Category: Health News

Food poisoning diseases affect 10% of world population annually, says WHO

Michael Gwarisa

ten people annually, and the magnitude of the public health burden due to foodborne diseases was comparable to that of malaria or HIV and AIDS, the WHO said Globally, foodborne diseases affect one in ten people annually, and the magnitude of the public health burden due to foodborne diseases was comparable to that of malaria or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. On World Food Safety Day on June 7, food safety experts called on attention and action to help prevent, detect and manage…

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Zim preps intensified measles, polio vaccination

Michael Gwarisa

PREPARATIONS for an intensified measles and polio vaccination campaign are well on course as the Ministry of Health and Child Care commenced the training of trainers in Masvingo on Monday. This comes on the heels of the declaration of a measles outbreak in Mutasa district. The Health Ministry is conducting a Intergrated meeting on Polio Campaign & EPI Training of Trainers workshop on Supplementary Immunization Activities with support from UNICEF ZIMBABWE and WHO Zimbabwe. The participants were drawn from the country’s 10 provinces. “There are planned measles and polio campaigns…

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Srhr Africa Trust Statement On The Constitutional Court Ruling On Age Of Consent to Sex

Healthtimes

The Constitutional Court ruling of 24 May 2022, will, in effect, raise the age of legal sexual consent in Zimbabwe from 16 to 18 years. However one views the judgement, it will have a significant impact on adolescents in this country. As SAT, we understand the good intentions of those who brought the case, and we recognize the parameters of the case within which the Court found itself dispensing the judgement it gave. We all rely on the primacy of our nation’s constitution, and on the Justices that interpret it,…

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Why mental health is a priority for action on climate change

Michael Gwarisa

Climate change poses serious risks to mental health and well-being, concludes a new WHO policy brief, launched today at the Stockholm+50 conference. The Organization is therefore urging countries to include mental health support in their response to the climate crisis, citing examples where a few pioneering countries have done this effectively. The findings concur with a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in February this year. The IPPC revealed that rapidly increasing climate change poses a rising threat to mental health and psychosocial well-being; from emotional distress…

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PSMI employees await May salaries

Michael Gwarisa

EMPLOYEES at Premier Medical Aid Investments (PSMI) are yet to receive last month’s salaries with their employer assuring them that they will get it by mid June. By Kudakwashe PembereAn information circular seen by HealthTimes stated that the employees were to receive their May’s earnings this month. “The May 2022 payroll will be processed upon receipt of the Premier Service Medical Ald Society (PSMAS} Employer contribution, which management is currently following up with PSMAS. As per usual cycles, the inflows are expected in the 1st or 2nd week of June…

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Murambinda Sex Workers Inject each other’s Intoxicated Blood To Get High

Michael Gwarisa

FLASHBLOOD, a new trend of drug of and substance abuse has reportedly emerged among Murambinda based sex workers where desperate drug users deliberately inject themselves with another addict’s blood in an effort to share the intoxication. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Murambinda Flashblood is a syringe full of blood passed from someone who has just injected heroin to someone else who injects it in lieu of heroin. In Buhera District, novice and young sex workers have reportedly been practicing flashblood or bluetoothing as it is known in other parts of…

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Using Community Footprint To Eliminate New HIV Infections In Sex Workers

Michael Gwarisa

Spiwe Chikwawa (49), a sex worker from Mutare has been in the sex work business for two decades now. However, a few years ago, Spiwe developed a rare Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). In her own words, she says this particular STI takes the trophy in the history of all stubborn STIs as it became resistant to treatment at some point only to disappear after it had resurfaced for the third time. By Michael Gwarisa in Mutare Due to a prolonged period with the STI, she also developed a pungent and…

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Red Cross launches Comprehensive School Safety Model

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society(ZRCS) together with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education have launched a comprehensive school safety model which main purpose is to provide safety to learners and workers from death ,injury and harm in schools. By Patricia Mashiri The model was implemented by the ZRCS in the District of Matebeleland South since 2019 targeting 10 schools as the pilot project and later added 5 new schools under phase 2 of the project. The model is made up of four pillars which are contribution to safer school…

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Period poverty remains a major challenge for girls, young women

Michael Gwarisa

CIVIL society organisations has bemoaned the challenges faced by girls and young women in finding dignified sanitary wear. By Patricia Mashiri Sanitary wear has become expensive and a luxury for most girls as most of them resorted to using unhygienic waste materials which are uncomfortable and pose health hazards at times. Speaking at a Women’s Action Group (WAG) virtual Menstrual Hygiene Day Commemorations, Nancy Jokonya,  the Ministry of Health and Child Care representative who was the guest of honour said menstrual health and hygiene management remains a cause for concern…

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Door To Door ARV Distribution Model Draws Makoni District Closer To Attaining Third 95

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Treatment Facilitator (CATCF) model, a new ART collection and delivery program, has greatly enhanced HIV treatment adherence through offering door to door delivery of medications to ART clients in Makoni District. By Michael Gwarisa in Makoni District Across Zimbabwe, the CATCF model is currently being implemented only in seven health facilities in Makoni District. These are St Therese Hospital, Matsika Clinic, Masvosva Clinic, Chiduku Clinic, Chinyadza Clinic and Tatseka Clinic. Briefing Journalists during a media tour at St Therese Hospital in Makoni District in Manicaland…

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