Category: Health News

Future-Proofing SRHR Against shocks and emergencies through Integrating Healthcare Services

Michael Gwarisa

DURING the opening session of the East and Southern Africa regional SRHR symposium in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, United Nations Population Fund-East and Southern African Region  (UNFPA-ESARO)) Deputy Regional Director, Chinwe Ogbonna called on regional leaders and implementers of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) to devise new strategies to protect the gains that have been attained in as far as SRHR is concerned. By Michael Gwarisa The symposium is running under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4 SRHR Programme which combines the unique strengths and contributions of…

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All set for Inaugural Zim Reproductive Health Arts festival

Healthtimes

SAYWHAT, a youth and student centered organisation which works around sexual reproductive health (SRH) says they are ready to host the creative Reproductive health arts for transformation (CRAFT) festival on the 22nd of October 2022 in Harare. By Patricia Mashiri The CRAFT  is a national event that brings together winners of The CHASE competition drawn from all provinces around Zimbabwe. Its participants are first position winners in poetry, drama, music and public speaking. A total of 36 winners from across provinces will be participating at the festival. Running under the…

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Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Symposium Kicks-off In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

OVER 20 African countries are gathered in the resort town of Victoria Falls to deliberate on issues around access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people with the aim of finding a lasting solution to teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and HIV infections in East and Southern Africa. By Michael Gwarisa in Victoria Falls The three day regional symposium which will run up to Thursday, October 13, 2022  has been organized by the  UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO under the banner of the Joint UN Regional 2gether 4…

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Zim medicines regulator intensifies surveillance of ‘child killer’ cold and cough syrups

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe’s medicines and medical devices regulator the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) says it is stepping up its surveillance of four medical products which killed 69 children in Gambia. By Kudakwashe Pembere While chances are slim that the cough and cold syrups might have found their way into the country, the Authority states they may have unprocedurally found their way in Zimbabwe. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata notified health professionals in the public of the existence of the lethal medical products. “The Medicines Control…

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Shortage of mental health medication in public hospitals

Kuda Pembere

Persons with lived mental health experiences have bemoaned the shortage of their medication in public health institutions which is forcing them to cough up more money at private community pharmacies. By Kudakwashe Pembere Mrs Angela Mkorongo, a person with lived experiences who is also a mental health advocate said this on the sidelines of the World Mental Health Day Commemorations held on Monday. She said she ended up footing the bill for her friend who couldn’t access the medication at public mental health institutions. “Some of our colleagues are failing…

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Zim Govt recalls Purity Essential Baby Powder

Kuda Pembere

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has ordered the removal of Purity Essential Baby Powder from shops following a discovery that the product had a cancer-causing substance. By Kudakwashe Pembere This product is being recalled by its manufacturer Tiger Brands in South Africa after finding it contained impermissible levels of asbestos. “Tiger Brands of South Africa is recalling the Purity Essential Baby Powder from shops. The products contain unacceptable levels of asbestos which causes rare cancer called mesothelioma. The traces were recently detected in test samples prompting the recall…

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Zim commemorates World Mental Health Day

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe on Monday commemorated the World Mental Health Day which was held under the theme “Making Mental Health a Global Priority”. By Kudakwashe Pembere This year’s celebrations saw presentations from experts, and what are now known as Persons with Lived Experiences formerly, Mental Health Users. Presentations were about Bipolar Disorder, Obbessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, trauma, and substance abuse, a menace in the nation. Officiating the commemorations, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said it was important to recognise the high demand of mental health services across the…

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Rash of child deaths in Gambia linked to cough syrups made in India – WHO

Kuda Pembere

Oct 5 (Reuters) – The deaths of dozens of young children in Gambia from acute kidney injuries may be linked to contaminated cough and cold syrups made by an Indian drug manufacturer, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday. The findings, announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, followed tests on several medicinal syrups that were suspected of causing 66 child deaths in the tiny West African country. Tedros told reporters that the U.N. agency was conducting an investigation with Indian regulators and the company that made the syrups, New…

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MCAZ eyes WHO microbiology prequalification…As it celebrates 25th anniversary

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe is working towards attaining the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification for the microbiology laboratory. This follows the refurbishment of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) microbiology lab recently. By Kuda Pembere WHO states medicines prequalification primarily benefits populations requiring treatment for priority diseases, and women and girls in need of medicines to ensure their reproductive health. This journey towards this prequalification comes at a time MCAZ celebrates its 25th anniversary. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata said they recently renovated their laboratory in line…

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Zimbabwe Launches Door-to-Door Supplementary Polio Immunisation Program

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) will from 27 to 30 October, 2022 kick-start the first round of a nationwide supplementary Polio immunisation drive as the country scales-up disease and outbreaks preparedness and prevention in children. By Michael Gwarisa The second round will start from December 1 up to December 4 and will be targeting children from Zero to five years. The supplementary vaccination will target children within the mentioned age range regardless of previous vaccination status. Even though Zimbabwe was certified Polio free in 2005, there have…

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