Tag: Family Planning

ZNFPC appoints Machinga as the new CEO

Healthtimes

By Columbus Mavhunga Harare: Farai Machinga is the new substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) having been in an acting role for some time. In a statement, ZNFPC said Machinga took the position since the beginning of this month. Mr Machinga is a distinguished public health specialist with over a decade of extensive experience across various developmental sectors including government, and non-governmental settings,” said ZNFPC. “In his previous role as acting CEO, Mr Machinga led ZNFPC to many outstanding corporate and personal achievements.…

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Zimbabwe and UNFPA Begin Consultations for 9th Country Programme (2027–2031)

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have commenced consultations to develop the 9th Country Programme of Cooperation, which will run from 2027 to 2031. The two-day Stakeholder Engagement Workshop, taking place in Harare from 6 to 7 October 2025, brings together senior government officials, civil society, academia, youth representatives, and development partners to collectively shape the country’s future priorities for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and population dynamics. According to the concept note, the workshop seeks to “collectively…

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Health Resilience Fund Support Enhances Uptake Of Long-Term Family Planning Methods In Matabeleland South

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Gwanda The risk of unplanned pregnancies is very high in the absence of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) Family planning methods. Women in low-resource settings experience interruptions that may increase the risk of unintended and unplanned pregnancies. In most cases, the poorest couples have the highest fertility, the lowest contraceptive use and the highest unmet need for contraception. In Gwanda, Matabeleland South, women such Florence Kungai (31), from Gwanda who in the past experienced two separate occasions of contraceptive failure due to interruptions in her schedule, now…

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Albert Nyathi, Adiona Chidzonga Appointed Family Planning Brand Ambassadors

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Renowned poet and musician Albert Nyathi and Songstress, Adiona Chidzonga, have been re-appointed brand ambassadors for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in a move that is set to boost the uptake of Family planning services in Zimbabwe. Nyathi and Adiona’s contracts will run for one year with the possibility of renewal. Adiona’s role as ZNFPC brand ambassador commenced in 2018 and the council has been renewing it over years. Nyathi’s role involves being a Male Motivator, whose sole mandate is to raise awareness on Family…

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Reducing Unsafe Abortions through Family Planning

Healthtimes

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Background According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), family planning (FP) and comprehensive abortion care are part of primary health care (PHC), and the availability of these services is essential for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). However, lack of access to these services remains a big challenge across the world. Health care providers in many African countries lack the relevant skills and knowledge to provide evidence-based, person-centred and respectful services in these critical areas. Post-abortion family planning (PAFP) is the use of family planning methods immediately…

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The Treble Tragedy in Women’s Health: Unmet Need for FP – Unwanted Pregnancy – Unsafe Abortion

Healthtimes

Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Introduction Women and girls in developing countries face multiple challenges in accessing affordable, quality and comprehensive sexual reproductive health and rights (SRH&R) services. This article explores three key issues that affect women and girls sexual reproductive health outcomes, morbidity and mortality. The “Treble Tragedy” in women’s health, particularly in the developing world are – Unmet Need for Family Planning – Unwanted Pregnancy – Unsafe Abortion. The Primary Health Care (PHC) concept coupled with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) approach are opportunities to ensure universal access to SRH&R…

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Zimbabwe Spends US$17 Million On Family Planning

Michael Gwarisa

LATEST data from the Family Planning (FP2030) report indicates that in 2021, Zimbabwe spent a significant amount of money to support family planning, including commodity purchases, demand creation campaigns, investments in training and research, and service delivery. By Michael Gwarisa Data from the FP2030’s 2022 Measurement Report includes estimates for 59 countries and from amongst these, Zimbabwe is estimated to have spent US$$17,928,498 in 2021 making it one of the countries in East and Southern Africa (ESA) with the highest Family Planning domestic expenditures. From the data presented in the…

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Zim Launches Family Planning Strategy 2022-2026

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe on Friday asserted its Family Planning 2030 commitments among them to ensure a zero unmet need for family planning methods while launching the country’s National Family Planning Strategy 2022-2026 blueprint. By Kudakwashe Pembere Officiating the launch, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga said strategy is anchored on Government seeing family planning and sexual reproduction as key human rights. Today, we reiterate our full commitment to the family planning and contraceptive service programme. While sustaining and consolidating the gains we have made, we are therefore…

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10 Year Olds Booking At Maternity Units In Marondera…As Early Pregnancies Spike

Michael Gwarisa

GIRLS between the ages 10 to 24, have been make a sizable number of antenatal or pregnancy bookings that were recorded at Nyameni and Dombotombo Clinics in Marondera District during the first quarter of the year 2021. By Michael Gwarisa Majority of the cases were coming from farming communities surrounding Marondera while some were being recorded within Marondera urban settings according to data that was shared by the Marondera Municipality at an Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) meeting in Marondera recently. 152 Antenatal Clinic (ANC) bookings were recorded for…

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Gvt, UNFPA Raise Concern Over Widening Contraceptive Gap Due To COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have bemoaned the challenges being faced by women  and girls to access contraceptives and family planning services during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a Virtual Media briefing to commemorate World Population Day which ran under theme, “Putting the brakes on COVID-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now?” Women Affairs Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said the lockdown had made access to critical contraceptives…

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