Category: Features

How Tragedy Birthed Mpilo Hospital’s Pediatric Cardiac Care Unit

Michael Gwarisa

A Cardiac ward for children experiencing heart related complications was recently launched at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, marking the beginning of a journey that will see the country reducing morbidity and mortality in children due to cardiac health conditions. By Michael Gwarisa The Cardiac ward at Mpilo was established by an organization called the Brave Little Hearts in Zimbabwe (BLHZ) that was founded by a young woman, Tendai Moyo. However, many might not know the story behind the birth of Brave Little hearts an organization that saw the pediatric…

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Exclusive!!! MCAZ Speaks On COVID-19 Vaccines Linked Reactions In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE commenced its national vaccination initiative in February, 2021, kickstarting a campaign that would later yield positive results in the country’s COVID-19 management matrix. Even though only 14% of the national population has been vaccinated to date, available Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) data shows that vaccination has been working in minimizing the risk of developing severe infections and deaths. However, since commencement of the national vaccination program, there has been speculation and skepticism around vaccination, vaccine hesitancy and vaccine phobia as citizens adopted a laid-back approach towards…

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Rise In Suicides Among Zim Male Tertiary Students Exposes Need for Peer-to-Peer Counseling in Zim Universities and Colleges

Michael Gwarisa

AS the world marks Suicide prevention Month this September, a rather disturbing trend has reared its ugly head in Zimbabwe. Within a space four weeks, two local tertiary male students have committed suicide over matters of the heart. It’s possible that there could be more other male students struggling with mental health issues right now and probably contemplating the worst and without proper mechanisms and interventions in place, more lives could be lost. By Michael Gwarisa Suicide is preventable but why is it that we continue losing lives to this…

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Embracing My Beautiful Scars: Christine’s Journey With Vitiligo

Michael Gwarisa

“IF you look closely at a tree, you will notice its knots and dead branches, just like our bodies. What we learn is that Beauty and imperfection goes together wonderfully,” said renowned American Actor and philanthropist, Matthew Fox in one of his famous Quotes. By Michael Gwarisa The above quote aptly sums how one 21-year-old Christine Tafadzwanashe Matyavira, a young Zimbabwean model from Mbizo, Kwekwe and a University of Zimbabwe Film, Radio and Television Production student has changed the course of her life by accepting her skin condition and using…

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Tattooing Your Loved Ones’ Images Or Names On Your Bodies Could Cause Serious Mental Health Issues When The Relationship Ends In Tears- Psychologist

Michael Gwarisa

LOVE is a beautiful thing and should be celebrated in any way possible. People have different ways of showing and expressing love and affection. Of late, the practice of having a loved one’s name or face tattooed to one’s body has become trendy and the in thing. By Michael Gwarisa Maybe before delving into the gist of this article, it is critical to speak briefly on the background of tattoos and how they became a part of our lives. A tattoo is defined as an indelible or permanent mark fixed…

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How To Make A Police Report For A Rape Or Sexual Gender Based Violence Offense?

Michael Gwarisa

MANY a time, survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) or rape find themselves between a rock and hard surface after a rape crime would have been perpetrated against them. Due to information gaps, some rape survivors fail to take the necessary post rape procedures and keep the rape a secret leading to some health complications. By Michael Gwarisa It is imperative to note that in as much as rape or SGBV is a crime, it is first and foremost a health emergency. Thus, survivors are advised to seek…

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Isolated And Frowned Upon: The Plight Of Zim Women With Obstetric Fistula

Michael Gwarisa

 UNFPA Says there is need for post-surgery psycho-social support for survivors MEMORY (50) (real name protected) from Bikita, Masvingo experienced Obstetric Fistula for the first time on October, 27, 1995 when she had her second child. At first, she didn’t even know what was happening to her, she thought it was just a minor tearing which would heal after a few days. Obstetric fistula is described as the “most devastating birth injury” by the World Health Organization (WHO), that results in continuous and uncontrollable leaking of urine or faeces, resulting…

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COVID-19 and coronavirus in people living with HIV

Healthtimes

Key points People with HIV appear to have a slightly increased risk of dying from COVID-19. People with HIV who have underlying health conditions such as obesity, poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure appear to be at higher risk. In general, the most important risk factors for death from COVID-19 are old age, an organ transplant and a recent diagnosis of a cancer of the blood. Vaccines against COVID-19 are highly effective in preventing serious illness. They are not thought to be less effective in people with HIV, but…

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Ensuring a better future for future generations: A journey towards curbing the HIV epidemic

Healthtimes

IT is past midday and Portia* (22) arrives at a local Clinic in Filabusi, Matabeleland South, after a seven-kilometre walk from her homestead. Winter is fast approaching, and it is windy, she bends down to wipe the dust off her feet using a cloth and fixes her mask as she walks briskly towards the gate. From a distance, she sees the clinic is not as busy as she had anticipated. By Tariro Mhute and Osiah Chinemo She quickly washes her hands with the soapy water at the entrance and cheerfully…

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Macheke Married Woman Turns To Sex Work To Raise University Tuition

Michael Gwarisa

ELIZABETH (not real name) (33) could not enroll in University or College at a young age owing to a myriad of factors  chief among them being economic factors and lack of funds to support her through tertiary education. When the Women’s University In Africa (WUA) opened up applications for block release studies, she applied and enrolled for a Bachelor of Social Work, Honors Degree. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Macheke Elizabeth is married, but her husband has since migrated into the diaspora where he is doing some menial jobs and…

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