Category: Health News

Retailers, Mobile Phone Companies Invade Medical Aid Sector

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE Medical Association (ZiMA) secretary-general Dr Shingi Bopoto has raised concern over the increased proliferation of retailers and businesses in the health insurance services territory saying it goes against the ethics and expectations of the sector. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a CWGH hosted Post Budget meeting in Harare, Dr Bopoto said the biggest challenge in the health sector was lack of accountability and proper regulation and as a result, business were diverting their attention to offering medical aid and health insurance services at the expense of registered players. “If…

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Of Rape and HIV Infection, The Plight Of Refugees In Transit

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HAD it not been for the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eunice, (not her real name) could  have been completing  her university  studies this year. By Melody Chikono Fate has somehow found her stuck deep in  Tongogara refugee camp in Chipinge  where she  has not been able to continue with her studies and bright future aspirations are fading by the day. The war has left untold spiritual and physical wounds which can physically be felt  as she narrates her ordeal. The difficulties she experienced on her journey…

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Mnangagwa Can Learn One or Two Things From Paul Kagame

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ZIMBABWE is currently going through a new political dispensation following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe who had ruled the country for 37 years, paving way for former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. By Michael Gwarisa Through out Mugabe’s 37 year rule, Mnanagwa has been his wing man and unarguably his most trusted lieutenant. In the process, he (Mnangagwa) also attracted a bad name tag as a result of the atrocities that were committed by the Mugabe regime. It takes more than just a miracle to correct an image which…

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#BREAKING: Cancer To Be Funded Separately

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GOVERNMENT is in the process of setting up stand alone funding for Cancer in a bid to intensify efforts to combat the scourge of caner related Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which have resulted in loss of lives. By Michael Gwarisa According to statistics, at least 7 000 new cases of cancer are recorded every year in Zimbabwe, resulting in 1 500 deaths. Moreover, 60 percent of these cancers are associated with HIV. Speaking to HealthTimes on the sidelines of the Universal Health Coverage  (UHC) Celebrations, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation…

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Low levels of reporting on sexual violence causing severe health consequences – MSF

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Low levels of awareness about medical impact of sexual violence is causing severe health consequences, the international medical humanitarian organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said today. HealthTimes Reporter Of the 7,400 survivors of sexual violence who received free, confidential medical treatment and psycho-social support from MSF at the Edith Opperman clinic in Mbare, Harare since 2011, only 43 percent sought care within 72 hours for preventive and proactive measures. All of those who sought preventive treatment within the recommended 72 hours were prevented from contracting HIV, STIs…

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MSF Refurbishes Harare Central Hospital’s Psychiatric Unit

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Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) handed over an upgraded state of the art Harare Central Hospital’s Psychiatric Unit. Time taken to complete the Harare Psychiatric Project was two years. By Kudakwashe Pembere This shot in the arm comes at the nick of time when the Harare Psychiatric Hospital was in a deplorable state which demotivated staff. The renovated unit which had a nominal carrying capacity of about 50 patients was expanded to accommodate over 100 of them.was silent about the mentally disturbed patients Speaking at the handover ceremony, MSF…

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2018 Budget A Sign Of Misplaced Priorities- Chimedza

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  GUTU South legislator Dr Paul Chimedza says the 2018 budget as sexy as it might sound is a vivid sign of misplaced priorities by government judging by the budgetary allocations and failure by the budget to meet the 15% Abuja declaration allocation target to the health sector. By Michael Gwarisa The cry comes at the back of a 16% allocation that was made to security ministries of Defense and Home affairs against a flimsy 7.6% the ministry of health got from the national cake. Briefing a  CWGH Post Budget…

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Health Sector Funding Increases By 45% In 2018 Budget

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By Michael Gwarisa  Funding to the health sector has increased by 45%, from $281 million that was allocated in 2017 to $408 million for the 2018 period. Presenting the 2018 National Budget statement, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Hon Patrick Chinamasa said Government is currently implementing high impact measures whose key focus is strengthening service delivery, including primary care and hospital services, with the support of development partners. “In furtherance to improving coverage and quality of public health care services, total health expenditures during 2018 amount to US$729.4 million, with Budget…

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Government Applauds MSF Epworth HIV/TB Project

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By Michael Gwarisa HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa has applauded Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) for putting up a state  Epworth HIV/TB project which is aimed at combating the HIV and Tb epidemics. Speaking during the handover ceremony of the MSF project to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) today (6/12/2017), minister Parirenyatwa said MSF’s efforts in significantly reducing the HIV prevalence and new incidence as well as scaling up of antiretroviral therapy over the years were commendable. “Our government remains committed to creating an enabling…

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Zambia Cancer Hospital Charms Zim Parliamentarians

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By Michael Gwarisa  ZAMBIA’s Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) which was established in July 2007 after a Presidential Declaration for the provision of free treatment of cancer to all Zambian citizens has charmed Zimbabwe which is also battling a huge cancer burden. Briefing a Parliamentary session yesterday, Gokwe Gumunyu legislator, Melania Mahiya applauded Zambia for putting up such a facility as well as prioritising the fight against cancer. “Due to the rapid increase in the number of cancer patients, there has been significant scaling up of capacities and support in cancer…

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