Category: Health News

Zim commences Multidrug resistance TB survey to improve case detection

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe recently began a survey to sasses the burden of Multiple-drug resistance TB in the country amidst the background of low case detection, a Ministry of Health and Child Care Official said. Addressing delegates at an ICASA side event on TB, Zimbabwe’s Health ministry TB/HIV officer Mr Manners Ncube said one of the measures they are implementing to improve case detection, particularly in MDR TB is a survey. And then MDR TB case detections, 35 percent. But when you reference now to the TB in general of…

Read More

East and Southern Africa Region records rise in new HIV infections among older women

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa While progress has been made regarding improving HIV health outcomes for Adolescent Young Women and Girls (AGYW) in the East, Southern African (ESA) region, a worrying trend shows that more new cases are now being recorded among older women aged between 25 to 34 years. HIV data shows that women are the face of HIV on the African continent, with 63 percent of all new infections in the continent being recorded in women and is even more pronounced among adolescent girls and young women. HIV infection rates…

Read More

Governments should take ownership of VMMC programs says AVAC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa To ensure the sustainability of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programs in the face of dwindling donor support and donor fatigue, African governments have been urged to fund and promote VMMC programs. Since VMMC was recommended by WHO and the UNAIDS in 2007 as key to HIV prevention in high prevalence settings, about 35 million men have accessed services across 15 VMMC priority countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. However, since inception, VMMC programs have been largely financed by donors and Multilateral funding agencies amidst indications that…

Read More

Condoms Galore At CONDOMIZE Stand

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to promote safe sex, reduce HIV incidence and break the stigma around condoms, SAYWHAT’s CONDOMIZE campaign is riding on the ongoing ICASA conference to distribute free condoms and raise awareness of the benefits of safe sex. Located in the community hall at the ICASA, the CONDOMIZE stand has become a hive of activity as young people from across genders, disabilities, and backgrounds are getting free condoms as well as demonstrations on the correct and consistent use of condoms. The campaign kicked off in Epworth…

Read More

ICASA Honours Dr Matsidiso Moeti

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) secretariat has awarded the World Health Organisation African Region (WHO-Afro) Director, Dr Matsidio Moeti the prestigious SAA Excellency award. The prize was handed to her during a plenary session at the ongoing International Conference for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted (STIs) in Africa (ICASA) conference running from December 4 to December 9 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). Presenting the award, SAA president, Dr David Parirenyatwa said it was in appreciation for her dedicated years of leadership and a symbol…

Read More

African governments urged to provide sustainable funding for GBV fight

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With donor fatigue looming, African governments should provide enough allocations towards tackling gender-based violence in their countries, a Kenyan sexual reproductive health rights advocate said. This was said by Ms Judie Amina during a HIVOS ICASA side event titled Redefining the Feminist Agenda: Co-creating Solutions to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) in East and Southern Africa. Ms Amina said African governments should adequately fund programs to fight GBV issues in a manner that makes them sustainable. “At the same time there is quiet reliance of…

Read More

All Hands On Deck To Reach Zero Dose Children With Immunisation In Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Despite immunisation being one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions, responsible for preventing over 4 million deaths every year, the African continent is currently lagging behind other world regions in terms of access to vaccines. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, every year, more than 30 million African children under the age of five suffer from Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs); and over half a million die due to limited access to immunisation services. This translates to 58 percent of global deaths from VPDs.…

Read More

Urban residents at high risk of contracting HIV: UN

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere URBAN folk are more susceptible to new HIV infections compared to those in the rural areas due to their high disposable income and greater mobility, a top United Nations Zimbabwe official said. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator His Excellency Edward Kallon said this during the World AIDS Day commemorations in Victoria Falls on Friday. “Contrary to common belief, the greatest risk (of new HIV infection) lies with urban, educated adults in their productive and reproductive years who typically have greater mobility and disposable income. “Reducing risky behavior…

Read More

Africa CDC Establishes Platform To Boost Manufacturing Of Vaccines, Therapeutics and Diagnostics in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Africa Centres for Diseases Control (Africa CDC), has established a new system, the Platform for Harmonised Africa Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHP), that will see the continent coordinating the manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, a top Africa CDC official has said. While the continent has already made inroads regarding local manufacturing of vaccines following the setting of the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing of Vaccines (PAVM) in 2021, which sought to ensure Africa at least manufactures 60 percent of vaccines locall, the PHAHP platform seeks to…

Read More