NBSZ Enforces Social Distancing For Blood Donors

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has introduced a raft of measures among them social distancing to curb the spread as well as prevent contamination of blood and blood products with the Coronavirus (Covid-19). By Michael Gwarisa NBSZ Chief Executive Officer Ms Lucy Marowa said blood was a daily need and despite the fact that Zimbabwe and the world is grappling with Covid-19, blood remains a necessity. As a key player in the Zimbabwe health sector, NBSZ takes the well-being of blood donors, colleagues, customers and blood partners seriously.…

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COVID-19 Inter-ministerial taskforce Propose More Isolation Treatment Centres

THE Zimbabwean cabinet has agreed that there be more treatment and isolation centres in government health institutions as part of Government’s Response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By Kuda Pembere This was announced during post cabinet media briefing today. “Cabinet considered and approved the Action Plan as presented by Hon. Vice President K.C.D. Mohadi, as Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on COVID-19. “Key among the proposed actions were that COVID-19 treatment and isolation centres be mapped in the following locations, 5 Central/Referral Hospitals, 10 Provincial Hospitals, 52 District Hospitals under the…

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Health Minister Explains Why Zim Covid-19 Results Come Out At Night

MINISTER of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Dr Obadiah Moyo says Zimbabwe Coronavirus (COVID-19) results take longer to release owing to the testing method the country is using. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Moyo told a post cabinet media briefing that Zimbabwe was still using the Polymerised Chain Reaction (PCR) testing scheme which takes longer than the Rapid Testing method which takes less than 15 minutes to produce results. “The reason why our results take longer to come out is to do with the testing scheme. We have to batch the…

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TelOne Offers Online Workout Sessions During Lockdown Period

ZIMBABWE’S Telecommunications giant, TelOne has engaged professional fitness trainers to provide live virtual workout sessions to the generality of Zimbabweans during the national Lockdown period which kicked off yesterday, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking to HealthTimes, TelOne Head Corporate Communications and Client Expertise,  Melody Harry said the move was meant to boost morale and mental health for the citizenry during the lockdown period. We have engaged professional fitness trainers who will be recording sessions for our pages daily. They will also be live to respond to questions. “The…

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ROOTS Africa Buys Basic Goods For The Vulnerable During Zim Lockdown

A local humanitarian organisation, ROOTS Africa has embarked on an initiative to hand out basic daily commodities and necessities  to vulnerable groups during the 21 days national lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe commenced its lockdown on Monday, March 30 2020 amidst nationwide panic buying as citizens prepared for the three weeks long phase indoors. In an interview with HealthTimes, ROOTS Africa Director, Beatrice Savadye said in as much as they welcome the national lockdown, it affected livelihoods of many people especially those who survive from hand to mouth hence…

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Zim Doctors Worried Over State Of Health Systems Amid COVID-19

THE Zimbabwe Doctors For Human Rights (ZADHR) has raised concern over the state state of local health systems in light of the prevailing health catastrophe which has claimed more than 35 000 lives and infected 750 000 others. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has eight confirmed COVID-19 Cases and one death according to the ministry of health and child care. However, the doctors have indicated that the country’s management of COVID-19 could be hampered by poor systems such poor tracking of suspected cases, poor infrastructure amongst a host of other…

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Gvt Unfreezes 4000 Health Posts To Battle Covid-19

TREASURY has approved the unfreezing of health posts in Zimbabwe as part of Zimbabwe’s Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Response. By Kuda Pembere At a time when the Health Ministry alongside health workers’ unions and health Civil Society Organisations have been calling for the unfreezing of health posts, it took the overwhelming threat of COVID-19 to Zimbabweans lives for the Finance Ministry to accede. “Treasury has also concurred to the freezing of over 4 000 health sector posts, and creation of an additional 200 medical posts with a view of scaling to…

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Zimbabweans Heed Lockdown Call

ZIMBABWEANS across the country’s 10 provinces have heeded to the call for a 21 days Lockdown. By Kuda Pembere In a bid to try containing the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a national lockdown which however spared essential services providers including supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals. At Mbare Musika a famed crowded area with bus termini and vegetable markets, there is little activity. In High density areas few people can be seen roaming in the streets. There are privately owned commuter omnibuses save for the Zimbabwe…

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20 Years In Jail For Spreading Fake News On COVID-19

 THE government has gazetted tough new laws that could see people spending up to 20 years in prison for spreading fake news on the novel coronavirus. SOURCE: NEWSDAY According to Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, people who peddle information deemed false by the government face up to 20 years in prison, a hefty fine or both. “For the avoidance of doubt any person who publishes or communicates false news about any public officer involved with enforcing or implementing the national lockdown in his or her capacity as such, or about…

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#COVID-19: Harare Resident Moves To Block Setting Up Of Upmarket Covid-19 Health Centre

Case Alert 28 March 2020   AN aggrieved Harare resident on Saturday 28 March 2020 filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court seeking an order to stop the establishment of a medical facility in a residential suburb to cater for some people suffering from the deadly coronavirus. In an application filed at the High Court, Roger Stringer, a resident of Mt Pleasant suburb in Harare protested against the renovation and upgrading of Rock Foundation Medical Facility, which according to media reports is being turned into an isolation centre…

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