Category: Health News

WHO consultation sets research priorities for monkeypox

Michael Gwarisa

A global research consultation convened by the WHO R&D Blueprint gathered over 500 experts and more than 2000 participants to discuss knowledge gaps and research priorities for monkeypox, in view of the recent outbreaks of the disease in both endemic and non-endemic countries. Researchers and high-level experts from all over the world met virtually for two days to review the available evidence on the epidemiology of the virus; its transmission dynamics; the clinical characteristics; One Health research; community engagement; and countermeasures for managing the disease, including clinical care, treatments and vaccines. They agreed that effective countermeasures…

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CDC Moves Zimbabwe To Moderate COVID-19 Risk Category

Michael Gwarisa

THE United States Center For Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved Zimbabwe to the moderate risk destination for COVID-19. HealthTimes Reporter The development comes after the CDC overhauled its ratings system for assessing Covid-19 risk for travelers in April this year. Under the new categories, the CDC has added four places to its list of “high” risk destinations for Covid-19, including St. Kitts and Nevis, part of the Leeward Islands east of Puerto Rico, which were placed on the Level 3 category on Monday. The Level 3 “high” risk…

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NatPharm Warehouse complete

Michael Gwarisa

THE new National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm)’s warehouse is now complete with the company sating it is ready for occupation. The warehouse construction began in 2018. It was built with support from China Aid. “NatPharm warehouse complete ready for occupation. Accelerating Attainment of Vision 2030 through Increasing Access to Quality Affordable Medicines. We deliver medicine to the last mile leaving no place no one behind,” tweeted NatPharm.

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BLH Zimbabwe: Patience and perseverance are the keys to success, despite the hardships

Healthtimes

  In early June Brave Little Hearts Zimbabwe participated in our National Youth Business Expo, as we are looking at establishing sustainable projects to help empower our communities to attain financial freedom. By Tendai Moyo This is so important because donors are hard to come by, and the financial burden of heart communities is so huge. Our target is to be self-sufficient by 2023 so we can meet every financial need, including surgeries, fees, medications, and hopefully, a community-owned heart centre. As much as we are awaiting government intervention, we…

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Poverty drives teenage pregnancies in Gwanda

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S dreary economic situation and poverty in families in Gwanda have been driving teenagers out of school leading to many teenage pregancies. By Kudakwashe Pembere Matebeleland South Legislator Honourable Sipho Ndlovu-Mokone in an interview with HealthTimes said most of these teenagers that fall pregnant are usually school drop outs. “Most teenagers of school going age become school drop outs at an early because of economic reasons, their parents or guardians can’t afford to foot their educational bills,” she said. “Drug abuse also is another factor,where teenagers take drugs and end…

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MPs Summon VP Chiwenga

Michael Gwarisa

NEWSDAY—MEMBERS of Parliament have demanded that Vice-President and Health and Child Care minister Constantino Chiwenga should issue a ministerial statement in the National Assembly explaining the recent hike in hospital user fees. This follows a statement by the Health ministry this week, which hiked hospital fees by 1 748%. The notice pegged consultation fees for adults at US$12 and children US$6, which is equivalent to $3 696 and $1 848, respectively in the local currency using the official exchange rate of US$1:$308. The previous user fees were pegged in 2020…

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No Monkey Pox Cases In Zim:MoHCC

Healthtimes

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has assured the nation that there are no Monkey Pox cases recorded in the country so far but it is monitoring the evolving situation of the outbreak in other countries.Staff ReporterMonkey Pox is a rare zoonotic disease endemic to Central and West Africa. It spreads through close contact with people, animals and materials with the virus. Symptoms of the disease include rash,fever,headache, muscle ache and back pain. The symptoms are similar but milder than the symptoms of small pox.In a statement the…

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World Hepatitis Summit 2022 urges action to eliminate viral hepatitis as unexplained hepatitis cases in children rise globally

Michael Gwarisa

The World Hepatitis Summit 2022 will review progress and renew commitments by global partners to accelerate action to achieve the global target of eliminating of viral hepatitis by 2030. At the 2016 World Health Assembly, countries made a historic commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Since 2016, countries have met the global 2020 target of reducing the incidence of hepatitis B in children under 5 and the number of people receiving treatment for hepatitis C has increased 10-fold. However, most countries failed to meet other 2020 targets. Timely access…

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Govt hikes hospital user fees

Michael Gwarisa

NEWSDAY—GOVERNMENT has hiked user fees at public hospitals by 1 748%, prompting analysts to warn of an upsurge in home deaths. New adult and children consultation fees have been pegged at US$12 and US$6, respectively, which are an equivalent of $3 696 and $1 848 in the local currency using the official exchange of US$1:$308. Hospital fees were last increased in January 2020, with adults and children respectively paying $200 and $100 in Zimbabwe dollars at the time. “Reference is made to the hospital user fees circular dated April 19,…

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Health Services Amendment Bill needs overhaul

Michael Gwarisa

LEGISLATORS want the Health and Child Care Ministry to do a total overhaul of the Health Services Amendment Bill given the glaring rejection by stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s health sector. By Kudakwashe Pembere This is a recommendation which came in the First Report Of The Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care on the evidence gathered during the public hearings on the Health Services Ammendment Bill. “Given the overwhelming rejection of the Bill by the interested and affected stakeholders, the Ministry of Health and Child Care should withdraw the Bill and…

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