Opinion |

After COVID-19, what will Africa look like in 2030 and 2063?

April 16, 2020 Healthtimes

THE COVID-19 pandemic, one of the world’s most significant events, has resulted in cessation of economic activities that will lead to a significant decline in GDP, an unprecedented social disruption, and the loss of millions of jobs. According to estimates by the African Development Bank, the contraction of the region’s economies will cost Sub-Saharan Africa between $35 billion and $100 billion due to an output decline and a steep fall in commodity prices, especially the crash of oil prices. By Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka More fundamentally, the pandemic has brutally exposed…

COVID-19 pandemic bolsters case for technology-based economic resilience

April 16, 2020 Healthtimes

AS the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact globally, the African continent, while less affected, is preparing to undergo its own severe social and economic crisis. As of April 7, over 10,000 cases have been reported across 52 countries in Africa (less than 1% of cases globally). Stefan Nalletamby Yet despite the slow onset, Africa’s fragile health systems will be overwhelmed if the virus continues to spread. To avoid this scenario, governments are implementing contingency measures with striking collateral damage in the form of shops and factories closing, workers being sent home,…

Three Reasons Why The Self-Quarantine Model Won’t Work In Zimbabwe

February 29, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

THE death toll from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has now reached alarming proportions forcing the World Health Orgnasation (WHO) to escalate the of the flue like bug to “Very High” a move that could soon see WHO declaring the disease as a pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa The WHO said it was too early to call the outbreak a pandemic but countries should be “in a phase of preparedness.” A pandemic is when an infectious disease spreads easily from person to person in many parts of the world. To date, the Covic-19…

Open Letter To Minister Obadiah Moyo: Time To Get Serious About Coronavirus

February 26, 2020February 26, 2020 Michael Gwarisa

HONORABLE Minister of Health, Dr Obadiah Moyo. It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter to your esteemed office in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) which has wreaked havoc in China and other parts of the world. Already, more than 2300 lives have been lost in China alone while other deaths have also been recorded in other parts of the world. It is also worrying that the virus is slowly finding its way into Africa. Egypt recorded its first case last week while Algeria have also…

New Public Health User Fees A Threat To Universal Health Coverage

January 15, 2020January 15, 2020 Healthtimes

UNIVERSAL Health Coverage can be summarised in two key terms. These are financial protection and quality service coverage. By Kudakwashe Pembere The new hospital user fees have a lot of detrimental implications to the health and wellbeing of this country. Government’s role is to create a level playing field while more importantly, protecting the citizens. Zimbabwe is a nation exemplary in making commitments towards improving health delivery system yet fulfilling them seems to be something taken lightly. Supposed to have a happy new year were Zimbabweans whose festive spirit was…

Is NAC On Autopilot?

July 3, 2019July 3, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

IT’S been three months since Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo dismissed the whole National Aids Council (NAC) board over its failure to turn around fortunes of the organisation. By Michael Gwarisa Not only is NAC running without a board but the organisation has no substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in place. Currently, Mr Raymond Yekeye the Operations Director has been CEO on an acting capacity for the past six months now. As a news publication, we have made countless efforts to contact the Minster regarding the NAC…

Zimbabwe Needs A Centralised Disaster Communication Plan

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE is yet to heal from the Cyclone Idai wounds and yet another tropical Cyclone dubbed Cyclone Kenneth is headed our way. In March this year, the country was hit by cyclone Idai which left hundreds of people dead, thousands others injured and displaced. The mere thought of another cyclone coming to Zimbabwe right now brings a chilling and horrific reminder of the deaths and horror the people of Chimanani, Chipinge and some parts of Masvingo encountered. However, there is a demon called confusion which is deeply embed in our…

National Clean Up Drive More Than Just A Political Gimmick

April 9, 2019 Healthtimes

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed the first Friday of every month as the national clean-up day. The response to this clarion call has been massive with corporates in particular taking it upon themselves to clean up the dirty and garbage infested streets around the country. Among some of the corporates which have heeded to this call include TelOne, NetOne, Steward Bank, National Blood Services, Old Mutual among a host of others. It has been three months now since the first national clean up kicked off and yet our streets remain littered…

Zim Needs Evidence Informed & Multisectoral National Alcohol policy

March 4, 2019March 4, 2019 Healthtimes

EIGHT years after the drafting of a Zimbabwe national Alcohol policy, nothing has materialised. The Ministry of Health and Child Care National Cancer strategy 2013-17 cited alcohol as a major risk factor for cancer, as a result, the Zimbabwe National Alcohol policy is a key component in the fight against cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases. By Enoch Musungwini Research has shown that alcohol is a risk factor for HIV transmission and the multisectoral efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe should also be supported by effective implementation and monitoring of the…