Category: Health News

ZimCholera: Public gatherings banned in Mash Central

Kuda Pembere

As Zimbabwe grapples to contain the cholera outbreak, Mashonaland Central has been banned to hold public gatherings. By Kuda Pembere In a memo to all district medical officers in the province, Mash Central provincial medical director Dr Clement Chuma said the measure is meant to stop cholera from spreading to other districts having hit two namely Shamva and Centenary. “The country is currently in cholera outbreak. The outbreak started in Manicaland but it has now spread to other provinces including Mashonaland Central. In Mashonaland Central, we now have cases in…

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Polio Detected in Zimbabwe Sewages

Michael Gwarisa

Health authorities in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe have detected a vaccine-derived Poliovirus type 2 (Cvdpv2) circulating in the sewage system in high-density suburbs of Budiriro, Crowbrough, Mbare, and Mufakose. By Michael Gwarisa According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Vaccine-derived poliovirus is a well-documented strain of poliovirus mutated from the strain originally contained in Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). OPV contains a live, weakened form of poliovirus that replicates in the intestine for a limited period, thereby developing immunity by building up antibodies. In Harare the poliovirus was detected through…

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India police book Mylan Labs for overpricing COVID-19 drug, Remdesivir

Kuda Pembere

Mylan Laboratories, a global pharmaceutical manufacturing company alongside Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been booked on fraud charges after being found by the Economic Offences Wing of Mumbai Police (EOW) inflating prices contrary to the initially agreed prices. By Kuda Pembere According to Indian press reports, the EOW registered a First Information Report (FIR) citing irregularities in the purchase of Remdesivir injections leading to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the contractor, Mylan, who supplied the injections. Mylan Laboratories was awarded the contract to supply 28,000 vials of Remdesivir. The…

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Organization formed to close maternal and neonatal services access gap

Healthtimes

An organization has been established to improve access to maternal and neonatal care for vulnerable women through paying for their maternity registration. By Nthokozo Gudu Mother’s Comfort is a registered Private Voluntary Organization based in Harare, whose aim is to improve the quality life of vulnerable women and their children. The organization’s mandate fulfils its motto, “Nurturing moms to be”. Mother’s comfort also intends to provide newborn babies’ essentials which are required upon delivery. In an interview with Mother’s Comfort Managing Director Nyasha Jose Chirenje expressed concern over how women…

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HIV among the elderly, a unique emerging Public Health Concern in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

Gogo Chiware (78) (Not her real name), lives with her elderly husband in Hatfield, Harare. She has been living with HIV for the past 15 years and she has been on treatment for 13 years now. However, due to her advanced age, she at times forgets to take her Antiretroviral (ARV) medications. By Michael Gwarisa She has a poor support system as her husband who is also living with HIV, is now experiencing dementia and this compounds Gogo Chiware’s woes as there is no one to remind her to take…

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Combating Drug and Substance Abuse among School Children: A Fight for Everyone

Healthtimes

By Olivia Ganya The scourge of drug and substance abuse plagues schools across our nation. Far too many promising young lives are being lost or derailed by the lure of illicit substances. However, there is hope – as a society, we can come together to protect our most vulnerable from facing this threat alone. Drug and substance abuse can have severe consequences on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of school children. It can impede their academic performance, disrupt social relationships, and lead to long-term health problems. Additionally, substance abuse…

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Cimas acquires Highlands Wellness Group

Kuda Pembere

As part of its contributions to control the raging scourge of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe, CIMAS says it recently acquired the Highlands Wellness Group to provide drug abuse related rehabilitation services. By Kuda Pembere With this acquisition, CIMAS will be providing comprehensive coverage for alcohol and drug rehabilitation services to its members. The alarming increase in cases of alcohol and substance abuse in Zimbabwe, particularly during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the urgent need for accessible and effective rehabilitation services. “However, the high costs…

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ICASA To Proceed As Planned…Cholera Outbreak Under Control

Michael Gwarisa

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) says they have identified most cases and initiated patients on Cholera treatment and care, allaying any fears of a full-blown cholera outbreak of the proportions of 2008/09. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has been recording sporadic and isolated cases of Cholera mostly in rural communities and some peri-urban centres over the past few months, raising fears in some circles that the outbreak could derail hosting of the international Conference on AIDS and SITs in Africa (ICASA), slated for December 4 to 9 2023.…

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Zimbabwean Care Workers In The UK Reduced 21st Century Slaves: Report

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwean nationals working in the United Kingdom as carers or caregivers or caregivers are in the top three of workers being subjected to modern day slavery. While in the top three, the southern African country leads other African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and Botswana. By Kudakwashe Pembere This came out in a report dubbed ‘Who Cares? A REVIEW OF REPORTS OF EXPLOITATION IN THE CARE SECTOR by Unseen, a UK organization. Many a Zimbabweans have been migrating to the UK in search for greener pastures particularly in…

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Zimbabwe To Use Dual Prevention Pill That Protects Against HIV Infection and Unintended Pregnancy

Michael Gwarisa

In a bid to widen HIV prevention and contraceptive options for women and girls, Zimbabwe could be adopting a revolutionary Dual Prevention Pill (DPP), in the not so distant future. By Michael Gwarisa The Dual Prevention Pill adds to the list of other Biomedical HIV prevention tools Zimbabwe has adopted over the past few years which include  the Dapivirine Vaginal ring that was adopted in 2021 and the Long-Acting Injectable PrEP that was approved for use in 2022. However, roll-out of these products is yet to commence in Zimbabwe. Speaking…

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