Category: Health News

OVC Program: Hope for HIV positive mothers

Michael Gwarisa

IT is a beautiful Tuesday morning and Sarudzai (36) wakes up very early at the break of dawn to do her household chores and prepare her eldest 12-year-old child for school. Limping, she does her chores methodically and thoroughly. Health Correspondent Sarudzai is living with a disability, her left leg is deformed since birth but she has mastered the art of doing everything on her own and fend for her family.  The married mother of three from Mutimuri Village in Chegutu District is living with HIV but she has since…

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Govt, Unicef Tackle Communication Gaps In Adolescent, Maternal and Child Health

Healthtimes

MINISTRY of Health and Child Care’s Family Health Department and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) engaged health promotion officers in the country to tackle communication gaps hampering the utilisation of Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services. By HealthTimes Reporter Speaking the meeting, Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena the Communication for Development Officer at UNICEF said RMNCAH&N outcomes are shaped by individual, community behaviours, social / gender norms. “Delays in seeking care, poor home-based care management of pregnant women and children, supply-side barriers, and lack of an enabling environment…

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Government to avail 1600 health posts

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care plans to open 1600 health posts across the country. These vacancies have arisen as a result of the Primary Health Care initiative which is the foundation of Universal Health Coverage. “This is a new concept in line with Primary Health Care where services are brought closer to the people,” said Mr Stephen Banda, Director Policy and Planning. The concept was approved by cabinet last year and the ministry is working on establishing community health facilities across the country. “Cabinet approved this concept last…

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Hundreds Turn Up For Cleft Lip/Palate Screening At Harare Central Hospital

Healthtimes

OPERATION of Hope began cleft lip and cleft palate screening on Sunday at Harare Central Hospital following 48 successful surgeries in Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. By Kudakwashe Pembere Targeting about 60 patients at Harare Hospital, this program supported by Schweppes Zimbabwe and Harare Central Rotary Club will take about a week. Speaking to journalists, Harare Hospital Clinical Director Dr Christopher Pasi said they do these operations at their hospital but usually end up with a huge backlog. “This program is important for us because this deformity that babies are born…

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Zim Launches Viral Hepatitis Program

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has launched a National Viral Hepatitis program to tackle hepatitis infections known to cause liver inflammation and damage. By Kudakwashe Pembere The inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. Researchers have discovered several different viruses that cause hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Speaking at the launch, acting health secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga called on stakeholders to develop a strategy to deal with this rising epidemic. “We desire to catch up with the global community in bringing…

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PSMAS Subsidizes Medication Costs For Members

Michael Gwarisa

PSMAS members with chronic ailments will with immediate effect pay not more than 10% of the total cost of prescribed medication following a temporary arrangement made by the society to cushion them against high shortfalls. By Michael Gwarisa Chronic diseases include arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and some viral diseases such as hepatitis C and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Speaking to HealthTimes, PSMAS public relations manager Mr Arthur Choga said the new arrangement would go a long way in guarding members from the astronomical costs of drugs and…

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Transgender Women At High Risk Of Cervical Cancer- Study

Healthtimes

A new study has revealed that Transgender women receiving hormonal therapy are at greater risk of developing breast cancer. The study dubbed “Breast Cancer Risk in transgender people receiving hormone treatment” has revealed that there was an increased risk of breast cancer in trans women compared with cisgender men, and a lower risk in trans men compared with cisgender women. In trans women, the risk of breast cancer increased during a relatively short duration of hormone treatment and the characteristics of the breast cancer resembled a more female pattern. Most…

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Call For Financial Commitment To Health Sector

Healthtimes

HEALTH lobbyists have called on treasury to prioritize the health care sector the same way they  bail out the fuel situation. By Kudakwashe Pembere This call comes at a time when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe quickly moved in with a US$50 million facility to calm the fuel crisis when a health tempest rages on. With pharmaceutical wholesalers in Zimbabwe currently requiring US$37, 8 million to settle arrears with foreign suppliers and manufacturers, the whole health sector according to Health and Child Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo needs US$400 000. Little…

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People Living With HIV Worried Over Expired ARVs…MCAZ Calls For Calm

Michael Gwarisa

PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) have expressed concerns over failure by government and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to consult with them following the expiration of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. By Michael Gwarisa The development follows revelations that health institutions continued dispensing ARVs even after they had passed their shelf life. This has not  gone down well with PLHIV and on ART who  believe the consultation process should have started with them since they are the ones directly affected by any changes in the drugs. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mrs…

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Menstrual Health Trust Launched In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

A Menstrual Health Specialist Trust (MHS) which is to boost donor and partner support for menstrual health products in Zimbabwe has been officially launched. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the launch, The Butterfly Cup Company Managing Director, Sarah Fox said girls from marginalised communities were finding it hard to access sanitary wear and at times end up missing school lessons and productive time as they try to manage their periods in isolation. By launching the MHS trust, we hope to be able to engage with you to help vulnerable women…

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