Category: Health News

‘Cyclone Idai Destroyed ARVs For Over 1 million People’

Healthtimes

ABOUT 1 , 1 million people living with HIV were left stranded without access to antiretroviral medication in the Cyclone Idai distressed countries, a top United Nations official said on Monday. By Kudakwashe Pembere Briefing the media, UN Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ursula Mueller said they were concerned about people in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe living with HIV who lost their medication. “The imminent loss of antiretroviral medication to some 1, 1 million people is particularly alarming,” she said. She also bemoaned the…

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Unesco Study Reveals Gaps in Condom Uptake and HIV testing In Zim Universities

Michael Gwarisa

A recent study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has revealed that there is still low uptake of condoms and HIV testing services among University Students in Zimbabwe despite the students being highly informed about the risks of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). By Michael Gwarisa The study dubbed the UNESCO HEARD report was produced under the leadership of the UNESCO HIV and Health Education Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr Patricia Machawira and Mr Remmy Shawa. The report indicates that even though there…

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One Million New STI Cases Every Day, Says WHO

Healthtimes

THERE are more than one million new Sexually Transmitted Infections among people aged between 15 and 49 years, the World Health Organisation says. By Kudakwashe Pembere In a report released on Thursday, the WHO noted that this translates to more than 376 million new cases annually of four infections such as gonorrhoea, thrichomoniasis, chlamydia and syphilis. “We’re seeing a concerning lack of progress in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections worldwide,” said Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director for Universal Health Coverage and the Life-Course at WHO. “This is a…

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Concern Over Low Health Insurance Uptake

Healthtimes

PARLIAMENTARIANS are worried over the low coverage of Zimbabweans by medical aid companies which stands at 10 percent while almost everyone in the country has a funeral insurance. By Kudakwashe Pembere Speaking during a Health Portfolio Committee meeting with the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe, Matebeleland North Member of Parliament Dr Ruth Labode said the association could take a leaf from Rwanda’s appealing NHI model. “I am really surprised that about 29 medical aids cover only 1, 3 million in Zimbabwe. You know I saw somewhere that you are…

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‘Nipping Corruption Key to NHI Scheme Fund’

Healthtimes

PARLIAMENTARIANS are worried over the custodianship of the impending National Health Insurance Scheme given the ill governance issues experienced through Premier Service Medical Aid Society and the National Social Security Association. By Kudakwashe Pembere During a health portfolio hearing for the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) on Tuesday, BINGA North MP Dubeko Prince Sibanda said it was important for the organisation representing about 30 medical insurance companies to guard against corruption  since they are pushing for inclusion in national health insurance consultations. With NSSA at one time being selected to handle…

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National Currency Position Confusing: AHFoZ

Healthtimes

THE Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) wants clarity on the monetary currency used in Zimbabwe as patients and healthcare funders  bear the brunt of pumping huge amounts of money pegged against the United States Dollar. By Kudakwashe Pembere Giving submissions before the Parliamentary Portfolio on Health and Child Care on Tuesday, AHFoZ chairperson Mr Stanford Sisya said this confusion leaves the healthcare funders and patients suffering more. “We have noticed an upsurge in terms of inflation since October 2018. As healthcare funders, what we have faced is an…

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PCD Diagnostics Covers Digital Thermometers Gap

Healthtimes

 Zimbabwean government and private hospitals received digital thermometers from Germany headquarter ed company Drager through its local agent PCD Diagnostics last week. By Kudakwashe Pembere Over 100 digital thermometers were handed over to the Paediatric Association of Zimbabwe at Harare Central Hospital. “We had a donation on Friday at Harare Hospital. This was a follow up because last year, from the 21th to the 24th of May we held a Neonatal ICU training at our Draeger Offices in Sandburg. So in attendance there were Government and private hospitals. “Mainly there…

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MCAZ Cautions Against Deceiving Medicine Advertisements

Healthtimes

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has raised a red flag over what it deemed spurious advertisements on print, TV and radio media purporting to treat life threatening conditions. By Kudakwashe Pembere In a circular issued on Saturday, MCAZ Director General Ms Gugu Mahlangu dissuaded the media from advertising medicines for about 30 medical conditions. “In implementing the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act, [Chapter 15.03] and its regulations it has come to the attention of the Authority that some media, printing and publishing houses are advertising a variety…

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Zimbabwe Signs MoU With Swiss Pharmaceutical Giant

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ZIMBABWE signed a memorandum of understanding with a Swiss headquartered pharmaceutical company Novartis for patients to access medicines for non-communicable diseases at nominal prices. By Kudakwashe Pembere The signing ceremony done last week will see Zimbabwe each person get medicines for NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes and breast cancer for a dollar a month from Novartis’s unit, Sandoz DD. Speaking after the announcement of the MoU, Dr Moyo expressed confidence that the collaboration would help provide improved health care and reduce preventable deaths. “The issue of access to medicines is…

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Health CSOs Should Be Held Accountable: ZAN

Healthtimes

IT is crucial for civil society organisations dealing with health issues be socially accountable even unto themselves and Government to ensure Zimbabwe is on track of Universal Health Coverage, a Zimbabwe Aids Network official said. By Kudakwashe Pembere Recently In Kadoma At a time when CSOs are always on the state’s case regarding its progress to ensure Zimbabwe achieves UHC, ZAN National Coordinator Mr Taurai Nyandoro said social accountability was similarly important within the CSO circuits. ZAN is a national network organization comprising of AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and other…

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