Category: Op Ed

A special feature section for guest columnists

Abortion and the moral dilemma; the contradictions of policy and practice

Healthtimes

Moral dilemmas are situations in which an individual is faced by two conflicting ethical decisions, none of which overrides the other. Middle ground anti-abortionists reasoning often cite the moral dilemma as the reason why a definitive position on abortion cannot be reached. This article will look at the middle ground challenge of the moral dilemma as it relates to abortion in the context of Zimbabwe. By Memory Pamella Kadau Abortion in perspective An abortion is the early termination of a pregnancy, which can happen spontaneously, as in the case of…

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Addressing Non-communicable diseases (diabetes) in Zimbabwe: Taking the bull by the horns

Healthtimes

According to the World Health Organisation (2021), noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions of long term duration caused by genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The World Health Organisation (2021) estimates that NCDs account for 41 million deaths globally each year which is 71% of all deaths globally and of these 85% occur in low and middle-income countries including Zimbabwe. By Enock Musungwini This opinion piece focuses on diabetes as the NCD of interest particularly type 2 diabetes as it accounts for 92% of all diabetes cases globally. Diabetes is…

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Restrictive Termination Of Pregnancy Laws Won’t Stop Unsafe Abortions

Healthtimes

As part of my work as Executive Director of Women’s Action Group, I have been conducting Value Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) workshops on abortion. Through them, I have interacted with more than 500 young people, policy makers and service providers. It is amazing how each and every one of the participants has an abortion story to tell. This shows the extent to which women are having abortions, and mostly unsafe ones. The fact that women are having unsafe abortions was confirmed by a study by Guttmacher Institute (2016) in…

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“The HIV response is in danger—the promise of ending AIDS is under threat “

Healthtimes

Data just released in the new UNAIDS global AIDS report, In Danger, reveals that the world is not on course to end AIDS by 2030. For Zimbabwe the hard-won progress against HIV is threatened by deteriorating humanitarian situation and the country’s worsening economic circumstances, including currency volatility which are adding to an already difficult situation for Zimbabwe’s 1.3 million people living with HIV. Inequities are widening. Household food insecurity and limited access to hygiene, sanitation and water have a disproportionate impact on people living with HIV. HIV medication should not…

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Failure To Prioritize Midwives Welfare Leads To Negative Health Outcomes

Healthtimes

The 5th of May was the International Midwives Day. In Zimbabwe there was very little celebration as the midwives are facing numerous challenges, especially around securing living wages. One of the publications in Zimbabwe reported that midwives are wallowing in poverty while they work under very difficult conditions. Midwives in Zimbabwe are facing many challenges which affect their delivery of work. As this is not enough, on the 20th of June, health workers — midwives included — went on a strike, demanding a salary increase. By Edinah Masiyiwa The challenges…

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One year into the bold new strategy on HIV/AIDS, it is vital to speed up progress, say UN Member States

Healthtimes

One year after adopting a new Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030, United Nation’s Member States have highlighted the need to work together to speed up progress on implementation. By Ben Phillips In advance of the meeting, the UN Secretary General released a report entitled Tackling inequalities to end the AIDS pandemic on the implementation of the political declaration on HIV/AIDS. The report sets out how inequalities and insufficient investment “leave the world dangerously underprepared to confront the pandemics…

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BLH Zimbabwe: Patience and perseverance are the keys to success, despite the hardships

Healthtimes

  In early June Brave Little Hearts Zimbabwe participated in our National Youth Business Expo, as we are looking at establishing sustainable projects to help empower our communities to attain financial freedom. By Tendai Moyo This is so important because donors are hard to come by, and the financial burden of heart communities is so huge. Our target is to be self-sufficient by 2023 so we can meet every financial need, including surgeries, fees, medications, and hopefully, a community-owned heart centre. As much as we are awaiting government intervention, we…

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Zimbabwe Comprehensive Sexuality Education Implementers Can Ride On the Devolution Wave

Michael Gwarisa

IN 2013, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other development partners under the leadership of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UESCO), initiated a process to develop a regional commitment within the East and Southern Africa region. By Michael Gwarisa In December 2013, the political process to create the commitment was met with success as 20 Member States signed onto the new East and Southern Africa (ESA) Ministerial Commitment. These Governments thus committed themselves to work together for the good of adolescents and young people to deliver comprehensive sexuality…

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Maintaining dignity during menstruation

Healthtimes

Across the region, the unique needs of women and girls are often overlooked – particularly their menstrual health. When a disaster hits, people who menstruate often do not have access to menstrual materials such as menstrual pads and underwear in a context that lacks clean water and waste disposal systems. By Björn Andersson stigma, cultural practices and restrictions placed on people who menstruate further exacerbate an already difficult situation. In every country in the region, we need to remove remaining taboos on menstruation so we can contribute to an inclusive…

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Investing in midwives is crucial for sustainable development

Michael Gwarisa

Midwives save lives. In the last 100 years, we have seen significant advancements and achievements in the age-old profession of bringing life into the world. Yet, in the Asia and the Pacific region alone, there is a staggering shortage of 200,000 midwives. By Björn Andersson This year, as we mark the centennial anniversary of the International Confederation of Midwives, we celebrate the bravery, skills, and compassion of midwives, while calling on governments to commit to increased investments in midwifery across Asia and the Pacific to uphold sexual and reproductive health…

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