Category: Health News

UNICEF Zimbabwe launches child focused data repository

Kuda Pembere

UNICEF Zimbabwe on Wednesday launched a data repository platform for data and statistics on child-focused indicators to strengthen evidence based, and data driven approach to programming, strategy formation and advocacy. By Staff Reporter The repository, which is a first of its kind in Africa, is a result of accumulated data that was extracted from various national survey sources across a number of years, designed to consolidate different data sources into a single unified platform for easy access, analysis and reporting. The repository provides real-time provision of updated national and sub-national…

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Private Health Insurance (Medical Aid) and Huge Shortfalls in Zimbabwe: Policymakers playing ducks and drakes

Healthtimes

By: Enock Musungwini, MPH, MBA Introduction A shortfall is the difference between what a health service provider charges for a patient’s treatment and what the medical insurance company will pay for that service. Shortfalls are sometimes presented as a co-payment, which is the gap between what the Private Health Insurance (PHI) company or medical aid pays to the health service provider for service rendered to the patient and what the health service provider will have charged the patient, known as a tariff. According to Suriyawongpaisal et al. (2016), huge shortfalls…

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FAO teams up with Zimbabwe and Mozambique in fighting Foot and Mouth Disease O and Theileriosis

Kuda Pembere

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has availed US$500 000 for the implementation of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) between Zimbabwe and Mozambique to enhance the mitigation of theileriosis while controlling the spread of Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) Serotype O across Southern Africa. By Kuda Pembere To both countries, the control of these diseases is important for the improvement of food and nutrition security alongside access to markets for livestock and their products. The TCP according to FAO is not considered a stand-alone intervention by…

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Mkundi Foundation Scoops Philanthropic Award

Healthtimes

Mkundi Foundation, a youth led organization that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and help youths achieve their dreams, was recognized by CADAV National Philanthropic Awards for its achievements in equipping people living with disabilities. By Nthokozo Gudu The inaugural national awards ceremony was held in Harare last week ,attended by different community based organizations across the nation. Mkundi Foundation founder and Executive director, Ian Vambe expressed excitement on winning the award, As Mkundi Foundation, we thrive to change the lives of people with disabilities. Getting an award…

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Tavern Of Life: Concession Pub Transforms Into Vibrant Clinic

Michael Gwarisa

For decades, Dandamira bar in Ward 15, Concession, Mazowe District, had served wise waters to thirsty revellers from within the community and passers-by. Pleasure managers and those who grew up in the area during the Tavern’s heyday confess that the pub would even eclipse some morden urban joints. By Michael Gwarisa Despite the flowery history the building holds, its clients from Dandamira and other surrounding wards were struggling to access basic healthcare services. For several years, people from the community would walk or travel 7 Kilometres to Concession District Hospital…

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WHO to partner with MSU in health research

Healthtimes

RESEARCH is critical in enhancing the health and wellbeing of Zimbabweans and sustainable future for all, a top World Health Organization Zimbabwe Office official recently said. By Staff Reporter WHO Zimbabwe Coubtry Representative Professor Jean-Marie Dangou said this during a tour of the Midlands State University (MSU) to discuss potential collaborations with the University. Professor Dangou notioned his support for research which will improve health in Africa. He reiterated that WHO will invest in locally-driven research findings that will be translated into policy and action. “I believe that research is…

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Mahumunya/ Mumps Outbreak Hits Harare

Michael Gwarisa

An infectious disease, Mumps or Maumunya, has been recorded in Harare, Zimbabwe, raising fears that the disease could spread rapidly in children. By Staff Reporter The alert was raised by the Harare City Health Department Director, Dr. Prosper Chonzi who indicated in a statement that cases have already been recorded in health centres and community schools. We, therefore, request through your wider network to communicate with parents and guardians referencing this letter to mobilise them to bring forward all children and adults who got infected with Mumps to visit their…

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Africa Needs to Strengthen Disease Surveillance and Innovation to Address Re-emerging Infectious Diseases- Dr Nyirenda

Michael Gwarisa

The world is slowly recovering from the ravaging effects of COVID-19 which lasted close to three years before the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that it was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). According to WHO data, globally, as of 2 August 2023, an estimated 6,953,743 COVID-19 deaths and 768,983,095 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported to WHO. By Michael Gwarisa While the risk of COVID-19 has subsided, and the rest of the world seems to be moving forward, Africa is experiencing a new wave…

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Zimbabwe Pilots Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Prompt Bilharzia Testing and Case Identification At Point of Care

Michael Gwarisa

Professor Qin Zhiqing, an Associate Professor at the China National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPR) has been in Zimbabwe for the past two months and together with a team from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), a department in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), they have been conducting a Schistosomiasis pilot study in Shamva District. By Michael Gwarisa As part of their study, they are also assessing the use of Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) to detect and identify Schistosomiasis Cases in communities. At a laboratory site…

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Zim Out Of COVID-19 Danger…Authorities Stop Issuing Daily Covid Stats

Healthtimes

The Zimbabwean government believes COVID-19 is no longer a national health threat and should now be treated just like any other diseases such as flu or an ordinary headache. By Kudakwashe Pembere The development follows the recent announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the disease was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Following this declaration by the World Health Organisation, and after a a series of recording between one and Zero COVID cases daily, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), gradually phased…

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