#COVID-19: WHO Warns Of Second Coronavirus Peak

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), has warned of a second peak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) amidst indications that the disease is currently in its first phase of infection the world over. HeanthTimes Reporter Briefing journalists on Monday, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said right now, we are “right in the middle of the first wave, globally.” “We’re still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up,” he added. We need to be also cognizant of the fact that the disease…

Read More

COVID-19 Threatens Access To Obsteric Care

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem says the prevailing COVID-19 global health pandemic was making difficult for some pregnant women to access obstetric care. By Michael Gwarisa In her statement to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula commemorations to be  held tommorow, 23 May 2020, Dr Kanem said the prevailing global pandemic had pushed health systems to limits. Last November, the world convened in Nairobi to celebrate the tremendous gains of the past 25 years in advancing the health and rights of women…

Read More

Cabinet Accedes To Nurses’ Flexi Hours Demands

CABINET has reneged  on its earlier decision to cease the flexi-hour system for nurses approving a new working schedule. By Kuda Pembere This new arrangement gives nurses two weeks at work and two weeks home. Speaking at the 16th Cabinet Decision Matrix media briefing on Thursday, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa acknowledged the deficit of Government nurses in hospitals. Government having disbanded the flexi-hours and taken cognisance of the inadequate number of nurses on the establishment of the Ministry of Health and Child Care to allow…

Read More

#BREAKING: Cimas Announces Cover For COVID-19 Positive Members

CIMAS Medical Aid Society has announced that it will provide any of its members who test positive for COVID-19 with medical aid cover for subsequent treatment and clearance tests at the end of their treatment. By Kuda Pembere The cover, which is subject to the benefit levels provided for in the member’s medical aid package, includes admission to any hospital approved for COVID-19 patients, treatment in an intensive care unit within the hospital, all prescription drugs in and out of hospital and up to three clearance tests, in line with…

Read More

#COVID-19: Zimbabwe Blindly Dealing With COVID-19- ZADHR Report

ZIMBABWE’S COVID-19 management competencies fall far below the expected World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, a report by the Zimbabwe Association for Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has gathered. HealthTimes Reporter According to the ZADHR “4th COVID-19 Monitoring and Advocacy Report: 20 May 2020,” Zimbabwe was not following proper consultation procedures in dealing with the pandemic. ZADHR notes with concern the lack of evidence-based decision making in informing the extension of the national lockdown in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean government has shown a lethargic approach towards conducting widespread PCR diagnostic tests for…

Read More

#COVID-19: The United States Continues to Lead the Global Response to COVID-19 Fact Sheet

THE United States Government (USG) continues to lead the global response against the COVID-19 pandemic amidst indications that they have already set aside and given more than US$10 billion towards fighting the global health crisis. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the U.S. Government has committed more than $900 million in State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) emergency health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance specifically aimed at helping governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fight the pandemic.  This funding, provided by Congress, will save lives by improving…

Read More

#COVID-19: Majority Zim COVID-19 Patients Being Managed From Home…Most Cases Have Mild Symptoms

A number of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe are showing mild symptoms and are being managed from home, newly appointed acting permanent secretary in the ministry of health and child, Dr Gibson Mhlanga has said. By Michael Gwarisa The world over, patients who have mild illness, such as low-grade fever, cough, malaise, rhinorrhoea, sore throat without any warning signs, such as shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, increased respiratory (i.e. sputum or haemoptysis), gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea may not need hospitalization  unless there is concern for rapid clinical deterioration.…

Read More

OP-ED-We Will Not Defeat COVID-19 Without Including Africa In The Global Response

IN much of the global COVID-19 conversation, Africa is barely mentioned. But the risks which the COVID-19 crisis brings are even greater in Africa than elsewhere – and those risks will be compounded if Africa is marginalized in the global response. By Winnie Byanyima and John Nkengasong Beating COVID-19 in Africa, in turn, is essential for beating it worldwide. African leadership and global solidarity are both essential to overcoming the COVID-19 crisis in Africa, and Africa’s citizens demand nothing less. Economic and social determinants of ill-health are strong predictors of…

Read More

#COVID-19: CSOs Caution Gvt To Consider Economic Impact Of Indefinite Lockdown

HEALTH Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have welcomed government’s move to extend the lockdown but warned against instituting measures that could negatively affect the vulnerable and the country’s highly informalised economy. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HalthTimes, Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive director, Mr Itai Rusike said the lockdown extension was a welcome move given the spike in new Covid-19 cases and there was no room for wishful thinking when dealing with a global health pandemic. We need to remain vigilant and fully prepared to deal with…

Read More

Medical Solutions Donates Face Shields To Harare and Bulawayo City Councils

RECENTLY Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) certified medical equipment manufacturer, Medical Solutions Zimbabwe has donated a total of 200 face shields towards the Zimbabwe COVID-19 battle. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes soon after the handover event, Medical Solutions Director, Shepard Chakanza said the 200 face shields would be distributed evenly between the Harare and Bulawayo City councils health departments to advance the fight against the raging COVID-19 pandemic. We went to Wilkins  after we were told by the City of Harare to go and make a donation…

Read More