Category: Health News

Door-to-Door Mobilisation Under SLL Brings Healthcare Closer to Children and Elderly in Gokwe

Michael Gwarisa
Gogo Bhunu, a sprightly woman in her early 90s, warmly welcomes a door-to-door health mobilisation team at her homestead in Bhunu Village, Gokwe North, as part of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods program bringing healthcare services closer to children and the elderly.

By Michael Gwarisa in Gokwe For years, healthcare in Gokwe North has been beyond the reach of many. The terrain is unforgiving, rocky, bumpy, and scorched by a relentless sun. Narrow footpaths snake through thorny bushes and jagged rocks, leading to scattered homesteads perched in places so remote you can’t help but wonder how anyone managed to settle there. Clinics are few and far between, with some as distant as 25 or even 30 kilometres away. In such an environment, seeking healthcare often means risking dehydration, exhaustion, or worse. It…

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Guchu Linked To Rise In Prostate Problems For Gokwe Men

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Gokwe A sizable number of men in Gokwe are now facing serious prostate health issues, a condition locally known as Ku Blocker. Health authorities believe this troubling rise may be tied to the widespread use of Guchu, a traditional sex-enhancing concoction used by many men to improve sexual performance. Gokwe is known for its polygamous traditions, largely shaped by cultural and religious beliefs. Polygamy is also common in neighbouring districts like Kariba and Binga. To keep up with demanding sex in polygamous settings, men in these…

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Zimbabwe Red Cross Marks World First Aid Day with Chinhoyi March, Competitions

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe – September 14, 2025 — The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) on Saturday joined the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in commemorating World First Aid Day with a colourful march and first aid competitions in Chinhoyi, under the theme “First Aid and Climate Change.” The commemorations, held at Chinhoyi High School, drew hundreds of participants including students, corporate teams, volunteers and community members. A spirited march through the town centre set the tone for the day, attracting onlookers and raising awareness on the…

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Zimbabwe Excels in Global Health Security Assessment on Immunization, Surveillance, Labs, and Emergency Response

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe received a fifty-four percent score in the second Joint External Evaluation (JEE), performing strongly in laboratory systems, surveillance, emergency response, and immunization indicators. This was revealed by Dr. Mohammed Ali Mohammed, the lead of the visiting JEE team, which spent five days in the country. So in summary you can see that thirty out of fifty-six indicators, which is fifty-four percent, attained level three and above, which indicates developed capacity,” he said. “So for this one we can commend Zimbabwe that at least we have attained…

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Zimbabwe Moves to Finalize National Health Insurance Bill Ahead of Parliament

Kuda Pembere
Minister of Health Dr. Douglas Mombeshora shares a light moment with Dr. Ron Mhizha of the Eye Institute and Chrispen Dzingirai of Old Mutual Zimbabwe during the launch of free cataract eye clinics.

By Kudakwashe Pembere Anticipating the enactment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme by year-end, efforts to finalize the NHI Bill are on course, with Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora confirming it will be sent to Parliament this month. After decades of consultation and research, Zimbabwe’s proposed NHI scheme is now closer to fruition. Dr. Mombeshora told a Health Partners Coordination meeting on Friday that the much-awaited scheme will help pool resources for the health sector. We meet at a time when we are driving ambitious reforms…

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62,500 Zimbabweans Blind from Cataracts

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is grappling with a growing eye health crisis, with cataracts emerging as the leading cause of preventable blindness in the country. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, an estimated 125,000 people, about one percent of the population, are blind, and of these, 62,500 cases are caused by cataracts alone. In response to this burden, Old Mutual Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Eye Institute, has launched a series of free eye clinics across the country targeting over 300 cataract surgeries this year. The initiative builds on…

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Cimas Launches Health Media Awards to Mark 80th Anniversary

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Cimas Health Group has launched the Cimas@80 Media Awards to celebrate its 80th anniversary and honour the critical role journalists play in shaping a healthier Zimbabwean society. Speaking at the launch in Harare, Cimas Chief Executive Officer Mr. Vulindlela Ndlovu said the awards, which run in partnership with the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), are aimed at recognising excellence in health journalism while encouraging fact-based and impactful reporting. We value the media not just as a communication channel but as a strategic partner in driving healthcare and…

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Zim’s Fast Food Tax generates nearly US$1 million

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe has collected close to US$1 million in fast food tax revenue, a levy introduced by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in the 2025 National Budget presentation. Set at 0.5 percent of sales for fast foods such as pizza, burgers, French fries, and doughnuts, the tax is aimed at promoting healthy eating and curbing the rise of obesity and non-communicable diseases. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa disclosed the figures during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday. “Mr. Speaker Sir,…

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Zimbabwe Gender Commission launches Inquiry Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) on Thursday launched a national inquiry into sexual harassment in institutions of higher and tertiary education, marking the start of a long-delayed process at Harare Polytechnic College. The Ministry of Women Affairs tasked ZGC with the inquiry in 2020, but the official launch comes five years later. The exercise seeks to establish the extent of the problem in Zimbabwe’s colleges and universities, how institutions are responding to cases, and whether existing policies adequately protect students and staff. Speaking at the launch, ZGC…

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Dr Mombeshora Appoints Coordinator as EU Injects €4.3 Million into National Public Health Institute

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere As Zimbabwe moves to operationalize the National Public Health Institute (NPHI), Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora has appointed Dr. Raiva Simbi as the Ministry’s Coordinator. Dr Mombeshora made the announcement came after a courtesy call by a joint delegation from the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). “We have just had a meeting, a very important meeting, which was a courtesy call, but bringing good news to us as a country and also as Minister of Health and Child Care. Issues…

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