Nutrition |

New Research Encourages Zimbabweans To Eat Insects To Boost Nutrition

July 3, 2019July 3, 2019 Healthtimes

FINDINGS from a new research by local nutritionists has found high crude protein content in at least three edible insects available in Zimbabwe which could go a long way in alleviating rampart cases of under-nutrition and malnutrition. By Michael Gwarisa The research dubbed “PROTEIN QUALITY OF COMMONLY CONSUMED EDIBLE INSECTS IN ZIMBABWE” was conducted between 2015 and 2017 and authored by Dexter Chagwena a nutritionists in the ministry of health and child care (MoHCC) department, Matanhire GT, Jombo TZ and CC Maponga. Commenting on the findings of the research, Chagwena…

Gvt Urged To Increase Funding Towards Nutrition…As Malnutrition Stalks Zimbabwe

June 21, 2019June 21, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE continues to be trailed by long episodes of malnutrition amidst indications that one in every four children under the age of five years is experiencing malnutrition within their 1000 days from birth up to two years. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing journalists in the capital Harare, Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA) National Coordinator, Kudakwashe Zombe said there was need for government and partners to mobilise domestic financial resources towards supporting nutrition interventions in the country. “We are however deeply concerned that despite progress made in reducing…

Integrated Nutrition And WASH Project Transforms Binga Fortunes

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

NUTRITION is a basic human right and has been identified as the most pertinent and key component in ensuring countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), hence the need for a multisectoral nutrition security approach towards realising nutrition goals for citizens. By Michael Gwarisa in Binga Despite most governments including Zimbabwe having committed to advancing nutrition centered solutions as well as ending malnutrition by the year 2030, more still needs to be done to realise this vision. In Binga, the issue of food insecurity as a result of reoccurring droughts has…

Urgent need to scale-up assistance to drought affected people

April 29, 2019April 29, 2019 Healthtimes

THE United Nations says even though the country was still reeling from the effects of the Cyclone Idai, there was need to increase support in drought hit affected areas around the country. HealthTimes Reporter The UN Zimbabwe team concluded a two-day field visit to UN supported relief efforts and development programmes in two districts in Masvingo Province. The team was led by the UN Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe Mr. Bishow Parajuli together with FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe Mr Alain Onibon, UNDP Resident Representative Mr…

#JUSTIN: Zim Urgently Needs $234M For Food and Humanitarian Aid

March 1, 2019March 1, 2019 Healthtimes

A total of US$234 million is required to urgently address the food and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Zimbabwe where nearly 5.3 million Zimbabweans need assistance up to the month of June 2019. HealthTimes Reporter The call is a response to the rising humanitarian needs in the country due to poor rains and a challenging economic situation. Following a successful three day long humanitarian needs assessment by the UN-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock, the UN in conjunction with the government of Zimbabwe launched a Humanitarian…

Zim Needs Strong Domestic Funding For Nutrition- Civil Society

September 20, 2018 Healthtimes

THE National Coordinator for Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA), Kudwakwashe Zombe says domestic funding towards nutrition in Zimbabwe was still very low, amidst indications that the national budget currently allocates a paltry 0.47% to nutrition. By Michael Gwarisa Governments around the world are expected to allocate at least 15 percent from the national budget to the health sector but Zimbabwe has been struggling to meet the benchmark a situation which has seen the sector turn its begging bowl to the donor community. Briefing delegates during…

2.4 Million Rural Zimbabweans Face Starvation

August 28, 2018August 28, 2018 Healthtimes

By Michael Gwarisa Briefing delegates at the National Nutrition Seminar in Harare, USAD Chief, Office of Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience, Jason Taylor said Zimbabwe has a history of only addressing short term hunger issues but has challenges of providing long term food and nutrition solutions hence the recurring droughts and food shortages. “Rural Zimbabwe is increasingly vulnerable to recurrent s crisis. Just two years ago, the government of Zimbabwe in partnership with the international community, mounted a historic drought response that reached over four million people. It was a…

Breastfeeding At Workplaces: Reality Or Mirage

August 20, 2018August 20, 2018 Healthtimes

THE world over, companies are struggling to implement breastfeeding friendly working environments owing to conflicting interests chief among them being the fear of losing out on productive hours and profits at the expense of breastfeeding. By Michael Gwarisa As a result, most companies have developed a negative attitude towards women of childbearing age with some companies going to the extent of hiring women only on a fixed contract basis just to avoid keeping them around forever. In Kenya however women have come out guns blazing against government and the private…

Kenya To Host Inaugural Africa Nutrition Investor Conference

July 26, 2018 Healthtimes

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) an international organisation founded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and driven by the mission of a world without malnutrition- is hosting the first-ever Nutrition Africa Investor Forum (NAIF) in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 16-17, to invite and engage private sector investors to play a key role in improving nutrition across Africa. The event is hosted in partnership with Royal DSM, a purpose-led global science-based company in nutrition, health and sustainable living recognized for its global fight against malnutrition, the SUN Business Network and African Business…

Zim launches School Health Policy

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has launched a school health policy which will act as a yardstick towards planning and programming for school children’s health activities and the sector at large. By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the launch ceremony, Health and Child Care minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said the policy had come at a time when Zimbabwe needed an education sector specific policy which will scale up disease prevention and programing in schools. “Ill health in schools has been characterised by increasing incidence and prevalence of communicable diseases like HIV infection, tuberculosis, including neglected…