Category: Health News

Zimbabwe’s Women Miners Face Deadly Risks from Mercury and Hazardous Chemicals

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining (ZAWIMA) has raised alarm over significant health and safety risks in the mining sector, where women are handling hazardous chemicals, such as mercury, without proper training or protective measures. Mercury is a shiny liquid metal that attacks the nervous system. Exposure can result in life-long disability, and is particularly harmful to children. In higher doses, mercury can kill. Its largest use globally is in small-scale gold mining. In Zimbabwe, women’s contact with mercury is highly prevalent in artisanal  mining where…

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ZICHIRE opens Drop-in centre for drug users

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Amidst growing concern over the rise in drug and substances use cases in the country, the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research Project (ZICHIRE), has launched a drop-in centre where youngsters get counselling and treatment. In an interview on the side-lines of the International Men’s Day, ZICHIRE programmes manager Walter Chikanya said the celebrations were done at a time men should be taking a leading role in improved health seeking behaviours. It is very important for men to be having good health-seeking behavior because there are so many…

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2025 National Budget Not Gender Responsive – WCoZ

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has criticized the 2025 National Budget for neglecting the unique health needs of women in Zimbabwe, accusing it of failing to adopt a gender-responsive approach. Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) integrates gender considerations into budgeting processes to ensure that policies, interventions, and resources address the distinct needs of women, men, and gender-diverse individuals. However, the 2025 budget fell short, with allocations failing to prioritize critical issues in women’s health. Data from the budget indicates that Family Health, which includes family planning, sexual and…

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2024 Top 15 Outstanding Health Champions in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

As the year concludes, and as has become our custom, we recognize individuals and organizations whose efforts have advanced access to healthcare in Zimbabwe. Despite challenges such as the exodus of skilled healthcare workers due to poor working conditions, the country’s healthcare sector is still in safe and capable hands of the remaining foot soldiers at the front-line of Zimbabwe’s healthcare. Amid these difficulties, heroes have emerged, tirelessly working to ensure access to quality healthcare services. In 2024, we honor medical professionals, nurses, civil society leaders, and development partners whose…

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Drug Users Call for Affordable Public Rehabilitation Centres

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere, recently in Gweru Persons Who Use and Inject Drugs (PWUID) have urged the government to expedite the establishment of public rehabilitation centres, citing unaffordable costs at private facilities. Currently, there are no state-owned rehab centres, but the government claims to have identified suitable locations across all provinces for future facilities. During a two-day harm reduction workshop organized by SAYWHAT in Gweru, Jonathan, a participant and drug user, posed a question to Chipo Ziweva, the Mental Health Officer from the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Bulawayo Provincial…

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CSOs Engage Parliamentarians in Post-Budget Dialogue on Healthcare Financing

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amidst growing concerns over Zimbabwe’s healthcare funding shortfalls, civil society organizations (CSOs) recently convened a post-budget dialogue with Parliamentary Portfolio Committees on Health, Budget and Finance, Women Affairs, and the Thematic Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event, hosted by Youth Gate, SAfAIDS, and the Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Alliance, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the Ministry of Finance, the National AIDS Council (NAC), and the National Family Planning Council. Speaking during the meeting, Honourable…

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Multi-Stakeholder Meeting Targets Documentation Gaps Blocking Women’s Access to Healthcare

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa To address persistent challenges related to access to documentation and healthcare for women and girls, the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), in collaboration with the Alliance for Community-Based Organizations (ACBOS), hosted a one-day Multi-Stakeholder Engagement meeting in Harare. The meeting convened key stakeholders and community representatives from regions where access to documentation remains a significant hurdle. Women in rural and mining communities, particularly in Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West provinces, face compounded challenges stemming from inadequate access to proper identification documents. These include birth certificates, national…

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Zimbabwe Sex Workers Resort to Baby Socks Amid Condom Shortages In Communities

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Sex workers in Zimbabwe claim they have resorted to using unconventional methods, including baby socks, as contraceptives due to condom shortages in some communities. While the government denies any national shortage, localized supply issues have been reported. These shortages are attributed to several factors, including delayed restocking by health facilities, hoarding by some sex workers, and healthcare workers allegedly misappropriating condoms. Communities such as Epworth, Mutare, Masvingo, Harare, and Seke have been particularly affected, with sex workers raising alarms about the dire situation. Speaking to HealthTimes, Precious…

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Child Marriages in Zimbabwe: Breaking the Chains of Poverty and Lost Potential

Healthtimes

By Edward Makuzva In rural Zimbabwe, child marriage remains a deeply entrenched issue, robbing countless young girls of their education and futures. Despite ongoing efforts to combat this harmful tradition, thousands of girls are still being married off before completing their education. This alarming practice is not just a violation of human rights but also a significant barrier to personal development and national progress. In many Zimbabwean communities, girls as young as 12 are forced into marriage due to economic hardships, societal pressures, or outdated cultural norms. Once married, these…

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Zimbabwe’s Civil Society Pushes for Establishment of One-Stop Centre for Safe Abortion

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Advocates for safe abortion in Zimbabwe, comprising the Health Law Policy Consortium (HLPC) and the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), with support from the Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), are lobbying for the establishment of a One-Stop Centre for safe abortion services. The initiative aims to address obstacles faced by women and girls in accessing abortion services. Currently, abortion in Zimbabwe is permitted under the Termination of Pregnancy Act (Chapter 15:10), enacted in 1977. The Act allows abortion in specific circumstances, including when continuing a pregnancy…

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