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Zimbabwe-China Partnership Launches Pilot Project To Eliminate Bilharzia

July 24, 2023July 24, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

A new China-Zimbabwe cooperation pilot project for the control and elimination of Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) could fast-track Zimbabwe’s efforts to eliminate the disease, HealthTimes has learned. By Michael Gwarisa in Shamva The project follows the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which has seen Zimbabwe become the first country on the continent to benefit from the China-Africa Corporation Initiative for the elimination of Schistosomiasis. The study has been jointly initiated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) in Zimbabwe, and…

New WHO guidance on HIV viral suppression and scientific updates released at IAS 2023

July 23, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

BRISBANE, 23 July 2023 – The World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing new scientific and normative guidance on HIV at the 12th International IAS (the International AIDS Society) Conference on HIV Science. New WHO guidance and an accompanying Lancet systematic review released today describe the role of HIV viral suppression and undetectable levels of virus in both improving individual health and halting onward HIV transmission. The guidance describes key HIV viral load thresholds and the approaches to measure levels of virus against these thresholds; for example, people living with HIV…

When Communities Take Up Leading Role In Improving Maternal and Child Health

July 23, 2023July 24, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

When the world locked down in 2020 at the back of a COVID-19 pandemic, all health services left for COVID-19-related interventions were heavily disrupted. Maternal and Child Health were among some of the most affected services as health facilities offering services continued to face significant challenges compromising the quality of care By Michael Gwarisa Even though data points to an increase in institutional deliveries since the year 2016 in Zimbabwe, a decline was noted during the COVID-19 era. This was largely attributed to the disruption in maternal health services and…

ZACH Urges Government To Support Pregnant Teens

July 22, 2023 Healthtimes

PARENTS are finding the toll of teen mothers heavy hence the need for Government to at least chip in with material support. By Nthokozo Gudu Zimbabwe is battling the scourge of teen pregnancies with civil society organisations advocating for access to sexual and reproductive health services. Addressing journalists at the press conference SASA Programme coordinator Dennis Dzikiti said communities feel that the government should have support systems for impregnated girl children whose marriages cannot be sanctioned, Communities feel that the government should chip in and assist with material support in…

Zim’s Government Analyst Lab gets ISO Certification

July 22, 2023 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE’S Government Analyst Laboratory (GAL) has attained the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification which will see improved testing of agrifood products at international standards. By Kuda Pembere and Nthokozo Gudu Officiating the handover ceremony of the certification on behalf of the Health and Child Care Ministry permanent secretary Air Commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza, Chief Director for Human Resources, Dr Simon Nyadundu said this certification has helped the Government Analyst Lab improve its capacity. It is my pleasure to be here officiating at this very important function where we are receiving the certification…

Workplace Stigma Against TB Survivors On The Rise In Zimbabwe

July 21, 2023 Kuda Pembere

Documented cases of discrimination against TB patients and survivors in the workplace environment, have been increasing over the years been reported in most settings in Zimbabwe with some employers going to the extent of dismissing survivors under unclear circumstances. By Kudakwashe Pembere recently in Kwekwe This was revealed during the presentation of the Community Rights and Gender Assessment findings in Kwekwe on Wednesday by Jointed Hands Welfare Organization (JHWO) director Dr Donald Tobaiwa. He said they learned from the assessment that a lot of former miners were dismissed without getting…

“Practice responsible journalism on people who use drugs”

July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 Healthtimes

AS Zimbabwe is seized with a drug and substance abuse epidemic mainly among among the youthful population, journalists have been advised to use responsible language that does not discriminate or endanger the lives of people using drugs. By Nthokozo Gudu This was said by various stakeholders who attended a journalists at a training on capacity building on harm reduction and accurate reporting on drug use held in Harare recently and hosted by Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN). ZCLDN Director, Mr Wilson Box said the language used on reporting…

‘Low HIV viral load suppression in Zim pediatrics’

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 Kuda Pembere

THE 2023 UNAIDS Global AIDS Update shows Zimbabwe performing exceptionally well in the 95-95-95 targets amongst adults, but much needs to be done regarding children under 15 as 69 percent of these children knew their status with 69 percent being initiated on ART while 59 percent had their viral load suppressed in 2022. By Kudakwashe Pembere This sluggish progress for children was attributed to the fact that children are largely dependent on their adult caregivers. In 2022, Zimbabwean women surpassed the 95-95-95 targets recording 98–97–95 compared to Zimbabwean men who…

NAC’S sponsored Zimbabwe Women Amateur Golf Tournament goes into fourth year

July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 Kuda Pembere

ABOUT partnership between the National AIDS Council (NAC) and the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU), continues to grow with year’s Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament which starts on Friday expected to attract more numbers up for cervical screening. By Kudakwashe Pembere Cervical cancer screening helps identify cancer at an early stage before it can cause symptoms. Ending on Sunday, the tournament brings will see other countries such as Kenya and Zambia taking part in the tournament. Addressing the media at a press conference, Margaret Vera said this is year’s tourney will…

Inequalities In Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Could Trigger A Zombie Apocalypse In Zimbabwe

July 13, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

While the world is slowly recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe seems to be entering a dark phase, where a drug and substance abuse epidemic has hit the country, largely affecting the youthful and productive population. By Michael Gwarisa This has been pushed mainly by the availability of new psychoactive substances on the Zimbabwean market, with anecdotal evidence pointing to broncleer, ecstasy, cocaine, injectable pethidine, ketamine, marijuana, and crystal meth use. Also, the non-performance of the Zimbabwean economy, which led to idleness amongst the youthful populations, COVID-19…