Category: Health News

Over 20 Zimbabwean MPs Appointed Into Global Parliamentary Platform on HIV and AIDS

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa A new Global Parliamentary Platform on HIV and AIDS has been established at the ongoing International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany in a bid to build momentum to end AIDS ahead of the 2030 target. The new platform is set to provide the space, tools, and other resources to unite, strengthen, and amplify the leadership of parliamentarians committed to ending AIDS and new HIV transmissions. From Zimbabwe, over 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) mainly from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care led by Hon…

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UN urges Gilead to ‘make history’ with game-changing HIV drug

Healthtimes

Gilead could bring the AIDS pandemic towards an end if the US pharmaceutical giant opens up access to its game-changing new HIV drug, the head of UNAIDS told AFP. Winnie Byanyima urged Gilead to “make history” by allowing generic manufacturing of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV patients. She urged Gilead to open up Lenacapavir to the UN-backed Medicines Patent Pool international organisation, whereby cheaper generic versions could be sold under licence in low- and middle-income nations. Whatever the financial rewards of creating Lenacapavir, the renown of being…

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Higherlife Foundation boosts Zim maternal and neonatal health

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Envisioning improved health outcomes, philanthropic arm Higherlife Foundation (HLF) has donated maternal and neonatal health equipment worth US$240 000 to three central hospitals in Zimbabwe. Receiving the equipment were Sally Mugabe Hospital, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital. Higherlife Foundation Country Director Mr Philani Nyatsanza said the organisation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Government of Zimbabwe to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the country. “Since 2020, Higherlife Foundation has grown our focus and efforts in maternal health by training doctors…

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Results Based Financing USD Component Returns Under Health Resilience Fund

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Health Resilience Fund (HRF) is working on reviving the the United States Dollar (USD) component for the Results Based Financing (RBF) which had been halted in 2022 with US$5million already earmarked for disbursement across health facilities in Zimbabwe. This was said by UNICEF Health Systems Strengthening Health Manager, Mr Norest Hama recently at an HRF media briefing recently. The RBF is a financial facility allocated for covering other operational expenses. In the first quarter of 2022, there was an arrangement that saw government take up the…

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“Ending AIDS is impossible if we do not prioritize children” – EGPAF

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter MUNICH, GERMANY – 22 July 2024 – The UNAIDS Global Report, “The Urgency of Now: AIDS at a Crossroads,” released today, says “ending AIDS as a public health threat is achievable by 2030 but that success is being threatened by pushes to reduce funding and to restrict human rights.” Challenges faced by children living with HIV are among the most significant threats to progress. “The report clearly shows that truly ending AIDS is impossible if we do not prioritize children,” said Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)…

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Dr Agnes Mahomva Appointed to WHO Afro’s Emergencies Technical Advisory Group

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s Public Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva together with 16 other African health leaders have been appointed to the African Region, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa Emergency Preparedness & Response Technical Advisory Group (EPR-TAG). The independent body serves as the principal advisory group to WHO AFRO for strategic guidance on all matters pertaining to public health emergency preparedness and response. The EPR Technical Advisory Group will support WHO African Member States to fortify health security in the face of…

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US announces additional US$39 million food assistance for Zim

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With Zimbabwe reeling from the effects of the El-Nino induced drought amidst a looming lean season, the United States Government has announced a US$39 million additional support to the country. The US$39 million is part of a US$62 million assistance package extended to Zimbabwe by the US Government. This was said by the new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont at a press conference in Harare on Thursday. “But El Nino and its drought effects have made this a harder year to farm than usual. That is…

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US Government to hold talks with Zim for sustainable condom programming funding

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The United States Government will hold talks with the Zimbabwean Government pending the withdrawal of condom programming support via the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2026. Public sector condoms in Zimbabwe are mainly funded via PEPFAR which occupies the majority of the market share at 77 percent followed by social marketing condoms with 22 percent and the private sector having 1 percent. While condom programming remaining a core component of the five UNAIDS preventive pillars, the new US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont at…

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Zim’s Health Ministry moots National Public Health Institute

Michael Gwarisa

By Kuda Pembere Efforts are underway to establish a National Public Health Institute (NPHI) for Zimbabwe to help avert and manage epidemics and pandemics in the country, a senior government official said on Friday. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said this while addressing the Health development partners’ coordination forum meeting. Furthermore, the ministry is in the process of establishing a national institute for public health to assist government in the prevention and control of pandemics,” he said. The NHPI, he said, is being established with support from…

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Visa disaster looming ahead of International AIDS Conference in Munich

Michael Gwarisa

Delays in visa processing at German embassies put the participation of people from countries of the global South and of people from vulnerable communities in jeopardy. Deutsche Aidshilfe is now calling for political action. The conference of the International AIDS Society IAS is the world’s largest congress on scientific, socio-political and civic aspects of HIV. More than 15,000 scientists, doctors, other health care professionals and activists from over 175 countries are expected to attend #AIDS2024 in Munich from July 22 to 26, 2024. However, several activists have been reporting that…

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