Category: Child Health

Donor Reliance Threatens Family Planning Efforts- USAID

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter ZIMBABWE’S high dependence on donor support threatens efforts to address family planning issues the country is facing, a top USAID official has said. ALSO READ: Zim Beats Global Family Planning Target  Speaking at the Family Planning Symposium, Hillary Chiguvare from USAID said such foreign dependency was not sustainable adding that it’s time for government to increase its allocation to health. “There is an agreement now that relying on foreign funding is not sustainable, it actually threatens family planning support and program, I think it’s now time we…

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Iron Deficiency Common In Zim Toddlers and Pregnant Woman

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa LACK of proper nutrients in foods consumed in Zimbabwe has led to a surge in iron deficiency and anemia cases amongst toddlers and pregnant woman, a ministry of health official has said. Presenting during a Communication for Development discussion on the implementation of the National Nutrition Communication Strategy organised by UNICEF today, Nutritionist in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dexter Chagwena said cases of malnutrition in toddlers and pregnant women were high in Zimbabwe hence the need for food fortification. “Food fortification involves including minute levels…

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Female Condom Uptake Still Low

Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa UPTAKE of female condoms is currently at 0.1% owing to a myriad of factors chief among them being cultural and religious beliefs, HealthTimes has learnt. Briefing a Media Workshop organised by UNFPA in Kadoma  this morning, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Assistant Director Evaluation and Research Lovejoy Gamba said they intend to reduce teenage pregnancies from 24% to 12% by 2020. “The ZNFPC aims to increase Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) from 59% to 68% and reduce teenage pregnancy from the current 24% to 125 by 2020.…

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Teen Pregnancies Rock Chimanimani

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By Michael Gwarisa A total of 237 teenage girls have given birth at Mutambara Mission Hospital since the beginning of the year. Briefing ministry of health officials and donors, officials at the Hospital confirmed the sad development and blamed the presence of illegal miners in the Rusitu and Hotsprings areas. “Teen pregnancies is a major challenge in Chimanimani district, 237 teenagers have given birth Mutambara mission hospital since January. “Mutsvangwa, Rusitu & Hotsprings are hot spots in teen preg in Chimanimani district mostly because of illegal mining activities in these areas. Mutambara…

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Traditional Leaders Driving Primary Health Care

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By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mapanzure TRADITIONAL leaders have always been key figures in the upholding of societal standards and effecting laws that guide and protect citizens since time immemorial. Under the African setup, traditional leaders in this case, chiefs, village headmen, district officers, Councillors among others play a pivotal role in determining the fate of their people. In Zimbabwe, traditional leaders hold key functions even at top political levels as the constitution of Zimbabwe recognises the role of traditional chiefs and leaders. It is through their influence that traditional…

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Zim Doctors Call For Abortion Legalisation

Healthtimes

Staff Reporter THE Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZDHR) has called for the repealing of the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1997 which barres women from engaging in wilful termination of pregnancy outside prescribed circumstances. According to the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1997 [Chapter 15:10], no woman is allowed to terminate pregnancy willingly unless under scenarios such as rape, incest and medical complications. In a statement, ZDHR said the ACT was doing more harm than good to the majority of young women who are losing lives in the process…

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Parirenyatwa Responds To Msarara On Food Fortification

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By Michael Gwarisa  HEALTH and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa has rubbished claims that the mandatory food fortification drive being spearheaded by government would lead to closure of more milling companies as being suggested by grain millers chair Tafadzwa Msarara , HealthTimes can reveal. Briefing Journalists this morning, Minister Parirenyatwa said there was nothing wrong with food fortification and government had done enough consulting with grain millers at a national level to enlighten them on advantages fortification has on the citizens. “We have been with the Grain Millers Association…

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