Category: Health News

BREAKING: Harare Hospital CEO Masuka Fired…Witch-hunt or Due Diligence?

Healthtimes

HARARE Central Hospital CEO Dr Nyasha Masuka has been fired forthwith in what is believed to be a case of witch-hunting, HealthTimes has learnt. By Kudakwashe Pembere A source familiar with the developments told this publication on condition of anonymity that they were shocked to learn of his sacking. “We were shocked hearing that Dr Masuka was fired given he was a hardworking, frank and disciplined chief executive,” said the source. “You cant just fire someone like that like a dog. It would be acceptable if they gave him a…

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US$ 60M Urgently Required For Relief Response To Cyclone Idai

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THE government, United Nations, donors and Non-Governmental Organisations convened today to launch a revised Humanitarian Flash Appeal to include response to Cyclone Idai requesting for an additional USD 60 million, bringing the total amount to USD 294 million required by humanitarian partners to complement national response efforts to drought, economic challenges and Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe. The launch of the revised humanitarian flash appeal convened by the UN Resident Coordinator was held at the UN offices in Harare bringing together senior representatives from Government, Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps…

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TelOne To Erect Standalone Bins At Dump Sites To Complement Clean Up Drive

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AS a response to the national call  to maintaining a clean environment, TelOne has hinted on rolling out standalone bins around illegal dump sites to improve waste disposal and management at community level, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with the TelOne Managing Director, Mrs Chipo Mtasa  on the side-lines of the clean-up day, she said there is need to have a sustainable way of managing refuse collection at community level in a manner that inculcates a culture of hygiene and personal love for the community. “The issue…

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#BREAKING: One Million Get Second Dose Of Cholera

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OVER one million people received the second dose of the cholera vaccine in Harare, Epworth and Chitungwiza suburbs as , HealthTimes has learnt. By Kudakwashe Pembere The second dose of vaccination began on March 25 ending on April 2, 2019 and those who have been vaccinated are protected from cholera for the next three to five years. In an interview with HealthTimes, WHO vaccine consultant Dr Marc Poncin said according to their preliminary results they had an administrative coverage of over 90 percent. “The number of doses administrated in Harare during…

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Zim Has Enough Jet Fuel For Cyclone Idai Relief Program- WFP

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THE World Food Program (WFP) in collaboration with the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and local fuel dealers has secured adequate jet fuel for its ongoing operations in the Cyclone Idai hit areas. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, WFP Zimbabwe said contrary to media reports, there was no shortage to talk about and everything was going smoothly according to plan. “The WFP is aware of the news article alleging shortages of jet fuel in Zimbabwe that would impact negatively on relief efforts. The information in the article is outdated. WFP,…

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Health Workers Also Need Psychosocial Support In Cyclone Idai Hit Areas

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HEALTH workers and even those providing assistance in areas that were hardest hit by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge are also in need of counseling and psycho-therapy, a Health and Child Care ministry official has said. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was said by Epidemiological and Disease Control Director Dr Portia Manangazira at a Cyclone Idai Psychological Support Sensitisation, Training and Coordination Meeting on Tuesday. “Psycho-social support should be provided across board. Don’t overlook our health staff. The people have been busy organizing themselves and coordinating with everyone,” she said.…

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#BREAKING: Cholera Vaccine for Chimanimani and Chipinge

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  THE Health and Childcare Ministry has requested over 470 000 cholera vaccines to cover Chimanimani and Chipinge, the hardest hit areas in Zimbabwe by Cyclone Idai, HealthTimes has learnt. By Kudakwashe Pembere The vaccination program is targeting areas positioned close to Mozambique where cholera cases have been reported. In an interview, Health Ministry Epidemiology and Disease Control  Director Dr Portia Manangazira said given closeness of Zimbabwe’s eastern neighbor to the affected areas of Chipinge and Chimanimani, they need 475 000 vaccines. “So we have already requested about 475 000…

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Zim Team Takes Community Mental Health Model To Rwanda and Liberia

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THE Friendship Bench after successful adoption in the  United States of America (USA) and other African countries expects to scale up their model  to Rwanda and Liberia. By Kudakwashe Pembere The Friendship Bench project funded by Grand Challenges Canada developed a low-cost, task-sharing initiative to train village and community health workers to deliver a basic psychological intervention for common mental disorders. This project which was started 13 years ago by Professor Dixon Chibanda, has since been rolled out to Harare and Gweru, and is being piloted for rural settings in…

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Cross Boarder Activity Fertile Ground For Multi Drug Resistant TB

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FOLLOWING a positive diagnosis of Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR TB) in 2010, life for Mr Mthobisi Ndebele (45) from Makokoba, Bulawayo unfolded like a horror movie script in front of his eyes. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Bulawayo Having worked as a Malayitsha for the better part of his life (cross boarder transporter) plying the South Africa /Zimbabwe route, he watched his fortunes fade into oblivion as his possessions, family, friends, and not forgetting his health vanish  into an abyss of uncertainty, leaving him broke, jobless and hopeless. At…

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UN Refugee Agency airlifts relief support to survivors of Cyclone Idai

Healthtimes

[dropcap]THE[/dropcap] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over to Government today some 80 MT relief items, including family tents, plastic tarpaulins, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, solar lamps and kitchen sets to support 10,000 Zimbabweans affected by cyclone Idai. “The devastating cyclone has left people in dire need of humanitarian support,” said UNHCR Country Representative Robert Tibagwa while handing over the airlifted relief items at Robert Mugabe International Airport. “UNHCR supplies will help provide shelter and basic items to survivors, including women and children, as they have lost everything.”…

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