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Gasping for Life: The Deadly Grip of Silicosis on Zimbabwe’s Artisanal Miners

November 23, 2024November 23, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A frail-looking Tinashe Chinove from Masimbaevanhu Village in Shurugwi sits quietly under the shade of a tree, gasping for air. Even from a few yards away, his labored breathing is evident. Each breath he takes is a painful reminder of the relentless toll silicosis has taken on his life. At just 40 years old, Tinashe is battling a disease he contracted in 2022 while blasting and drilling rocks with a jackhammer deep in the artisanal mines. His health has deteriorated drastically, and he admits that he is…

MCAZ Recalls Defective Batch of YAZ Plus Contraceptives Over Quality

November 22, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has announced a Class II recall of a batch of YAZ Plus contraceptive tablets due to a quality defect that could compromise their efficacy and pose risks to patients. The recall affects YAZ PLUS TABLETS, REG. NO.: 2022/21.2.1/6235, BATCH: WEW961J, manufactured by Bayer (Pty) Ltd. South Africa. According to MCAZ, the defective packs contain an incorrect configuration of tablets: 24 light orange hormone-free tablets and 4 pink hormone tablets, instead of the required 24 pink hormone tablets and 4 light…

Conflicting Sugar Tax Figures Spark Debate Over Transparency and Utilization

November 22, 2024November 27, 2024 Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere The implementation of the sugar tax introduced last year by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has raised concerns about the authenticity and transparency of the tax collection figures. In his 2023 budget presentation, Professor Ncube proposed a sugar tax on sweetened beverages, sparking mixed reactions across sectors. Initially set at US$0.002 per gram, the levy faced strong opposition from industry players, who cited potential negative impacts on business viability and job security. As a result, the tax was reduced to US$0.001 per gram in February 2024. Government…

Delta launches campaign against alcohol and substance abuse

November 22, 2024November 25, 2024 Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Delta launches Delta Beverages launched a challenge dubbed ‘Above the influence’ which saw university students compete for top honours for the best innovation. The challenge is a partnership between Delta Beverages, The Boost Fellowship, and University students from 11 Institutions in the country that presented innovative solutions to combat alcohol abuse. The program is backed by a USD$6000 prize fund. Speaking at the event, Delta non-executive director, Emma Fundira highlighted the company’s long-lasting commitment to responsible drinking. “Delta has been involved in promoting responsible alcohol consumption for…

Zimbabwe’s INTEGRATE Program Marks Milestone: Over 150,000 Circumcisions Achieved in HIV Prevention Push

November 21, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Over 150,000 men and boys have undergone circumcision under the INTEGRATE-Catalyzing Integrated Sustainable Subnational HIV Biomedical Prevention Program, an initiative aimed at enhancing decentralized biomedical HIV prevention services in Zimbabwe. The program, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with technical support from Population Services International (PSI) and Population Solutions for Health (PSH), was catalyzed by funding from the Gates Foundation. Launched in November 2020, the INTEGRATE project was designed to run for four years and is set to conclude by the end of…

Zimbabwe’s First Bereavement Suite for Grieving Mothers Opens at Parirenyatwa Hospital

November 20, 2024November 20, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a groundbreaking effort to provide mental health support and comfort to parents grieving the loss of a child at birth, a local mental health organization, Someone Always Listens To You (S.A.L.T), has refurbished and established a grieving room at the Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Wing of Parirenyatwa Hospital. According to Zimbabwean mental health statistics, one in four women may experience mental health challenges related to pregnancy and childbirth. Despite this, mental health services in the country remain severely underdeveloped. Officiating at the handover event for the bereavement…

MSF Secures CAB LA Doses For Zimbabwe and Three Other African Countries

November 18, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has secured a limited supply of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), a groundbreaking HIV prevention medication, following months of negotiations with Viiv, its sole manufacturer. The initial rollout is set to begin later this year in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Eswatini. To prepare for this rollout, MSF conducted a four-day training workshop for clinicians, nurses, and future implementers. The training aimed to build capacity among healthcare workers to effectively administer CAB-LA and integrate it into HIV prevention efforts. Dr. Gerald Hangaika, from MSF’s Mbare…

Cholera Cases Rise To 32 in Kariba Amid Fresh Outbreak

November 17, 2024November 17, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The number of confirmed cholera cases in Kariba has risen to 36, with no new fatalities, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has confirmed. The latest outbreak, which began on November 6, 2024, in the fishing community of Gache Gache, has primarily affected fishermen and villagers who are presenting symptoms of cholera. One death has been recorded since the outbreak began. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Godfrey Muza, the Kariba District Medical Officer under the MoHCC, confirmed that the outbreak remains localized. Cholera cases…

Zimbabwe Considers Cost Recovery Strategy For Family Planning Products

November 17, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amid growing donor fatigue and declining international support, Zimbabwe is pursuing a cost recovery framework for contraceptive commodities to ensure the sustainability and accessibility of reproductive health services. Spearheaded by the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and other partners, this initiative aims to maintain progress in reproductive health despite diminishing external funding. Like many nations dependent on donor contributions, Zimbabwe is seeking strategies to sustain its family planning programs. The proposed cost recovery framework intends…

No New Taxes To Be Introduced Under National Health Insurance

November 17, 2024 Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Funds for Zimbabwe’s soon-to-be-implemented National Health Insurance (NHI) will be drawn from existing taxes and various sectors to minimize the financial burden on citizens, a senior government health economist has revealed. The principles of Zimbabwe’s NHI Fund have been approved by the Cabinet. This fund will pool resources from multiple sources into a single account, which will then finance the essential health services package. Targeted funding sources include local authority contributions, earmarked levies, health bonds, the Assisted Medical Treatment Order (AMTO), state contributions, portions of the War…