Health News |

Zimbabwe Struggles To Cover Third 95

December 11, 2019December 12, 2019 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE lags behind in having 95 percent of the HIV population with viral load suppression (VLS) owing to low viral load testing services uptake, a research has found. By Kudakwashe Pembere Among the key challenges is the demotivating turnaround time taken to receive viral load testing (results VLTR). The study done to expose the ‘Barriers to Accessing HIV Related Services for Women Living with HIV’ by Pan African Positive Women Coalition (PAPWC) Zimbabwe through a consultant Mr Amos Milanzi found four critical challenges. The first one was the results take…

Speakout Campaign Against GBV Launched in Epworth

December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

A campaign to eliminate Gender Based Violence (GBV) at community level was today (11/12/19) launched in Epworth, Harare amidst indications that government and partners are in the process of setting up a One-Stop Centre for GBV survivors in the same area. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the launch of the Speakout: No Longer Silent Campaign in Epworth, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprise Development Provincial Development Officer Mr Ernest Chimbodza said the only way communities can end GBV is by uniting and exposing acts of Sexual Gender…

Govt In Talks On Powering Hospitals With Solar Energy

December 11, 2019 Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT says it is in discussions with potential investors to ensure that Zimbabwe’s hospitals are solar powered. By Kudakwashe Pembere Incessant power cuts stretching 18 hours a day have crippled operations not only in the manufacturing sector but the health sector as well. Energy and Power Development Minister Honorable Fortune Chasi in an interview with HealthTimes in acknowledgement said they are seized with this crisis in this health sector. “There are problems with the hospitals and particularly also with mortuaries. We have brought attention today on what needs to be…

Fake Malaria Drugs Kill 158,000 Yearly In Africa

December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

A recent study indicates that at least 158,000 people die as a result of fake malaria drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa every year owing to lack of a response mechanisms seen in other parts of the world, including supply chain regulation, track-and-trace technology and enforcement regimes. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 42% of detected cases of substandard or falsified pharmaceuticals occurred in Africa. Research findings from a study by the European Union-funded ENACT project on the threat of counterfeight drugs in Africa indicate that Globalisation has made it harder…

Stigma slows down ART interventions in Chegutu

December 10, 2019December 10, 2019 Healthtimes

CHEGUTU a farming and mining community in Mashonaland West is one of the few districts that have Medium Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage gap in Zimbabwe. Due to low levels of education amongst most people from farming communities, the levels of stigma are still high, hence the ART coverage gap (1,500-3,000) people living HIV. Due to interventions by ITECH a United States Government President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) partner spearheading viral load testing and monitoring in at least 31 clinics, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage has improved over the years.…

Health Minister Reads Riot Act To Unlicensed Medicine Street Vendors

December 9, 2019 Healthtimes

HEALTH and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo has tasked the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to strengthen its inspection activities on unlicensed medicine vendors to make sure they are arrested instantly. By Kudakwashe Pembere Dr Moyo directed the Authority to strengthen its arresting mechanisms to clear these people off the streets. “There is someone who came and reported that they bought something in the hope it would be functional. I said why did you go to Fife Avenue Shopping Centre to start with, now you are in a…

2019 Top 10 Health Champions

December 9, 2019December 9, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

IT’S that time of the year once again where we appreciate and honour those who sacrificed their time, resources and life to the good cause of advancing quality health services in various communities around the country. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently in the doldrums and only a miracle of double proportion can resurrect this ailing industry. The year 2019 was characterised by massive job actions by health personnel, lack of sundries and hospital equipment to mention just a few challenges. However, despite these challenges, some individuals remained…

HIV TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN TO BE PRODUCED FOR ONE DOLLAR A DAY

December 9, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

INDIAN pharmaceutical company Cipla has announced their commitment to price the ground-breaking new product Quadrimune, a “4‑in‑1” treatment for young children with HIV, at below a dollar a day. Quadrimune is currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children between 3 and 25 kg bodyweight. This pleasant tasting, heat-stable fixed-dose combination of four antiretrovirals (ARVs) for infants and young children with HIV was developed in partnership by Cipla and the not-for-profit Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) with financial support from Unitaid and…

NBSZ Assists Cyclone Idai Schools

December 7, 2019March 11, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service Zimbabwe has donated dignity kits and stationery to at least six schools that were affected by Cyclone Idai in March this year. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mutare The donation is valued at RTGS$169 425.35 and is set to benefit at the six schools which also used to be NBSZ major collection panels. These are Biriri High School, Chimanimani High School, Ndima High School, Nyahode High School, Risutu High School and St Charles Luwanga. NBSZ Public Affairs Manager Esther Massundah said they will continue to provide…

Global Young Women and Adolescent Girls SRHR Movement Launches In Zim

December 7, 2019 Healthtimes

A global movement advocating for young girls and adolescent girls decision making power over their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights was launched in Harare on Friday night. By Kudakwashe Pembere She Decides Zimbabwe Coordinator and movement builder Mr Onward Chironda said donor agencies, civil society organisations, diplomatic corps, faith based organisation and parliamentarians pledged to support their cause. The movement is about creating a community or world safe for adolescent girls, safer for them decide on issues of teenage pregnancy, gender based violence, child marriages and other many harmful cultural…