Tag: COVID-19

COVID-19 and clinical distancing

Michael Gwarisa

THE International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) has today described the development of two novel devices, a negative pressure procedural tent and a portable helmet device, as having the potential to protect healthcare workers and transform the care of COVID-19 patients across the globe. The devices were developed by a team of engineering and medical staff at the University of Michigan. Both devices create a negative pressure environment for the wearer, which is essential for severely ill COVID-19 patients as a negative pressure environment prevents the infected…

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Too Much Focus On COVID-19 Pandemic Could Derail HIV Response Gains

Healthtimes

A UNAIDS and World Health Organisation modelling group warns that slackening the HIV Health Service delivery over the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) response could cost about half a million lives in Sub-saharan Africa in the next two years. By HealthTimes Reporter Since 2010, new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa have declined by 43percent, from 250 000 in 2010 to 140 000 in 2018, owing to the high coverage of HIV services for mothers and their children in the region. Curtailment of these services by COVID-19 for six months could…

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#COVID-19: Zim Should Adopt SMART Lockdown Model- Health Policy Expert Warns

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE should desist from copying and pasting other countries’ COVID-19 containment measures and adopt a SMART lockdown model peculiar to the country’s health and economic demands, a top health policy expert has warned. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe instituted its initial lockdown on March 30, 2020 before extending it by another two weeks. President Emmerson Mnangagwa also extended the lockdown by another 14 days  which will be ending in a few days’ time though under much relaxed conditions. However, Zimbabwe has in the past few weeks been accused of replicating South…

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#JUSTIN:Nurses Protest Flexi-Hours Removal, Threaten Strike

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), has shot down government’s decision to scrap the flexible working hours arrangement during the COVID-19 induced lockdown period citing worsened incapacitation amongst a  host of other woes. By Michael Gwarisa The flexi-hours system was implemented early this year to cushion nurses who had gone on a strike owing to poor wages and high costs of living. In a recent letter addressed some public health institutions, all members of staff were immediately required to return to work and resume normal duties. According to government, the flexi…

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#BREAKING: Zim Sitting On A Post COVID-19 Mental Health Time Bomb

Michael Gwarisa
DEPRESSED AFRICAN LADY (pic by Huffington post)

MENTAL health expert and Psychologist, Dr Kudakwashe Muchena has warned of a serious mental health crisis post the COVID-19 induced lockdown at the back of economic and social uncertainties that have been brought about by the prevailing COVID-19 health crisis. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Muchena said Zimbabwe had already been experiencing high suicide and mental health cases before the COVID-19 struck and the prevailing health crisis would likely worsen an already fragile mental health environment. We are sitting on a time-bomb, whilst all the focus…

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#COVID-19: Zim Cargo Truck Drivers Demand Risk Allowance and Health Insurance From Gvt

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Union of Transport Workers of Zimbabwe (NUTWZ) has written to government demanding payment of risk allowances and the setting up of  a special health insurance arrangement for truck drivers ferrying cargo to and from Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 induced national Lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa In a letter addressed to the The Chairperson Covid19 Taskforce in the Office Of The President and Cabinet, NUTWZ, Mr N Gwande said even though the  union appreciates the unenviable work being done by the taskforce to manage the covid19 virus, there was…

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Gvt Criticised For Dumping COVID-19 Expenses On Citizens

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has taken a swipe at government for imposing mandatory testing and wearing of face masks for citizens and employees without putting in place measures to ensure the services are available to citizens at subsidized rates or no cost at all. By Michael Gwarisa A survey conducted by HealthTimes indicates that a COVID-19 test at a private health facility is within the range of US$25 and US$50 per worker whereas in some instances, some facilities are charging between US$60 and US$70 per employee. According…

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Zim COVID-19 Funds Looted

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has raised alarm over the looting of funds meant for combating the COVID-19 disease in the country by government ministries and departments under the guise of domestic allowances. By Michael Gwarisa In a letter addressed to various departments and ministries, Finance and economic development ministry permanent secretary, George Guvamatanga said there  has been an increase in payment runs requesting for processing of domestic allowances narrated as COVID-19 payments during the lockdown period. As you are aware, the pronouncement of the lockdown through statutory Instrument 81 and 82 clearly called…

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CWGH Salutes Zim Front-line Health Workers Fighting COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group On Health (CWGH) has paid tribute to health workers at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle despite Zimbabwe’s health delivery system being in shambles. By Michael Gwarisa In their workers day solidarity day message, CWGH Executive Director Mr Itai Rusike said it was high time government recognizes health workers and pay meaningful and livable wages. This year’s national Worker’s Day theme; “Stop Covid-19 Pandemic: Scale up social protection and dialogue, save jobs and pay a living wage”, befits the current environment which emphasizes stopping the spread…

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STANBIC JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

LEADING financial services institution, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, has put its shoulder on the wheel in the fight against Covid-19 by pledging an assortment of the much-needed equipment worth US$200 000. HealthTimes Reporter The Standard Bank Group subsidiary is geared to donate a total of 5 ventilators; 32 500 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in the form of suits, masks, face shields and goggles; 2 400 PCR tests, 3 000 sanitizer bottles and 2 boreholes which will be drilled in two selected high-density suburbs of Bulawayo and Harare. Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Head…

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