Category: #COVID19

#JUSTIN: Zim Churches To Reopen

Michael Gwarisa

PRESIDENT Emerson Mnangawa has announced that churches are now allowed to reopen but following strict social distancing and Covid-19 guidelines. By Michael Gwarisa In a national address on the state broadcaster, President Mnangagwa said the church was part of the essential services and the country needed spiritual healing. He also declared Monday, 15 June as the Presidential National Day of Prayer and Fasting I wish to acknowledge that our church leaders are essential personnel in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. “Going forward gatherings for the purpose of worship not…

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Government clears quarantine centres

Healthtimes

ANOTHER 285 returnees went home yesterday after testing negative for Covid-19 in mandatory quarantine facilities, with 115 more set to get their test results tomorrow. SOURCE: THE HERALD The continued quarantining of returning residents is instrumental in controlling the spread of Covid-19 as the overwhelming majority of infected Zimbabweans were infected outside the country with only a small minority being infected within the community. Yesterday, another six patients, all returning Zimbabweans, were confirmed as infected, bringing the cumulative total of confirmed infections to 320, although 49 of these have now…

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ZICHIRE Takes SAFE SPACES Training To Uzumba

Michael Gwarisa

ZICHIRE a Civil Society Organisation implementing community based public health programmes and building of resilient communities has taken their SAFE SPACE program to Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) in a bid to educate communities on issues around Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Reproductive Health (SRHR) among issues. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, ZICHIRE program manager, Mr Walter Chikanya said the training also incorporated sign Language Training for ZiCHIRe’s community cadres conducting SAFE SPACE program in UMP so as to cater even for people with disabilities who are…

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COVID-19 could reverse gains made for African children, warns Save the Children

Michael Gwarisa

THE COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse progress made for children in Africa by years or even decades, with economic aftershocks risking to push an additional 33 million children into poverty, according to Save the Children. With malaria levels projected to rise to levels of some 20 years ago, an estimated 265 million younger children out of school because of COVID-19 and the virus added to the factors driving food insecurity, the pandemic is expected to have a long term impact on children, despite early decisive action taken by many African…

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ZCSOSUNA Engages Nutrition Champions To Raise Awareness In Communities

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA) is in the process of engaging experts from various fields to act as Nutrition Champions in a bid to drive the nutrition message at grassroots level. By Michael Gwarisa The nutrition champions will be drawn from Media, Music and Arts industry, Parliament, Private Sector and government. Speaking on the development, ZCSOSUNA National Coordinator, Mr Kudakwashe Zombe said the move was meant to simplify and demystify some of the myths society has on nutrition through using individuals they are familiar with.…

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#JUSTIN: Gvt Terminates All DRAX Contracts

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has directed the National Pharmaceutical Company (NTAPHARM) to terminate with immediate effect all contracts  with DRAX Consult SAGL for the delivery of Medicines and surgical sundires. In a letter written to Mrs Florah Sifeku, the NATPHARM Managing Director, the ministry’s acting permanent secretary, Dr Gibson said the cancellation of all the contracts should be completed by Friday, June 12 2020. You are being directed to cancel ALL contracts that you had with Drax SAGL with immediate effect. Please be advised that this…

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#COVID-19: NAC Adjusts HIV Services According To COVID-19 Framework

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Aids Council (NAC) says it has modified its operations in accordance with the new COVID-19 environment in a bid to avoid disruption of critical services under the prevailing pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa In an Interview with HealthTimes, NAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Benard Madzima said services were largely affected at the initial stages of the lockdown owing to strict restrictions which characterized the environment then but they have since found innovative ways of availing critical services to communities across the country. Since the start of the national…

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Bill & Melinda Gates Pledges US$1.6 billion To Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, To Protect The Next Generation With Vaccines

Healthtimes

THE Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced a five-year, US$1.6 billion commitment to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to deliver lifesaving vaccines to the world’s poorest countries. The commitment was announced at the Global Vaccine Summit 2020, hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom. Funding secured today for Gavi’s next strategic period will help the Alliance reach an additional 300 million children in the world’s most vulnerable communities and save up to eight million lives, bringing the total number of children immunized with Gavi support to more…

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#Talking COVID-19 WITH Dr Grant: Collectivism Is The Key To Achieving Successful Control Of The Covid-19 Outbreak In Zimbabwe

Healthtimes
Dr Grant Murewanhema

THE past three weeks have seen a continued upward trend in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, which now stand at 279 (though the active number stands at 242. At the moment, we haven’t reached the community transmission stage, though we have reported a few sporadic cases here and there. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Whilst the situation is still containable, its not certain where we are headed to with pandemic. The possible scenarios include an exponential increase in the number of cases in the following few weeks, a continued but…

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Zim Quarantine Facilities Still Experiencing Test Kits Shortages- ZADHR

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has raised alarm of the low testing levels across Zimbabwe’s quarantine facilities as a result of shortages of test kits. By Michael Gwarisa According to the ZADHR’s 6th COVID-19 Monitoring and Advocacy Report, the shortages have resulted in test kits being priced way above the reach of many. Over the past 2 weeks ZADHR has received reports of shortages of screening and test kits at quarantine centres in Harare, Gweru, Chinhoyi and Victoria Falls and in some cases returnees being asked…

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