Health News |

Adequate ARVs available, says Govt

October 6, 2017 Healthtimes

Joyce Mukucha Herald Reporter ZIMBABWE has enough anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to cover a 12-month period, Government has said. In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said drug shortages that had plagued areas such as Manicaland were as a result of “delayed shipments”. Patients, Government said, continue to receive free ARVs at their designated health facilities. “As a ministry, we would like to reassure all the people, who are currently on ART (anti-retroviral therapy) that the nation has sufficient stocks of the medicines, which are available for free at our…

Malaria Kills 436 Since January

October 5, 2017 Healthtimes

Malaria has claimed 436 lives since January 2017 with the highest cases being recorded in Mashonaland Central and Mash East provinces. According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care weekly disease surveillance report , 3 402 malaria cases and 2 deaths were reported during the week ending 24 September 2017. “The deaths were reported from Guruve district in Mashonaland Central province (1) and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe district of Mashonaland East province (1). Of the reported cases 532 (15.6%) and no deaths were from the under five of age. “The…

Zimplats Introduces Mental Health Initiative

October 5, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa LEADING Platinum producer ZimPlats has successfully integrated mental health management as part of its wellness programme aimed at managing the effects of stress and a host of other psychosocial ills among its employees. Briefing a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) CEO’s breakfast meeting, Zimplats Chief Executive Mr Alex Mhembere said they had come with mental health initiative for their employees and the company would invest more towards the initiative. “Safety performance has got a direct impact on operational and financial performance of an organisation. Studies in USA (National…

SAZ To Launch HIV and Wellness Standard

October 4, 2017October 5, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa THE Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) says it will soon be launching an HIV and Wellness Standard in a move to boost the quality of HIV and wellness policies within organizations. In an Interview with HealthTimes, SAZ Director General, Dr Eve Gadzikwa said they had already launched nine standards on traditional medicines and called on companies to ensure they adopt the forthcoming HIV and Wellness standard so as to improve working conditions for their workforce. ““Firstly I wish to advise you that this standard is still undergoing development…

Medical Aid companies rank 2nd on Zim’s Customer Satisfaction Index

October 4, 2017October 4, 2017 Healthtimes

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe’s medical aid sector performed well above the national customer satisfaction index of 70, 2 percent ranking second with 78, 7 percent after the hospitality sector. This was a finding from a research report for the National Customer Satisfaction Index 2017 done by Select Research and the Contact Centre Association of Zimbabwe. Companies looked at in the medical aid society sector included First Mutual, Generation Health, Fidelity Life Medical Aid Society, Liberty Health, CIMAS, Heritage PSMAS. Speaking at the launch of the index report, Select managing director…

NAC HIV/Cancer Golf Tournament Kicks Off On High Note

October 3, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa THE National Aids Council fund raising HIV & Cancer Prevention Drive Golf tournament kicked today amidst calls by government for men to partner women in the fight against Cervical cancer. In an interview with Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister Abigail Damasane on the sidelines of the tournament, she said it was crucial for women to also participate in sporting activities which traditionally used to be male dominated. “Even if we are to back to the bible, dating itself was always a men’s world. In the sphere of…

CWGH Releases Position Paper On 2018 Budget For Health

October 2, 2017 Healthtimes

HealthTimes Reporter The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has released its proposed position paper regards the 2018 Budget for health requirements. Amongst other things, CWGH implored government to allocate at least 15% of the National Budget to health care in line with the Abuja Declaration target. “Empirical evidence has shown that a 1% increase in public spending on health care reduces child and maternal mortality rates while improving life expectancy. “To boost public spending on health without undermining fiscal sustainability government must explore a number of options for innovative…

Harare Now an Ancient City…As Harare Tops In Typhoid Cases

September 29, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa THE city of Harare now resembles an ancient town as it lacks the characteristics and requisites of a modern day city due to poor planning and recurrent diarrheal diseases like Typhoid and Cholera which were most prominent during ancient times. Typhoid was first discovered in 1880 in New York City but is also believed to have existed around 430 BC in Greece where it almost wiped out a whole army. Briefing a Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Public Dialogue meeting on Recurrent Outbreak of Typhoid and…

‘Anti Microbial Resistance May Eliminate Zim population in 5 years’

September 28, 2017 Healthtimes

By Kudakwashe Pembere ANTI Microbial resistance could wipe away the entire Zimbabwean population within five years if not acted upon, a health expert has said. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Antimicrobial resistance as Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it. Speaking at the launch of Zimbabwe Action Plan and Situation Analysis reports on AMR in Harare today, Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network – ReAct Africa head Dr. Mirfin Mpundu said AMR is…