Category: Health News

Local Firm Produces Reusable Face Shields For Use During COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

LOCAL medical consumables manufacturing and distribution firm, Medical Solutions Zimbabwe has embarked on an extensive production of Face Shields and personal protective equipment devices that are used by medical personal for protection of the facial area from splashes, sprays, and spatter of body fluids. By Michael Gwarisa According to American epidemiologists and physicians, Face Shields are more effective protection against the COVID-19 compared to face masks.  Face shields are generally not used alone, but in conjunction with other protective equipment and are therefore classified as adjunctive personal protective equipment. In…

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Young People Struggle To Access ARVs During Lockdown

Michael Gwarisa

YOUNG People Living with HIV have raised alarm over their struggle to access life saving Antiretroviral drugs and other key sexual reproductive health (SRH) services from health institutions during the lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa A number of young people living with HIV told this publication that children and youths living with HIV risk defaulting on medication as they are struggling to access health institutions or get clearance past police checkpoints owing to the strict measures government adopted during the lockdown period. In most cases, police are not considering hospital…

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Consult Before Extending Lockdwon, Health Experts Warn

Michael Gwarisa

PUBLIC health experts have called on President Emerson Mnangagwa to consult various stakeholders from all sectors before instituting a lockdown extension. By Michael Gwarisa Even though President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not announced any plans to extend the Lockdown, various sections of the economy believe an extension should not be a copy and paste scenario. Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said the lockdown extension needs extensive consultations lest innocent lives will be endangered especially those who rely heavily on the informal sector. The lockdown extension…

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#BREAKING: Bulawayo Records Increase In Community Transmissions Of COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

FOLLOWING government’s decentralisation of COVID-19 testing, Bulawayo seem to be recording an increased number of community transmissions mostly among contacts to the late case number 11. By Michael Gwarisa According to statistics from the Ministry of Health’s National Tuberculosis (TB) Reference Laboratory in Bulawayo, out of the six samples that were collected for testing, three turned out positive.  The total number of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe now stand at 17. Case number 15 is a 34-year-old female resident of Bulawayo. She has no recent history of travel or known contact…

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Merck Foundation Trains 500 Specialist Health Workers In Africa

Healthtimes

MERCK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA says it is satisfied with doctors going back to work in their countries after being trained to specialize in different fields. By Winnie Agnes Botha-Merck Foundation The aim of Merck Foundation training program is to develop a strong platform of specialists in Oncology, Fertility and Diabetes. The specialized doctors are expected to support the public health system of their respective countries to improve access to equitable and quality healthcare. Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer-CEO- Dr. Rasha Kelej, who is also President of…

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#Covid19Zim: Old Mutual Unveils ZW$2 billion Insurance Package For Healthcare Workers

Healthtimes

OLD Mutual has set aside a ZW$2 billion life insurance cover which is set  benefit health professionals on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic for the next six months.   SOURCE: The Zimbabwe Independent  The initiative by the financial services provider and its subsidiaries including CABS is also expected to support innovations in tertiary education institutions to address immediate and long-term impacts of the spread of Covid-19. The package will provide life cover for healthcare workers from April 2020 to September 30 2020. Old Mutual will provide 12 times…

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Merck Foundation Launches ‘Stay At Home’ Media Awards

Healthtimes

MERK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with African First Ladies  have announced the call for applications for their ‘Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards for African countries. By Kudakwashe Pembere The organisation is working with First ladies from Ghana, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC ), Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Guinea Conakry, Burundi, Central African Republic (C.A.R.), Chad, Zimbabwe, Zambia, The Gambia, Liberia and Congo Brazzaville on the media awards initiative. The theme of the awards is ‘Raising Awareness on how to Stay Safe and keep Physically…

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UK Scales Up Support For The Vulnerable In The Midst Of COVID-19 In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

THE United Kingdom (UK) has pledged its commitment to help combat  COVID19  in Zimbabwe through offering technical and financial assistance to various partners as part of its humanitarian efforts and mission to improve health conditions for vulnerable communities. By Michael Gwarisa  To date, the UK has pledged £544 million to support vaccine and treatments research, protecting fragile economies and helping organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF to slow the spread of the disease. In Zimbabwe, the Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting partners UNICEF, WHO, UNDP…

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Mystery Shrouds Zim’s Second COVID-19 Death…Doctors Want Urgent Probe Into Matter

Michael Gwarisa

CIRCUMSTANCES leading to the demise of Zimbabwe’s 11th COVID-19 case has opened a can of worms, further exposing  the fissures and  the country’s lack of preparedness in dealing with the raging pandemic which has infected  more than a million people globally and claimed 70 000 lives. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe yesterday recorded its 11th case of COVID-19 which also turned out to be the country’s latest fatality from the virus, this time a 79 year old Bulawayo man who succumbed to symptoms of the virus over the weekend. The latest…

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Delta Avails ZW$6 Million Towards Zim COVID-19 Battle

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S leading beverages manufacturing concern, Delta Corporation has donated an amount to the tune of ZW$5 million to the government of Zimbabwe and ZW$1 million worth of medical accessories which will be channelled directly towards the identified immediate needs of frontline health care and law enforcement officers in the fight against COVID-19. By Michael Gwarisa The COVID-19 has infected more than million people globally and claimed 79, 060 lives. Zimbabwe currently has 10 cases including one death. Over the weeks, private sector and other well wishers have come forward to…

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