Category: Health News

Health Workers Reject Salary Increase

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Health Apex Council has rejected the 60% cost of living adjustment which has been tabled by the Health Services Bipartite Negotiating panel. By Michael Gwarisa In a circular, the Health Apex council said  in as much as they appreciate government’s decision to adjust their salaries by 60% from the previous 10%, it still falls short from addressing the myriad of challenges bedeviling health professionals on a daily basis. Health Services negotiating panel Government has put on the table a  cost of living adjustment of 60% from the previous…

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Eight Foreign Companies Interested In Transforming Zim Hospitals

Healthtimes

EIGHT international companies have submitted their bids to turn public health institutions in Zimbabwe into super-specialist hospitals, a Cabinet official said on Thursday. By Kudakwashe Pembere Giving his debut Zimbabwe Medical Association Annual Congress official address, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the international companies are eager to take up the task of revamping the hospitals. He said he wants the country to have super-specialist hospitals with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals undergoing some upgrades. “And Im happy ladies and gentlemen to advise that as I am addressing…

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CSOs Raise Awareness On HIV & Disabilities At Agric Show

Michael Gwarisa

A consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) representing people living with disabilities is riding on the 109th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) to raise awareness on sexual reproductive health (SRH) issues affecting people with disabilities (PWDs) in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa The consortium which consists of Deaf Zimbabwe Trust (DZT), Mashambanzou Care Trust (MCT), Disability, HIV & AIDS Trust (DHAT) with support from the Zimbabwe Aids Network (ZAN) has this week been conducting stand to stand visits on various exhibitions stands educating exhibitors on SRH concerns faced by…

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#BREAKING: PSMAS Increases Tariffs By 80%

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has approved Premier Medical Aid Society’s (PSMAS) request to review its tariffs upwards. By Michael Gwarisa Health Services Board (HSB) Executive Director, Ms Ruth Kaseke said they have given PSMAS the green light to review tariffs  in line with the prevailing economic challenges which is characterised by hyperinflation and massive foreign currency shortages. Please be advised that treasury has approved the review of monthly subscriptions in line with the prevailing economic environment. “Accordingly, subscriptions for members have been reviewed by 80% with effect from August 1, 2019 in line…

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195 Zimbabweans On Third Line ART Drugs

Healthtimes

THERE are about 195 patients on the third line Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) regimen in Zimbabwe which health experts say is not a good sign. By Kuda Pembere While presenting at the Zima Scientific Conference, Newlands Clinic’s Chimbetete said due to lack of genotype resistance testing in the country’s public health institutions, they could not get some of the results like Viral load and CD4 counts. This was from a study they did on the four centres with people on third line ART namely Newlands Clinic, Mpilo Hospital, Harare Central Hospital…

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Switzerland Boost Funding For AIDS, TB and Malaria

Michael Gwarisa

THE Swiss government is stepping up support for the fight against infectious diseases by contributing nearly CHF100 million ($102 million) to UN health agencies. By Michael Gwarisa The Federal Council on 21 August 2019 approved a contribution of CHF64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for the 2020–22 period and a further CHF30 million for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2019–21 period. Speaking to HealthTimes, The Swiss Embassy in Zimbabwe said the Global Fund was one of Switzerland’s…

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Zima Conference Roars To Life

Healthtimes

THIS year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Medical Association (Zima) conference kicked off on Wednesday on a high note, with a symposium tackling electronic health issues. By Kuda Pembere Running under the theme ‘Zimbabwean Expressions in Digital Health”, the symposium showed the interest and strides made by the country. Zima National Spokesperson Dr Sacrifice Chirisa told HealthTimes, the event showed willingness to adopt e-Health in their practice. Today we started with the Zima Annual National Congress and we are having a symposium where we are looking at e-Health. We are saying…

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Plan International Releases Guide On Embracing Positive Masculinity In Boys

Michael Gwarisa

LEADING girls’ rights agency Plan International Australia has today launched a guide for parents to help boys embrace healthy, positive masculinity. The guide contains nine evidence-based tips, informed by global experts at Plan International, together with Promundo, a global leader in engaging men and boys in promoting gender equality and preventing violence, and Jesuit Social Services, a social change organisation. The guide offers parents simple, practical tips to talk to their sons about healthy masculinity, and encourage positive beliefs and behaviours from an early age, including: how parents can use…

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Why Decriminalising HIV Transmission is The Way To Go For Zim

Michael Gwarisa

OVER the past few months, there has been talk around the subject of decriminalising HIV transmission. The minister of Justice, Honorable Ziyambi Ziyambi told Parliament that government was planning to decriminalise wilful transmission of HIV following the gazetting of the Marriage Bill. By Michael Gwarisa Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) which include the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Katswe Sisterhood, Zimbabwe Aids Network (ZAN), Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+) among others have been advocating for the repealing of Section 79 of the Criminal law which criminalises…

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Mash West Health Workers Get Sleeping Sickness Control Training

Healthtimes

THE Health and Child Care Ministry is currently training community health workers in Hurungwe and Kariba on how to manage sleeping sickness. By Kuda Pembere Amid indications of misdiagnosis of this condition also known as human African trypanomiasis, with technical support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the ministry found it necessary to bridge the knowledge gap. The training workshop which began on Monday ends on Friday. “We want to develop and capacitate human African trypanomiasis health facilities as well as strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of the disease at…

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