Category: Health News

Equality Now Urges Stronger Child Protection Measures at ACERWC 45th Ordinary Session

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Maseru, Lesotho – International human rights organization Equality Now, has called for urgent and reinforced actions to safeguard children’s rights in Africa during the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC). Addressing the high-level gathering, Sally Ncube, Equality Now’s representative, emphasized the pressing need for legal reforms and stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect children from harmful practices, violence, and exploitation. The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare…

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Regulatory Rift: Medical Aid Sector Say No to IPEC, While Doctors and Private Hospitals Say It’s Time

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The medical aid industry and healthcare service providers appear to be at odds regarding the proposed Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) Amendment Bill, H.B. 7, 2024. If passed into law, the IPEC Bill will see the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) surrender regulation of the medical aid sector to the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC), which falls under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Bill, H.B. 7, 2024, introduces significant reforms aimed at strengthening regulation, transparency, and policyholder…

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Mbare’s Bedbug Infestation Could Spread Across Harare if Not Contained

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Bedbugs currently tormenting Mbare residents are spreading rapidly from one block to another, raising fears of a full-blown outbreak across Harare if extermination efforts fail. The City of Harare announced yesterday that it would begin fumigating Mbare following reports of the continued spread of bedbugs. Simbarashe Chanachimwe, the Councillor for Ward 3 in Mbare, said previous efforts to eliminate the pests had been unsuccessful. In short, I can say they are everywhere in Mbare now. We fear that this will soon become a citywide outbreak,” said Cllr.…

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Over 83,000 Pregnant Women in Zimbabwe Miss ANC Booking, Threatening PMTCT Goals

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus by 2026 could be in jeopardy as a significant number of pregnant women are still not registering for antenatal care (ANC). Recent data reveals that the country recorded 522,786 pregnancies last year. However, 16% of these women, approximately 83,000, did not register for ANC services, which include HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, and counseling. The country adopted the Triple Elimination Roadmap for the prevention of MTCT of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B…

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#JustIn: Tsikidzi/Bed bugs Outbreak Hit Mbare

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The City of Harare has confirmed an outbreak of bedbugs (tsikidzi) in the high-density suburb of Mbare, prompting authorities to launch an emergency pest control response starting Monday, 7 April 2025. Stanley Gama, the City’s Corporate Communications Manager, said the pest control teams have already been deployed to assess the extent of the infestation and mobilize necessary resources. He urged residents to fully cooperate with the exercise. We have confirmed the existence of a bedbug (tsikidzi) infestation in Mbare, and the City of Harare will immediately take…

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Raped at a Funeral: Chinhoyi Woman Battles Post-Traumatic Mental Health Episodes

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Sometimes she slams doors, shatters furniture, and shouts at anyone nearby. But she wasn’t always like this. Barbra Cullinan (42) of Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, now lives in perpetual fear of men, their presence a constant reminder of the horrific ordeal she endured on November 26, 2022, during the month of her birthday. On that fateful day, Barbra attended a funeral to pay her last respects to a close relative. Unbeknownst to her, a man she knew had sinister intentions. Amid the grief and mourning, he saw an…

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Zimbabwe Secures US$12M ARVs Amid Funding Cuts – Shipment Arrives in June

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere, recently in Chinhoyi With concerns mounting over potential shortages of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) following the United States Government’s funding cuts, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has reassured Zimbabweans that there will be no disruptions in supply. He confirmed that the government has already procured ARVs worth US$12 million, expected to arrive by the end of June. Speaking at a National AIDS Council (NAC) journalists’ workshop in Chinhoyi on Friday, Minister Mombeshora emphasized that the current stock would last until June, with additional procurement ensuring availability…

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Zimbabwe Medical Doctor Launches ColpoPen, An AI Tool To Screen Cervical Cancer

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe continues to lose over 1,000 women to cervical cancer annually, with data showing that an estimated 3,043 women are diagnosed with the disease each year. Despite this grim reality, access to screening services for women in Zimbabwe remains a challenge due to a myriad of factors, including lack of knowledge and awareness, inaccessible health services, the pain and discomfort of pelvic examinations, and societal stigma and discrimination. To boost cervical cancer screening, the government has introduced various interventions, including the use of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA…

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Health Ministry Warns Public Against Nurse Recruitment Scam

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  The Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued a stern warning to the public regarding fraudulent individuals posing as facilitators for nurse recruitment in Zimbabwe. According to the Ministry, scammers are exploiting aspiring nursing candidates by falsely claiming to secure their placements at various hospitals for a fee. The fraudulent scheme is reportedly being orchestrated by individuals using the names “Sister Madya” from the Outpatient Department (OPD) and “Dr. Madyira.” These individuals have been circulating a WhatsApp number (0773815136), alleging that they can assist potential candidates…

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Kubvisa Pamuviri Ikodzero yeutano Kumadzimai

Healthtimes

Ne Munyori Wezvehutano VASIKANA vechidiki pamwe nemadzimai vari kupemberera zvikuru  kuvandudzwa uko kwakaitwa mutemo uri maringe nenyaya dzekubviswa kwepamuviri apo wakanyevenutswa nedare guru reHigh Court kuti vange vachikwanisa kubviswa pamuviri muzvipatara  kana pamuviri pachinge pauya nenzira yechibharo  chemuwanano (marital rape)  uye kuvanasikana vari pasi pemakore 18 ekubererwa kana vachinge vangoita pamuviri zvisinei nekuti vatendererana nemupari wemhosva here kana kuti kwete sezvo  pwere pamutemo dzisingakwanisi kubvuma bonde. Kusandurwa kwemutemo uku kwakavapo nekuda kwemushandirapamwe wesangano remagweta anomiririra madzimai nevanasikana veWomen and Law in Southern Africa Zimbabwe (WLSA), Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (Wcoz),…

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