disease, it is an important measure as it indicates governments’ level of commitment to responding to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. It must be stressed, however, that different governments face different levels of severity of the pandemic and different projections (depending on a wide range…

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Naming & Shaming Quarantine Escapees Fuel COVID-19 Stigma

Michael Gwarisa

IN as much as disclosure of names and details of quarantine escapees is good for managing and controlling the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, the practice fuels stigma and discrimination for escapees and COVID-19 affected and infected individuals, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH)  has warned. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, CWGH Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said as an organization, they abhor the naming and shaming of people who escape from the country’s quarantine centres by government as this excerbates and entrenches stigma and discrimination against the escapees…

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#Talking COVID-19 With Dr Grant: Are We Doing Enough Testing For COVID-19 In Zimbabwe?

Michael Gwarisa
Dr Grant Murewanhema

THE first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Wuhan, China,  in December 2019, and a few months later the disease became a worldwide pandemic. To date over 7 million infections have been reported. Zimbabwe has reported 356 cases, which include 4 deaths and 54 recoveries. By Grant Murewanhema Transmission patterns include imported disease, sporadic disease, clusters of disease and community transmission. In community transmission, clusters of cases are reported in the communities without clear linkage to imported cases. Most of the cases reported in Zimbabwe so far have been among…

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Open letter to the Minister of Health From Quarantine

Healthtimes

AFTER spending 22 days in captivity we were told that we cannot leave quarantine after testing. The standard published by the government is a maximum of 21, but I am sitting at 25 with cellmates having up to 30 and even more. The reason behind our continued detention being: of the over 100 tests conducted 4 days ago, one inmate has tested positive. We are thus supposed to stay on for another 8 days after which we shall be tested again. The rationale, according to the ministry of health which…

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The Avenues Clinic Refurbishment Enters Phase 2

Healthtimes

IN an effort to create a safe and unforgettable hospital experience for patients, The Avenues Clinic has now entered its second phase of its facility’s refurbishment project. The refurbishment project which commenced in 2018 is part of a US$10 million capital injection which was partly funded by Nedbank. The refurbishment is three phased and commenced with giving a face lift to the ablution facilities before moving to other sections of the health institution. The Avenues Clinic fosters  ideal safety standards against possible Covid-19 spread Healthcare is the backbone of any…

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#COVID-19: Zimbabwe Relaxes Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

PRESIDENT Emerson Mnagaggwa has announced that Zimbabwe is still on level two of the national lockdown even though some restrictions on public gatherings and industry have been lifted. By Michael Gwarisa According to President Mnangagwa the easing of restrictions was the first step towards economic recovery post the COVID-Q9 induced lockdown which was adopted in March. From the pains of the pandemic, we must now find new impetus to rebuild. The liberalization of our economy must continue in earnest. “Reforms stuck in the wheels of bureaucracy must be unleashed, catalysed…

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Petition To Get Health Minister Fired Gets More Than 10 000 Signatures And Still Counting

Healthtimes

A petition to get Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo relived from his duties as a cabinet minister has  already attracted more than 10 000 signatures from Zimbabweans residing in the country and those in the diaspora. READ THE PETITION BELOW We, the Concerned Citizens of Zimbabwe, hereby petition you, your Excellency, to relieve and dismiss, with immediate effect, the Honourable Obadiah Moyo, from his portfolio as the Minister of Health and Child Care whose tenure at the Ministry has been an unmitigated disaster. We bring this petition…

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