Category: Health News

Experts Rename African Linked Monkeypox Variants To End Stereotypes

Healthtimes

A group of global experts convened by WHO has agreed on new names for monkeypox virus variants, as part of ongoing efforts to align the names of the monkeypox disease, virus and variants—or clades—with current best practices. The experts agreed to name the clades using Roman numerals. By Staff Reporter The monkeypox virus was named upon first discovery in 1958, before current best practices in naming diseases and viruses were adopted. Similarly for the name of the disease it causes. Major variants were identified by the geographic regions where they…

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#BREAKING: Zim Measles Outbreak Spreads Beyond Manicaland, As 80 Die From The Disease

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned that the Measles outbreak has spread beyond Makoni district in Manicaland provinces to other provinces amidst indications of a surge in new infections and deaths over the past days. By Staff Reporter In a statement, the health ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Jasper Chimedza said the cases were emanating from church gatherings that happened in the recent weeks. The ministry of health and child care wishes to inform the public that the ongoing outbreak of measles which was first reported on…

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Hivos’ Program Expands SRHR Services To Street Children and Vulnerable Groups

Michael Gwarisa

THE Consent2Access Campaign, an advocacy initiative on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) being implemented by Hivos and its partners across Eastern and Southern Africa, has gone a step further by extending services to groups of adolescents and young people that are usually left out in a number of health programs. By Michael Gwarisa The program is being implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of the regional SRH Funds Advocacy campaign aimed at promoting progressive laws, policies and practices that can ensure adolescent and young people access…

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UNFPA Zimbabwe calls for support to ensure young people reach their full potential

Michael Gwarisa

Harare, 12 August, 2022 – On the International Youth Day the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Zimbabwe and partners have called for greater support to ensure young people reach their full potential by making critical investments in their health, education and well-being. By Staff Reporter The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. In Zimbabwe, adolescents and youth are experiencing adverse life outcomes, including unintended early or teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and school dropouts. Early and teenage pregnancy have major…

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Trading the spanner for Universal Health Coverage…The meteoric rise of Itai Rusike into public health stardom

Michael Gwarisa

To many, he is just an ordinary human being and a health activist with a zeal for health issues. Some call him Wadyegora, a name synonymous with his Moyo or heart totem. Born during the liberation struggle in a place of rich mixed soils in Saruwe or Selous, Itai Josh Rusike’s or Mukoma Josh’s as he is known by many, knew at a tender age that he was destined for greatness on this earth. Over the years, Itai has grown into becoming one of the leading Public Health Voices in…

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Increase in people who inject drugs threatens Zim’s HIV Gains…UNAIDS calls for effective harm reduction programs

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT was warned that the obtaining spike in illicit drug and substance abuse incidences could trigger a new wave of new HIV infections as drug users were devising new risky means of administering drugs such as injecting drugs which at times involves the sharing of unsterilized needles and sharp objects. By Michael Gwarisa While Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards ending the AIDS epidemic, new data indicates that there has been a surge in new HIV infections especially amongst young girls and women while quite a sizable number could be…

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Mat North and Masvingo Provinces Have Largest Number Of People Practicing Open Defecation

Healthtimes

THE number of households still using the bush as toilets have remained high in Matabelenand North and Masvingo provinces. Staff Reporter According to data from a Housing Characteristics and Living Conditions Survey that has been released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency(ZIMSTAT), 50.0 percent of households in Mat North province still practice open defecation while followed by Masvingo where 35 percent of the households are also using the bush to relieve themselves. Mat South and Midlands province both had 31.5% followed by Mashonaland West which had 23.6 percent, Mashonaland Central…

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Botswana Removes Mask Wearing Mandates

Healthtimes

WEARING of masks is now optional in Botswana especially when outdoors. By Kuda Pembere In a statement, Botswana’s Health and Wellness Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Christopher Nyanga said they arrived at this decision after noticing many of their citizens getting vaccinated. By Kuda Pembere “The Ministry of Health informs members of the public that effective today, wearing of masks in outdoor areas will no longer be mandatory. Having reviewed the disease burden in the country and globally and most importantly, the high numbers of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Botswana,…

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Zim’s Adolescents and Young People Attend In-Country Hub For The 2022 AIDS Conference 

Michael Gwarisa

YOUNG people from various communities In Zimbabwe converged for the AIDS2022 In Country Virtual Hub amidst growing calls for government to increase domestic funding towards HIV and AIDS programing. By Michael Gwarisa The five day in-country AIDS2022 In Country Virtual Hub was hosted by Zvandiri in Harare at Bronte Hotel following the denying of visas for most young people mainly from African countries to attend the in-person AIDS2022 Conference in Montreal Canada. Other African countries that held in country hubs include Eswatini, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola and Malawi. In Zimbabwe, The…

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No Monkeypox In Zimbabwe As Yet- Health Ministry

Healthtimes

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has reassured the Zimbabwean public that there has not been any Monkeypox case in Zimbabwe. Health Reporter In a statement, the Ministry of Health urged people to report any suspected cases of Monkeypox to the country’s health emergency number, 2019. The Ministry of Health and Child Care would like to warn the public and its stakeholders of an on-going outbreak of monkeypox in non-endemic countries including neighboring South Africa. Currently no cases have been reported in Zimbabwe and is monitoring the evolving situation…

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