Category: #COVID19

United States assistance to Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 national response now exceeds US$6 million

Healthtimes

THROUGH the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has committed US$3 million from the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 National Preparedness and Response Plan. HealthTimes Reporter This new donation brings to over US$6 million the total amount that the United States has committed to the fight against COVID-19 in Zimbabwe, while continuing to respond to the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe. CDC will award the new funding in early May 2020 through existing CDC Zimbabwe implementing…

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Mandatory Rapid Testing For All Employees As Economy Partially Opens

Healthtimes

MINISTER of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo, during a media briefing yesterday, announced Government’s plans for a mandatory Covid-19 rapid testing for all employees in order to combat the spread of the viral disease. In order to test more people, Government has included mission and local authority health institutions to carry out Covid-19 testing. “Designated Government, mission hospitals and local authority institutions that conduct routine screening and medical examinations for workers will now also conduct COVID rapid testing,” said Dr Moyo. Dr Moyo said the decentralisation process has…

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Deforestation, Pollution Drive Zim’s Medicinal Herbs Into Near Extinction

Michael Gwarisa

EXTRACTION of medicines from the natural vegetation for both traditional and scientific medical purposes is under threat owing to uncontrolled deforestation and environmental pollution by industries, a top traditional healer has said. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Friday Chishanyu, the president for the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association (ZINPA), an organisation which represents traditional healers including herbalists said unlike in the old days, they now have to travel long distances in search of herbs owing to deforestation and the effects of climate change. We now have…

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Zim COVID-19 Funds Looted

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has raised alarm over the looting of funds meant for combating the COVID-19 disease in the country by government ministries and departments under the guise of domestic allowances. By Michael Gwarisa In a letter addressed to various departments and ministries, Finance and economic development ministry permanent secretary, George Guvamatanga said there  has been an increase in payment runs requesting for processing of domestic allowances narrated as COVID-19 payments during the lockdown period. As you are aware, the pronouncement of the lockdown through statutory Instrument 81 and 82 clearly called…

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#JUSTIN: ED Extends Lockdown By Another 14 Days…Relaxes Restrictions For Formal Sector

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a partial relaxation of the National Lockdown to level 2 starting Monday, May 4, 2020. By Michael Gwarisa He said the relaxation will be observed for the next 14 days but strict public requirements such as mandatory wearing of face masks, among other measures will be observed. Gyms, churches and other recreational services remain closed. The informal sector ie. Mshikashika, vending etc remain closed. More details to follow…

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CWGH Salutes Zim Front-line Health Workers Fighting COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group On Health (CWGH) has paid tribute to health workers at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle despite Zimbabwe’s health delivery system being in shambles. By Michael Gwarisa In their workers day solidarity day message, CWGH Executive Director Mr Itai Rusike said it was high time government recognizes health workers and pay meaningful and livable wages. This year’s national Worker’s Day theme; “Stop Covid-19 Pandemic: Scale up social protection and dialogue, save jobs and pay a living wage”, befits the current environment which emphasizes stopping the spread…

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STANBIC JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

LEADING financial services institution, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, has put its shoulder on the wheel in the fight against Covid-19 by pledging an assortment of the much-needed equipment worth US$200 000. HealthTimes Reporter The Standard Bank Group subsidiary is geared to donate a total of 5 ventilators; 32 500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in the form of suits, masks, face shields and goggles; 2 400 PCR tests, 3 000 sanitizer bottles and 2 boreholes which will be drilled in two selected high-density suburbs of Bulawayo and Harare. Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Head…

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Call To Investigate China & WHO Over COVID-19 Spread Justified Says US Ambassador To Zim

Michael Gwarisa

CHINA was not sincere in reporting its Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections when the pandemic broke out in Wuhan, hence the need for a probe into China and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) hand in the prevailing global health crisis, United States (US) envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Brian Nicholas has said. By Michael Gwarisa ` Ambassador Nicholas said this during an interview with ZIFM Stereo, a local radio station. He said President Donal Trump was justified to call for an inquest into China and the WHO as they both did not act…

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Traditional Healers Call For Collaboration With Scientists To Fight COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE National Practitioners Association (ZINPA) president, Mr Friday Chishanyu has called for genuine collaboration between traditional medicines practitioners and scientists in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc across the globe. By Michael Gwarisa According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, 80 percent of the global population rely on traditional medicines for treatment and 80 percent of Zimbabwe’s population also rely on indigenous medicines. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chishanyu  said even though they can’t claim to have a cure for COVID-19, a number of…

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WHO Lauds Zim’s Broad Case Definition Criteria

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation Zimbabwe Office has commended the nation for reviewing the case definition to trace as many people for testing. By HealthTimes Reporter The WHO Zimbabwe Country Representative Dr Alex Gasasira said in an interview that Zimbabwe can increase its testing capacity through this measure. In fact I would say the number of cases started increasing because the protocol that Zimbabwe is using for testing has been broadened. Recently the Ministry of Health and Child Care increased the number of people who need to be tested,” he said.…

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