Category: Health News

New Morning-After Pill in Zimbabwe Offers Protection Up to 120 Hours After Sex

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwean doctors are already calling it a game-changer. In his own words, Dr. Bernard Madzima, a leading family health expert and current Board Chairperson of Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), said, “This pill is changing the game already. This pill can be taken up to 120 hours and still be safe.” He, however, emphasized the need to take the pill within the stipulated 72-hour window for emergency contraceptives. The Back-Up pill, an emergency contraceptive recently introduced by Population Services Zimbabwe—is poised to revolutionize the country’s Sexual and Reproductive…

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Africa CDC to Convene Emergency Meeting to Review Mpox Public Health Status

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following a sustained decline in reported Mpox cases across Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is set to convene an Emergency Consultative Group (ECG) meeting with experts to determine whether Mpox should still be classified as a public health emergency. In August 2024, Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS)—the first such declaration since the agency’s inception in 2017. However, recent evidence from contact tracing and screening interventions suggests a notable reduction in Mpox-related morbidity and mortality…

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Africa CDC to Convene Emergency Meeting to Review Mpox Public Health Status

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following a sustained decline in reported Mpox cases across Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is set to convene an Emergency Consultative Group (ECG) meeting with experts to determine whether Mpox should still be classified as a public health emergency. In August 2024, Africa CDC declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS)—the first such declaration since the agency’s inception in 2017. However, recent evidence from contact tracing and screening interventions suggests a notable reduction in Mpox-related morbidity and mortality…

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MCAZ Recalls Captopril Tablets Used for High Blood Pressure and Heart Conditions Over Quality Concerns

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a Class II recall of Torrent Captopril 25mg tablets, a widely used medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure, due to a detected quality defect that could compromise its safety and effectiveness. The recall affects Batch B520K001, manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India, and is being carried out up to the retail level, including pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. In an official statement, MCAZ Director Mr. Richard Rukwata confirmed the recall was triggered after the affected…

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MCAZ Recalls Captopril Tablets Used for High Blood Pressure and Heart Conditions Over Quality Concerns

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a Class II recall of Torrent Captopril 25mg tablets, a widely used medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure, due to a detected quality defect that could compromise its safety and effectiveness. The recall affects Batch B520K001, manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India, and is being carried out up to the retail level, including pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. In an official statement, MCAZ Director Mr. Richard Rukwata confirmed the recall was triggered after the affected…

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ZGC, PSH Host Editors Indaba on Survivor-Sensitive Reporting of GBV, Child Marriages

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to strengthen media capacity on survivor-sensitive reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child marriages, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC), in partnership with Population Solutions for Health (PSH), hosted a half-day editors’ training workshop in Harare. The workshop drew participation from editors and senior media managers representing leading media houses including the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the Zimpapers Group, AB Communications, Alpha Media Holdings, HealthTimes, and The NewsHawks, among others. Speaking at the event, ZGC Chairperson Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe highlighted the importance of engaging media leadership…

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ZGC, PSH Host Editors Indaba on Survivor-Sensitive Reporting of GBV, Child Marriages

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to strengthen media capacity on survivor-sensitive reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child marriages, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC), in partnership with Population Solutions for Health (PSH), hosted a half-day editors’ training workshop in Harare. The workshop drew participation from editors and senior media managers representing leading media houses including the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the Zimpapers Group, AB Communications, Alpha Media Holdings, HealthTimes, and The NewsHawks, among others. Speaking at the event, ZGC Chairperson Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe highlighted the importance of engaging media leadership…

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PSH Adopts Social Enterprise Model to Sustain Health Services

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a strategic move to ensure long-term sustainability, Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is transforming part of its operations into income-generating ventures, positioning itself as a hybrid social enterprise amid waning international donor support. The shift comes at a time when global health programs are facing disruptions due to the withdrawal of funding from major donors, particularly the United States government. The cutbacks have forced several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that were heavily reliant on donor aid to shut down or scale back significantly. To remain operational and…

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PSH Adopts Social Enterprise Model to Sustain Health Services

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a strategic move to ensure long-term sustainability, Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is transforming part of its operations into income-generating ventures, positioning itself as a hybrid social enterprise amid waning international donor support. The shift comes at a time when global health programs are facing disruptions due to the withdrawal of funding from major donors, particularly the United States government. The cutbacks have forced several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that were heavily reliant on donor aid to shut down or scale back significantly. To remain operational and…

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Number of Licensed Cannabis Producers Sharply Drops from 60 to Five

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere The number of licensed producers of cannabis for medicinal and scientific use in Zimbabwe has shrunk from 60 to about 10, following the renewal of license fees. The decline follows several failed attempts at license arbitrage, a Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) top official said on Tuesday. Since the issuance of the first license in 2019, many holders have struggled to meet renewal requirements due to some of the conditions and challenges such as securing land for cultivation. License arbitrage refers to the practice of leveraging…

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