Category: Health News

Healthcare Workers in Beitbridge Trained to Provide Inclusive SRHR and HIV Services

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  A group of 18 healthcare workers, including midwives, recently underwent specialized training aimed at improving healthcare service delivery for vulnerable and marginalized populations in and around the border town of Beitbridge. The two-day workshop focused on inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV, and tuberculosis (TB) services. It was spearheaded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Save the Children, Family Support Trust (FST), and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care. The initiative also received support from the Embassy of the…

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Children in Africa Face Growing Threat from Drug-Resistant Infections, New Global Study Warns

Kuda Pembere
AMR

By Staff Reporter A sobering new study unveiled Sunday at ESCMID Global 2025 revealed that over 3 million children worldwide died in 2022 due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related infections with nearly 660,000 of those deaths occurring in Africa alone. The findings, presented by researchers from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and global partners, highlight the devastating impact of AMR on the world’s youngest and most vulnerable, placing Africa firmly among the hardest-hit regions. Children in Africa are bearing the brunt of this growing crisis,” said Professor Joseph Harwell, Senior…

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Future of ZIMPHIA Survey Uncertain as US Freezes Research Support

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s prospects of conducting its third Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA), a crucial household-based national HIV survey, are hanging in the balance amid indications of potential funding cuts from the United States to global scientific research initiatives. Zimbabwe has already hosted two ZIMPHIA surveys—the first in 2015/2016 and the second in 2020. Both were largely funded by the United States government through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), channeled via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 2020 survey cost approximately US$20 million…

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SAYWHAT Trains 40 Youth-led Organizations On Advocacy and Governance

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Forty youth-led organizations from across Zimbabwe have been in Harare since Tuesday, participating in training on advocacy, governance, and monitoring and evaluation. The training, organized by SAYWHAT, was initiated in response to the realization that many youth organizations were not reaching their full potential due to a lack of adequate skills. Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday, Mr. Osward Mudhunguyo, Director of Youth Empowerment in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, said the training demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering youth to contribute…

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Rampant Sexual Networks Hinder Mpox Response in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Efforts to curb the spread of Mpox among African Union member states remain a challenge due to widespread and interconnected sexual networks, HealthTimes has learned. Uganda currently leads in new Mpox cases, accounting for 50% of all recorded infections in Africa over the past six weeks. The majority of cases in Uganda stem from the Clade 1B strain, which is sexually transmitted. Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have collectively recorded 94% of confirmed cases since the beginning of the year. Speaking during the…

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Seasonal Wild Vegetables Could End Hidden Hunger in Zimbabwe – Expert

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A University of Zimbabwe food scientist has warned that many exotic vegetables, such as lettuce and rape, contain significantly fewer micronutrients essential for growth and combating hidden hunger. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hidden hunger refers to malnutrition characterized by micronutrient deficiencies where individuals consume enough calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development. Speaking at a National AIDS Council (NAC) Editors and Station Managers Workshop recently, Dr. Batsi Chipurura from the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences at the…

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Botswana Launches National TB Caucus to Combat Tuberculosis Crisis

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Botswana has launched its National TB Caucus, a landmark initiative uniting policymakers, health experts, and civil society to accelerate efforts in tackling tuberculosis (TB). The launch, held in Gaborone, aligns with global targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. With one of the highest TB incidence rates globally, Botswana is stepping up its fight against the disease, which remains a major public health concern. Tuberculosis continues to pose a significant challenge for Botswana, with an incidence rate of…

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Zim in top five countries with high maternal mortality rates in SADC

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe is among the top five countries in the SADC region with the highest maternal mortality rates (MMR), HealthTimes has learned. According to data from a joint report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division, Zimbabwe ranked fourth. The report, titled Trends in Maternal Mortality Estimates 2000 to 2023, revealed that Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality rate dropped from 368 per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 358 per…

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MCAZ Warns Against Unapproved Advertisement of Medicines

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has raised alarm over the increasing trend of unapproved medicine advertisements, particularly on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). The authority has noted that celebrities and social media influencers are among those promoting these medicines, including herbal and complementary products, without the required authorization. MCAZ Director-General Mr. Richard T. Rukwata emphasized the legal and health implications of such advertisements, stating, “The unauthorized promotion of medicines poses a significant risk to public health, as it can…

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Road Safety Audits Launch Meeting Highlights Sustainable Mobility Initiatives

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter A pivotal meeting to launch a Road Safety Audits Training initiative was held on March 27, 2025, at Moto Republik in Harare, Zimbabwe. The initiative aims to enhance road safety and promote sustainable mobility across the country. The event was funded by the FIA Foundation through the FIA Safe & Sustainable Mobility Grant Program, awarded to the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe (AAZ). It brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure Development, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, and experts from organizations such as…

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