Category: #COVID19

WHO Director Slams Racist French Doctors Who Suggested Africa As COVID-19 Vaccine Testing Ground

Michael Gwarisa

DIRECTOR General for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has taken a swipe at French scientists and medical doctors for suggesting that Africa should be testing ground for COVI-19 Vaccine trials. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Tedros said the remarks by the scientists were nothing more than racist rants and a hangover from a colonial mentality. There was comment I think last week where some couple of scientists said the testing ground for the vaccine will be Africa. Honestly, I was so appalled. These remarks  came at a…

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#JUSTIN: Zim Gvt Allows Herbalist To Treat Covid19 Patients

Healthtimes

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has given popular herbalist, Mr Kenneth Chivizhe the green light to run treatment on Covid19 patients. By Michael Gwarisa Health Secretary, Dr Agnes Mahomva said the mentioned herbalist says his herbs can treat Covid-19 like symptoms and should be allowed to operate. “The government of Zimbabwe recognises the use of traditional medicines. To this end, a registered traditional medical practitioner (TMP) can prescribe or administer traditional medicines to his or her patients,” said Dr Mahomva. Read Dr Mahomva’s letter to Dr Chonzi 

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BCG Vaccine Behind Zim’s Low COVID-19 Infections Says Indian Doctor

Healthtimes

New Delhi: Countries that do not have a BCG vaccination policy saw ten times greater incidence of and mortality from Covid-19, compared with those who do, a forthcoming study from medical researchers in the US and UK, which analysed data from 178 countries, has found. SOURCE: The Economic Times BCG, or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, is a vaccine for tuberculosis and is administered at birth in countries that have historically suffered from the disease, such as India. Many rich nations, such as the US, Italy and Holland, have never had a universal…

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How To BEST Prevent and Treat Covid-19 In Resource Limited Settings

Healthtimes

WE are all watching with horror as COVID-19 overwhelms the world’s most advanced health systems in Asia, Europe, and North America, leading to tremendous suffering and death. Clinicians, scientists, and communities in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are bracing themselves. Health systems in some of the most resource-constrained areas are fragile and already under strain – and in crowded slums and townships, social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures to slow the spread will be difficult to implement. There is a very narrow…

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Anxiety Grows Over Zim Low COVID-19 Testing Capacity

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWEANS are beginning to question the authenticity of COVID-19 results from the National Microbiology testing laboratory due to the low testing levels which most believe do not mirror the actual rate of infection on the ground. By Michael Gwarisa ` Even though more than 16000 people have returned to Zimbabwe since the virus was reported early this year, only 329 tests have been done to date. Of the 329 COVID-19 tests that have been done, 320 have come out negative. In an Interview with HealthTimes, Community Working Group on Health…

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Strive Masiyiwa donates ventilators in Covid-19 response

Michael Gwarisa

Econet’s Strive Masiyiwa has donated 45 full Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilator suites to be distributed to Zimbabwe’s public hospitals. SOURCE: NEWSDAY The country has been facing a severe shortage of ventilators which are key in managing patients with Covid-19. Zimbabwe is not the only country which has been struggling to secure the life saving equipment which cost from $15,000 up to $100,000 each. Globally countries have raised concerns over lack of these machines which are critical in patients struggling to breath on. The death of broadcaster Zororo Makamba exposed…

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MSU Joins the War Against COVID-19 through the Production of Hand Sanitiser and PPE

Healthtimes

AS the world continues to grapple with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) governments, corporates, institutions and individuals across the world are coming together in an effort to save the lives of infected patients and to protect those that are working on the frontline among them healthcare workers and other essential service providers. However, due to the disruptive effects of the pandemic, most counties do not have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitary products which are needed to protect people from exposure. Zimbabwe like most nations has not been…

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#JUSTIN: Police To Use Water Cannons To Disinfect Harare Covid-19 Hotspots

Healthtimes

THE City of Harare in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has advised residents in Harare to comply with the directive to stay at home as they conduct a more extensive disinfection of the Covid-19 hot-spots. By Michael Gwarisa In a tweet, City of Harare said, “Dear Residents, We advise you that we are being assisted by ZRP to disinfect all hotspots in the City. ” These include Mbare Musika, Mbare Hostels, and all CBD bus ranks. Police will be using vehicles traditionally used during riot control.”

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Plasma, The Most Critical Blood Component For COVID-19 Treatment

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE this week commenced its 21 days lockdown as a response to the growing cases of the COVID-19 in the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has nine confirmed COVID-19 cases but with increased testing, cases are likely to increase in the coming weeks. In his address prior to the commencement of the Lockdown, President Emerson Mnangagwa hinted that essential services and critical staff in various key sectors will be reporting for work even during the shutdown period. The National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is among those organisations whose…

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Funeral Companies Suspend Burials For All COVID-19 Deaths

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE Funeral Service companies have adopted a cocktail of measures in their handling of removals and burials for their members amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The development comes after Zimbabwe has recorded eight confirmed COVID-19 cases including one death while on a global scale, the virus has infected hundreds of thousands of lives and claimed more than 35 000 lives. In response to the COVID-19, Funeral services providers met with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to discuss handling of removals and burials moving forward. See Attached Memo…

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