Category: Health News

Calls For Increased Efforts To Curb Hopely’s Teen Pregnancies and Substance Abuse Get Louder

Healthtimes

Civil Society organizations who gathered in Hopley Community agreed that there was need for concerted efforts to help build the vulnerable community and rid it of ills such as the high teen pregnancies, Sexual abuse as well as high substance abuse. By Patricia Mashiri Hopley, a Peri-urban community on the outskirts of Harare has a population of 200 000 residents. Speaking during a stakeholder meeting on gender-based violence at Tariro Youth Centre in Hopley, Obey Mukorera, the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (ZiCHIRe) programs Officer  said there was need to…

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ZNFPC, City Of Harare Use Sport To Fight GBV and HIV In Young People

Healthtimes

IN an effort to eradicate new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence (GBV) in communities, the Harare City Council in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) have introduced youths games to keep young people engaged. By Patricia Mashiri The games include soccer, netball and traditional games such as nhodo, tsoro and other . Speaking during the games which took place in Mbare over the weekend, Mrs Calista Kaseke, Harare City Council Community Services Officer based in Mabvuku said the games are aimed at reducing idleness in…

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2022 National Budget Fails To Answer Key Disability Questions

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EVEN though the 2022 National Budget that was recently announced by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube showed some improvement in the allocation to the health sector, it is silent on some of concerns that have been affecting Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) over the years. By Patricia Mashiri Zimbabwe has a sizable number of person with disabilities with indications that  9.3% of the country’s population are are persons with disabilities, according to a recent survey that was conducted by Zimstats, Speaking during a press conference on disability-inclusive budgeting,…

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PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

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SOUTH Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive for the viral infection today, Sunday, 12 December 2021. The President started feeling unwell after leaving the State Memorial Service in honour of former Deputy President FW de Klerk in Cape Town earlier today. The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force. The President, who is fully vaccinated, is in self-isolation in Cape Town and has delegated all responsibilities…

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Different SARS-CoV-2 variants, same prevention strategies

Healthtimes

On the 24th of November 2021, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa reported the detection of a new COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), named B.1.1.529, from a specimen collected on the 9th of November 2021 [1]. Early evidence on this variant suggests that it has a very unusual array of mutations, increased antibody resistance and is possibly more transmissible. Some countries have responded by issuing travel restrictions from South Africa and other countries in the region. Dr Grant Murewanhema et al. Several studies are already underway…

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Smoking Shisha A Potential TB Super spreader-Expert

Michael Gwarisa

HOOKER Water Pipes also known as Shisha or Hubbly Bubbly could be possible transmitters of the bacteria that causes Tuberculosis (TB) from one person a group of multiple smokers at any given time, a local TB expert has warned. By Michael Gwarisa The warning comes in the wake of an increase in the uptake of the Shisha smoking in Zimbabwe around some of the popular joints where multiple smokers take turns to puff of on the pipes without following any hygiene etiquette. According to data, the number of puffs inhaled…

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Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe Launches National Social Media Campaign

Michael Gwarisa

THE Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, a country level initiative meant to scale up Tuberculosis (TB) case finding and treatment in various communities which include high TB burden settings, has launched a national social media campaign that will see TB champions, media and other key stakeholders raising awareness around the TB subject using various digital media platforms and media products. By Michael Gwarisa in Kadoma The campaign will result in the production of video TB Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material for distribution through celebrity platforms as well as other social…

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SAT launches GBV violence policy brief

Healthtimes

THE SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), a non -governmental organization that supports community systems for sexual and reproductive health rights(SRHR) has launched a sexual Gender Based Violence (GBV) policy brief. By Patricia Mashiri The policy brief was done in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Victim Friendly Unit (VFU)  with the aim of producing evidence on sexual violence which informs the community on the scale on SGBV as well as lead to increased identification and reporting. Speaking during the launch, Dr Mildred Mushunje, the SAT Country Director said the policy…

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United States Government Announces Plans for $11 Billion to End Malnutrition at Global Nutrition Summit

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“By investing in locally-designed and led nutrition programs, applying the evidence of what works, and adapting quickly, we can prevent child malnutrition, even in the time of COVID, and build a healthier world for everyone.” At the 2021 Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced on behalf of the White House that the United States intends to invest up to $11 billion over three years, subject to Congressional appropriations, to combat global malnutrition, the underlying cause of almost half of childhood deaths…

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There is need to change health professionals Curriculum to suit SRHR

Healthtimes

A conversation with SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), CSOs, Nurses Association, Progressive Doctors Association and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. By Patricia Mashiri Sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are one of the key issues in the discussion on the health rights of adolescents. Speaking during a round table discussion hosted by SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), Mrs Hamida Ismail- Mauto the SRHR Country Operations Manager said there was need to use a multi-sectoral approach in making sure that adolescents access SRHR services. Onset of sexual activity during adolescence is now common,…

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