Category: Health News

Paediatric TB Medications Still Out Of Reach For Many

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organization (WHO) recently released new rapid guidance recommending that children of all ages with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) have access to all-oral treatment using the drugs bedaquiline and/or delamanid. All-oral regimens simplify DR-TB treatment for children and caregivers by eliminating the use of injectable drugs that can cause deafness and by making the treatment regimens shorter, less toxic, and more effective. Health Reporter However, adopting these new recommendations in high TB burden countries requires access to the paediatric formulations of bedaquiline (produced by Johnson & Johnson) and delamanid…

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PSMAS Introduces Chronic Care Program

Healthtimes

IN an effort to improve access to medications for members with chronic medical conditions, Premier Services Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) has introduced a Chronic Medicine Programme with effect from today. (Wednesday, 1 September 2021). Own Correspondent The Chronic Medicine Programme was established to provide a service to members requiring treatment for chronic medical conditions. PSMAS is dedicated to managing chronic medicine use in a manner that is beneficial to the health of members, and to ensuring quality care through holistic member care. The program is designed to benefit both members…

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COVAXIN Jab Recipients Haven’t Received Second Dose Five Months Down The Line

Michael Gwarisa

GETTING the second dose of the COVAXIN vaccine is proving to be a mammoth task for thousands of Zimbabweans who received the first dose of Indian manufactured vaccine with evidence on the ground showing that majority who received their jabs in May haven’t received their second shots to date, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has to date received 35,000 doses of the COVAXIN from the 75 000 doses that were pledged by the government of India at the beginning of the National vaccination program. The country is yet…

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HIV Positive Women Urged To Regularly Screen For Cervical Cancer

Healthtimes

THE Zimbabwe Association of Church Related Hospitals (ZACH) has warned that  women living with HIV were more prone to cervical cancer and therefore should get screened more frequently. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during Cervical cancer and HIV and the impact of COVID-19 on screening services virtual meeting, HIV Positive Women Urged To Regularly Screen For Cervical Cancer, Dr Onai  Diura-Vere ZACH Technical Advisor said,”85 percent of women with cervical and HIV live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Women with HIV are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared with HIV…

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Misappropriation Of Funds Bleed Education, Health Sectors

Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT  has been castigated for diverting resources meant for critical services such as health and education other non-essential sectors at a time the country’s education and health sectors are in the doldrums. By Fadzai Ndangana In the 2021 budget, Treasury allocated ZWL$ 54.7 billion towards the health sector, translating to 13 percent of total budget, 2 percentage points below the Abuja Declaration threshold. Speaking at a virtual Tax Justice and Gender Responsive Public Services Summit this morning, Education Financing Specialist Tapfuma Jongwe said the 2 percent intermediary transfer tax introduced…

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Lift Tax Burden On Vulnerable Communities- Gvt Told

Healthtimes

ACTION Aid Zimbabwe (AAZ), has challenged the Zimbabwean government to lift the tax burden on vulnerable communities and instead improve the state of public service provision in the country. By Fadzai Ndangana AAZ Acting Heads of Programs and Resources Mobilisation Ebenezer Tombo said the government and stakeholders should find ways to interrogate how the tax system is being used to improve lives of people in Zimbabwe. This was a fruitful engagement as we debated ways to improve public service provision and make them gender responsive, especially in critical sectors of…

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HIV Vaccine Trials Discontinued After It Fails To Prevent HIV Infection

Michael Gwarisa

THE HVTN 705/HPX2008 or Imbokodo study, which began in 2017 to test whether the Imbokodo vaccine regimen could prevent women in Sub-Saharfan Africa from getting HIV has been discontinued following indications that the vaccine did not provide sufficient protection against infection. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said data showed the investigational HIV  vaccine regimen did not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection in a population of young women in sub–Saharan Africa at high risk of acquiring HIV even though the investigational vaccine was found to have…

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Summit Care trust suicide prevention campaign starts tomorrow

Healthtimes

SUMMIT Care Trust, Community Based organization will tomorrow start a Suicide Prevention Campaign starting as a way of commemorating the Suicide Prevention month which falls in the month of September. Health Reporter The campaign will held under the theme “You Matter” and will be focusing on four areas which include Community Awareness, Health Awareness, Family Awareness and Education Awareness. Tanatswa Chikaura, Summit Care Trust Mental Health Advocate, said the campaign was crucial as it seeks to open up awareness about suicide and find ways of preventing the cases from rising.…

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New Covid Variant Found in South Africa Has Concerning Mutations

Healthtimes

JOHANNESBURG –  The Delta variant continues to dominate South Africa’s coronavirus infections, but a newly-identified lineage is already said to be circulating in most of our provinces. Professor Barry Schoub says the C.1.2 is still being investigated, and whether it could be more dangerous than other variants of concern, remains to be seen. “It’s a potential variant of interest. It is being investigated very intensively,” he said. “The C.1.2 was first detected in May, it may have been in circulation before, but it was first detected in May in South…

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Pay Presumptive Tax For Smooth Public Health Service Delivery

Healthtimes

PARLIAMENTARIANS have urged small business owners to pay taxes so as to support government’s efforts to deliver quality health services in public health instritutions. By Fadzayi Ndangana Addressing a virtual meeting  on Tax Justice and Gender Responsive Public Services (GRPS) Summit earlier today, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health Dr Ruth Labode said a as country , there is need to pay taxes in order to improve service delivery in our health institutions. When Mthuli proposed the $30 for tax, I was in support because our hospitals must be…

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