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Enhancing preparedness to tackle rising zoonotic diseases in Africa

April 5, 2023April 12, 2023 Healthtimes

The ongoing Marburg virus disease outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania are the latest of several zoonotic diseases reported in the African region. The region has seen an increase of such outbreaks, recording a 63% rise between 2012 and 2022 compared with the previous decade. Zoonotic diseases represent approximately 32% of the region’s infectious disease outbreak reported between 2001 and 2022. Dr Tieble Traore, Emergency Preparedness Technical Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, explains how African countries should prepare to effectively respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks such as Marburg.…

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Criminal Offenses Spike in Zimbabwe

April 5, 2023April 12, 2023 Kuda Pembere

About 6 700 cases were recorded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in connection alcohol, drug and substance abuse last year. By Kudakwashe Pembere The reports were recorded in the last quarter of 2022 were compiled by the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstat) in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The information contained here is based on data collected from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Crime Report and Disposal System,” said Zimstat director general Mr Taguma Mahonde presenting the 2022 fourth quarter crime statistics report. Zimstat said 5 240 persons…

Zim activates Marburg Virus Disease preparedness and response teams

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 Kuda Pembere

As the Marburg Virus Disease spreads across Africa, the Zimbabwean government is strengthening its surveillence systems to track possible movement of the disease at its points of entry. By Staff Reporter In a statement, Health and Child Care Ministry permanent secretary Dr Jasper Chimedza said they have activated preparedness and response teams to be on the watch. “In view of this regional outbreak, the MoHCC has taken steps to strengthen surveillance particularly at the points of entry and activated preparedness and response teams. “If anyone presents with haemorrhagic symptoms and…

Over 69,000 Zimbabwean Girls Aged 10 to 19 Gave Birth In 2022

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

DESPITE continued efforts to reduce early pregnancies in Zimbabwe, data shows that adolescent girls between 10 and 15 years are falling pregnant and giving birth largely due to harmful practices that include early child marriages and sexual abuse. By Michael Gwarisa Disaggregated data on the Distribution of Births by Age of Mother released during the launch of the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstat) Vital Statistics Report shows that 696 girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth in 2022. A total of 69,335 adolescent females aged 10 to 19 had live births…

1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO

April 4, 2023 Healthtimes

Large numbers of people are affected by infertility in their lifetime, according to a new report published today by WHO. Around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need. By Own Correspondent The new estimates show limited variation in the prevalence of infertility between regions. The rates are comparable for high-, middle- and low-income countries, indicating that this is a major health challenge globally. Lifetime prevalence was 17.8% in…

Over 3000 Sexual Violence Offenses Committed In Zimbabwe In 2022 Final Quarter

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

DATA from a Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (Zimstat) Crime Situation Report reveal that Zimbabwe recorded a total 3,175 Sexual Violence criminal offenses between October and December 2022. By Michael Gwarisa The information contained in the Zimstat report is based on data collected from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Crime Report and Disposal System. According to Mr Taguma Mahonde, the Zimstat Director General, there was a 12 percent increase in recorded criminal offenses in the last quarter of 2022. The number of recorded offenses increased by 12 per cent, from 185,660…

WHO Tells Countries To Increase Graduation Numbers Of Healthcare Personnel

April 3, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

In order to curb chronic shortages of health workers in low and middle income countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised all countries to increase graduation of health personnel to reach 8-12% of the active workforce per annum. By Michael Gwarisa The call comes a few weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) released an updated WHO health workforce support and safeguards list 2023, identifying 55 countries including Zimbabwe, as vulnerable for availability of health workers required to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal target for universal health coverage…

COVID-19 Vaccination Fatigue Hits Zimbabwean Communities

March 31, 2023March 31, 2023 Kuda Pembere

VACCINE Fatigue in Zimbabwe has been attributed to the myths and misconceptions peddled in communities which has resulted in many fearing the vaccine more than the COVID-19 disease. By Kuda Pembere While Zimbabwe is still witnessing some COVID-19 infections, the uptake for vaccines has been less than desirable. Speaking to Journalsts during Science Café organized by the Health Communicators Forum in imbabwe (HCF), Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive chairperson, Ms Maria Chiwera told journalists that lack of information on the disease coupled vaccine hesitancy had slowed down uptake…

Licensed Zim Medicinal Cannabis Producers Getting Big Headed

March 31, 2023 Kuda Pembere

SOME players who received licenses to produce Medicinal Cannabis four years ago are reportedly skirting some of the legal provisions in their operations such as informing the health ministry permanent secretary before commencing production of the cannabis. By Kuda Pembere With the industry fairly in its infancy stage, MCAZ has since licensed 59 players for the production of medicinal cannabis. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an MCAZ-medicinal cannabis producers interface workshop, the regulator’s Director General Mr Richard Rukwata said during inspections they noted the players have been…

WHO and the Inter-Parliamentary Union launch a new handbook on Universal Health Coverage

March 31, 2023 Healthtimes

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently participated in a number of joint activities at the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly which took place from 11-15 March 2023 in Manama, Bahrein. By Staff Reporter This collaborative work included the launch of the IPU-WHO Handbook on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which follows up on the 2019 IPU resolution on UHC. The handbook aims to introduce parliamentarians to the concept and importance of UHC and describe the key roles Members of Parliaments (MPs) can play to make progress by offering practical and actionable…