Category: Health News

People still have sex during outbreaks. Forgetting that can be deadly

Healthtimes

THE world is gearing up its response to the rapidly spreading new coronavirus, SARS-Cov-2. But as it does so, access to sexual and reproductive health services and care are being severely curtailed. By Matshidiso Moeti and Julitta Onabanjo In 1994, the groundbreaking 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo produced a paradigm-shifting ICPD Programme of Action. The document committed more than 180 countries to ensuring comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care for everyone.It also recognised that sexual and reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, and that both…

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US Channels $150,000 PEPFAR Money Towards Preventing COVID-19 In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

THE United States, through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (or PEPFAR), is using at least $150,000 USD to help with COVID-19 prevention measures in Zimbabwe specifically targeted at people living with HIV. By Michael Gwarisa This PEPFAR funding includes the purchase of soap, buckets, hand washing stations and hand sanitizer for supported facilities, and the reproduction of COVID-19 communication materials to be shared at supported facilities and through faith and community networks around Zimbabwe. Three PEPFAR clinical implementing partners, OPHID, I-TECH and ZACH, will carry out the…

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WHO Director Slams Racist French Doctors Who Suggested Africa As COVID-19 Vaccine Testing Ground

Michael Gwarisa

DIRECTOR General for the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has taken a swipe at French scientists and medical doctors for suggesting that Africa should be testing ground for COVI-19 Vaccine trials. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Tedros said the remarks by the scientists were nothing more than racist rants and a hangover from a colonial mentality. There was comment I think last week where some couple of scientists said the testing ground for the vaccine will be Africa. Honestly, I was so appalled. These remarks  came at a…

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#JUSTIN: Zim Gvt Allows Herbalist To Treat Covid19 Patients

Healthtimes

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has given popular herbalist, Mr Kenneth Chivizhe the green light to run treatment on Covid19 patients. By Michael Gwarisa Health Secretary, Dr Agnes Mahomva said the mentioned herbalist says his herbs can treat Covid-19 like symptoms and should be allowed to operate. “The government of Zimbabwe recognises the use of traditional medicines. To this end, a registered traditional medical practitioner (TMP) can prescribe or administer traditional medicines to his or her patients,” said Dr Mahomva. Read Dr Mahomva’s letter to Dr Chonzi 

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Strive Masiyiwa donates ventilators in Covid-19 response

Michael Gwarisa

Econet’s Strive Masiyiwa has donated 45 full Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilator suites to be distributed to Zimbabwe’s public hospitals. SOURCE: NEWSDAY The country has been facing a severe shortage of ventilators which are key in managing patients with Covid-19. Zimbabwe is not the only country which has been struggling to secure the life saving equipment which cost from $15,000 up to $100,000 each. Globally countries have raised concerns over lack of these machines which are critical in patients struggling to breath on. The death of broadcaster Zororo Makamba exposed…

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#JUSTIN: Police To Use Water Cannons To Disinfect Harare Covid-19 Hotspots

Healthtimes

THE City of Harare in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has advised residents in Harare to comply with the directive to stay at home as they conduct a more extensive disinfection of the Covid-19 hot-spots. By Michael Gwarisa In a tweet, City of Harare said, “Dear Residents, We advise you that we are being assisted by ZRP to disinfect all hotspots in the City. ” These include Mbare Musika, Mbare Hostels, and all CBD bus ranks. Police will be using vehicles traditionally used during riot control.”

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We Must Act Now To Reduce The Likely Impact Of COVID-19 In Africa

Healthtimes

THE COVID-19 outbreak is placing unprecedented strains on sophisticated health systems in Europe and Asia, with overstretched medical staff struggling to treat their patients and intensive care facilities overwhelmed in rich countries. By Winnie Byanyima Imagine then the effect on health systems in Africa as the virus takes a hold here. This crisis is already exposing glaring inequalities between the rich and the poor in the developed world, and it is about to reflect even greater inequalities between the North and the South. We need to act! The lack of…

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Plasma, The Most Critical Blood Component For COVID-19 Treatment

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE this week commenced its 21 days lockdown as a response to the growing cases of the COVID-19 in the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has nine confirmed COVID-19 cases but with increased testing, cases are likely to increase in the coming weeks. In his address prior to the commencement of the Lockdown, President Emerson Mnangagwa hinted that essential services and critical staff in various key sectors will be reporting for work even during the shutdown period. The National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is among those organisations whose…

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Funeral Companies Suspend Burials For All COVID-19 Deaths

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE Funeral Service companies have adopted a cocktail of measures in their handling of removals and burials for their members amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The development comes after Zimbabwe has recorded eight confirmed COVID-19 cases including one death while on a global scale, the virus has infected hundreds of thousands of lives and claimed more than 35 000 lives. In response to the COVID-19, Funeral services providers met with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) to discuss handling of removals and burials moving forward. See Attached Memo…

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Zim Gvt, UN Launch US$715m 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan

Michael Gwarisa

THE 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan for Zimbabwe was launched today, targeting 5.6 million people with food assistance and support in the areas of health, water-sanitation-hygiene, education, protection, nutrition, shelter, and camp coordination and management. The plan requests for a total of US$715 million from international community. The Humanitarian Response Plan was signed by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing, Honorable July Moyo and the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Maria Ribeiro in the presence of His Excellency President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, Government Ministers, WHO and WFP representatives…

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