HIV/AIDS |

Prof Moyo Under Fire Over HIV Comments

October 9, 2017 Healthtimes

HealthTimes Correspondent Higher and Tertiary education minister Professor Jonathan Moyo is under fire from local medical practitioners following his recent Twitter post in which he insinuated that intake of ARVs and other life saving drugs could lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Moyo’s Twitter remarks comes as a response to the ongoing drama within ZANU PF where by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is allegedly being roasted for saying he was poisoned during a Gwanda ZANU PF rally which resulted in him being airlifted to South Africa for urgent medical attention. In a statement, Zimbabwe…

Adequate ARVs available, says Govt

October 6, 2017 Healthtimes

Joyce Mukucha Herald Reporter ZIMBABWE has enough anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to cover a 12-month period, Government has said. In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said drug shortages that had plagued areas such as Manicaland were as a result of “delayed shipments”. Patients, Government said, continue to receive free ARVs at their designated health facilities. “As a ministry, we would like to reassure all the people, who are currently on ART (anti-retroviral therapy) that the nation has sufficient stocks of the medicines, which are available for free at our…

SAZ To Launch HIV and Wellness Standard

October 4, 2017October 5, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa THE Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) says it will soon be launching an HIV and Wellness Standard in a move to boost the quality of HIV and wellness policies within organizations. In an Interview with HealthTimes, SAZ Director General, Dr Eve Gadzikwa said they had already launched nine standards on traditional medicines and called on companies to ensure they adopt the forthcoming HIV and Wellness standard so as to improve working conditions for their workforce. ““Firstly I wish to advise you that this standard is still undergoing development…

NAC HIV/Cancer Golf Tournament Kicks Off On High Note

October 3, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa THE National Aids Council fund raising HIV & Cancer Prevention Drive Golf tournament kicked today amidst calls by government for men to partner women in the fight against Cervical cancer. In an interview with Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Deputy Minister Abigail Damasane on the sidelines of the tournament, she said it was crucial for women to also participate in sporting activities which traditionally used to be male dominated. “Even if we are to back to the bible, dating itself was always a men’s world. In the sphere of…

500 000 Lives In Danger As ARV Crisis Persists In Zimbabwe

September 27, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa NOT less than half a million lives are at risk of developing HIV drug resistance and full blown AIDS or dying if the prevailing shortages of Anti-Retroviral (ARVs) drugs particularly the second line regiment (Abacavir) is not resolved. Speaking at a Joint Press Conference in Capital, the Zimbabwe National Network of People Living with HIV (ZNNP+), Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and the Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme (DOMCCP) have bemoaned the lukewarm pace concern over the slow pace at which the ongoing shortages being resolved.…

The Stages of HIV Infection

September 27, 2017 Healthtimes

Key Points Without treatment with HIV medicines, HIV infection advances in stages, getting worse over time. The three stages of HIV infection are (1) acute HIV infection, (2) chronic HIV infection, and (3) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There is no cure for HIV infection, but HIV medicines (called antiretrovirals or ARVs) can prevent HIV from advancing to AIDS. HIV medicines help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. HIV medicines also reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Without treatment, HIV infection advances in stages, getting worse over time. HIV gradually…

NAC Lunches HIV/Cancer Prevention Golf Tournament 2017

September 26, 2017September 27, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa THE National Aids Council (NAC) has launched an HIV and Cancer Prevention Drive Pro-Am Golf Tournament 2017, which kicks off in the next few days. The move comes at a time Zimbabwe is grappling with a Non Communicable Diseases burden which have become a silent but leading killer to people living with HIV. Speaking during the official launch ceremony last night, Health and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa said the tournament comes at a time when our nation is grappling with a swelling epidemic of non-communicable diseases,…

#BREAKING: New Single Dose ARVs To Be Launched in SA, Kenya

September 24, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa A new high quality HIV treatment therapy and pricing regime which will accelerate availability of first affordable, generic, single-pill HIV treatment regime containing doulutegravir (DTG) will soon be launched in South Africa and Kenya before being distributed to other 90 low income countries around the world. The single-pill HIV treatment will be available to public sector purchasers in at around US$75 per person, per year. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said, “This agreement will improve the quality of life for millions of people living with HIV. “To…

Drug Abuse Driving Child Prostitution In Zim

September 21, 2017September 21, 2017 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwairsa ALCOHOL and substance abuse has been blamed for increased cases of young girls engaging in prostitution/sex work around the country. According to a recent study by Shamwari YemwanaSikana (SYS), a local community based organization that seeks to promote the rights and empowerment of the girl child in the home, school and community, most young girls below the legal age of consenting to sex were falling prey to sex work owing to increased use of drugs like Msombodia, Bronco, Weed among others. “Alcohol abuse is a major driver of…