Category: Opinion

The National Security Risk of Relying on Foreign Funding for HIV Programs

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The global landscape of humanitarian aid has been increasingly uncertain, particularly in the wake of political changes in key donor countries. A recent example is the shift in U.S. foreign aid policy under President Donald Trump, who signed multiple executive orders that limited funding to international health programs, including HIV/AIDS. These moves have left many countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, scrambling to find alternatives to ensure the continuation of vital healthcare services. Zimbabwe, like many of its neighbors, has found itself in a precarious position, dependent…

Read More

In 2025, Lets Unite In Tackling Gender-Based Violence and Child Marriages In Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

By Edinah Masiyiwa During the final weeks of 2024, two events made me think deeply about gender-based violence and what more we can do in 2025 to address it. The first was a film screening organized by the British Embassy titled India’s Daughter. The film tells the story of Jyoti Singh, a 23-year-old medical student who was brutally assaulted by a group of men on a minibus while returning home from watching a movie. She succumbed to her injuries a few days later. As the film played, the room was…

Read More

Alcon Celebrates One Year of Advancing Eye Care Through its Phaco Development Program in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent. According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from…

Read More

 Youth Urged to Lead the Fight Against Drug and Substance Abuse

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwean youth should take a leading role in combating drug and substance abuse, a Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training official said on Friday. Speaking at the launch of the 14th SAYWHAT Students’ Conference and the “3D – Don’t Drug Your Dreams Away Campaign,” Deputy Director Mr. Osward Mudhunguyo emphasized the critical role of youth in addressing this challenge. Our young people should be at the heart of this battle. As the most affected group, you have a unique and powerful role to play in…

Read More

HRF donates ICT equipment to Public Health Emergency Operation Centre

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Health Resilience Fund (HRF), through one of its implementing partners, the World Health Organization (WHO), has given to the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre some ICT equipment worth US$90 000 for better real-time data collection in the preparedness and response of public health emergencies. Officiating the handover ceremony, Health and Child Care Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze in a speech read on his behalf by Acting Public Health Chief Director Dr Jaensch Mutede said the equipment would go a long away for prompt updates amidst…

Read More

PSH Hosts Chiefs Indaba To Commemorate 16 Days Of Activism Against GBV

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere in Mazowe Population Solutions for Health (PSH) engaged traditional chiefs from some parts of the country on gender-based violence and child marriages issues where it emerged Mashonaland Central ranked highest in the country. The 16 days of Activism against GBV chiefs indaba held in Mazowe was graced by chiefs from Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East as well as the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe His Excellency Per Lindgarde. We welcome this program. As chiefs when it comes to the issue of child marriages, we refer the cases…

Read More

Health Ministry implements Electronic Health Records in all Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe health facilities

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere recently in UMP  The Ministry of Health and Child Care has managed to install and activate for use, the Electronic -Health Records (HER) system in all health facilities in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe district. Mashambanhaka clinic in Uzumba was the first facility in the country to implement the EHR system. Speaking to journalists during a UMP tour to assess the EHR implementation organized by the Health Ministry, the district medical officer Dr Gladman Mubonani said the system reduced the use of eight paper based registers. This is the district which…

Read More

To end AIDS, protect everyone’s human rights – UNAIDS

Healthtimes

By Mr Henry Damisoni The world has made enormous progress in reducing the impact of HIV over the last 15 years. Globally, a total of 30.7 million people—77% of those living with HIV—were on treatment in 2023, up from just 7.7 million in 2010. This has resulted in a dramatic decline in AIDS-related deaths, down by 51% over the same period. In Zimbabwe, 95% of the 1.3 million people living with HIV were on treatment in 2023. Treatment coverage increased by 40% from 55% in 2010. The country surpassed the…

Read More

MCAZ Recalls Defective Batch of YAZ Plus Contraceptives Over Quality

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has announced a Class II recall of a batch of YAZ Plus contraceptive tablets due to a quality defect that could compromise their efficacy and pose risks to patients. The recall affects YAZ PLUS TABLETS, REG. NO.: 2022/21.2.1/6235, BATCH: WEW961J, manufactured by Bayer (Pty) Ltd. South Africa. According to MCAZ, the defective packs contain an incorrect configuration of tablets: 24 light orange hormone-free tablets and 4 pink hormone tablets, instead of the required 24 pink hormone tablets and 4 light…

Read More

2025 Budget Should Prioritise Post Abortion Care

Healthtimes

By Edinah Masiyiwa As the country undergoes the budgeting process for the year 2025, it is time for the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Welfare to prioritise women’s access to maternal health services. The focus especially should be put on comprehensive abortion care guidelines as it greatly contributes to a reduction of maternal mortality. This article will focus on the importance of having a well-funded post-abortion care programme. Zimbabwe has the highest contraception prevalence rate in sub – Saharan Africa but also one of the highest maternal mortality ratios…

Read More