Health News |

UNAIDS warns that stigmatizing language on Monkeypox jeopardises public health

May 23, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

UNAIDS has expressed concern that some public reporting and commentary on Monkeypox has used language and imagery, particularly portrayals of LGBTI and African people, that reinforce homophobic and racist stereotypes and exacerbate stigma. Lessons from the AIDS response show that stigma and blame directed at certain groups of people can rapidly undermine outbreak response. Since May 13, 2022, an outbreak of Monkeypox has been reported in multiple UN member states where cases are not usually reported. As of May 21, the World Health Organization received reports of 92 laboratory-confirmed cases and…

First Mutual RTGS Medical Aid holders stranded

May 21, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWEAN Dollar Medical Aid holders under First Mutual Health insurance scheme will no longer be able to access healthcare services at any of the health facilities under the Medical Investments limited including the Avenues Clinic, a move that is likely to throw members into quandary. By Michael Gwarisa Sources privy to these developments told this publication that First Mutual Health (FMH) has not been forthcoming in terms of meeting their side of the bargain and have been paying for claims after a longer period in contradiction with a request from…

Forced and Cover Up Marriages Driving HIV Infections In Zimbabwe’s LGBTIQ Community

May 20, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community in Zimbabwe remains one of the hardest hit with new HIV infections due to a myriad of factors chief among them being arranged/forced marriages with heterosexual individuals, homophobia initiated rape and cover up marriages amongst a host of other factors. By Michael Gwarisa Currently there is little information available on LGBTIQ and HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe since the area is still shunned a lot due to institutionalized and societal homophobia, lack of understanding of human sexuality and sexual health…

IAVI and Moderna launch first-in-Africa clinical trial of mRNA HIV vaccine development program

May 19, 2022May 19, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

Phase I trial in Rwanda and South Africa aims to evaluate mRNA HIV vaccine antigen for safety and immunogenicity and strengthen regional scientific capacity NEW YORK, NY AND CAMBRIDGE, MA — MAY 18, 2022 — The nonprofit scientific research organization IAVI and Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA), a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, today announced that the first participant screenings are soon to start for a Phase I clinical trial of an mRNA HIV vaccine antigen (mRNA-1644) at the Center for Family Health Research (CFHR) in Kigali,…

Enter the Dildo: Sex Toys Will Soon Render Men Obsolete- Says Zim top Psychologist

May 19, 2022May 19, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

IT seems those days when men used to enjoy exclusive rights to pleasuring women sexually are fast coming to an end. Just like the now obsolete Dodo, the Dildo will soon replace the penis. It’s going to be an era like never before, there shall be gnashing of teeth as reality will soon hit men that they are not the only option out there and before they even know it, they will find themselves fighting for a spot in a world dominated by Polythene and rubber sex toys. By Michael…

UNICEF Zimbabwe calls for more attention for the mental health of children and adolescents

May 19, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

Two thirds of children in Zimbabwe have experienced violent discipline and are vulnerable to mental health challenges Harare, 19 May 2022 – Abuse, neglect and other adverse childhood experiences are the main preventable causes of poor mental health, UNICEF said today on the World Action Day for mental health. Mental health challenges might well impact on many children and adolescents in Zimbabwe as several forms of violence against children are prevalent in the country. More than two thirds of children in the country experience some form of violent discipline and…

Govt defends Health Services Bill That Prevents Healthcare Workers From Striking

May 18, 2022 Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT has defended its Health Services Amendment Bill arguing health workers are not allowed to strike for they are an essential service. By Kudakwashe Pembere Health economists and public health experts have described the bill as draconian and counterproductive and it has been blamed for the massive exodus of skilled personal the country is country experiencing. Speaking before the Parliament on behalf of the Vice President who is also Health and Child Care Minister, Constantine Chiwenga, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Honorable Ziyambi Ziyambi said unions hoodwinked health workers into…

Mozambique confirms wild poliovirus case

May 18, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

Health authorities in Mozambique today declared an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 after confirming that a child in the country’s north-eastern Tete province had contracted the disease. This marks the second imported case of wild poliovirus in southern Africa this year, following an outbreak in Malawi in mid-February. By Staff Reporter So far, one case in Mozambique – the country’s first since 1992 – has been detected. The virus was found in a child who began experiencing onset of paralysis in late March. Genomic sequencing analysis indicates that the…

Merck Foundation avails 650 scholarships for Specialist Training

May 17, 2022 Healthtimes

MERCK Foundation says it has offered African doctors from 43 countries over 650 scholarships for specialist training in Cardiovascular, Diabetes and endocrinology care. By Staff Reporter Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks World Hypertension Day 2022 in partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Medical Societies and Academia, through their long-term commitment toward building Cardiovascular, Diabetes, and Endocrinology care capacity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At Merck Foundation, we mark ‘World Hypertension Day’ every day by providing more than 650 scholarships of Cardiovascular, Diabetes…

Zimbabwe amongst African Countries with Highest Tobacco Related Deaths in Females

May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE 7th edition of the Tobacco Atlas report has placed Zimbabwe in the top 1o list of countries with the highest tobacco related deaths in females on the African continent. By Michael Gwarisa The deaths are linked to the increased prevalence in smoking habits at the back of affordability of tobacco products and aggressive marketing by in Africa by tobacco companies. According to the 7th edition of Tobacco Atlas report, with its rapidly growing populations and rising life expectancy, an increase in the number of smokers combined with more years…