National AIDS Council, City Fathers Hold Indaba to Tackle Emerging Vices Driving HIV Risk

By Michael Gwarisa in Mazowe The National AIDS Council convened a one day sensitisation indaba with councillors from the City of Harare in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central, as part of efforts to strengthen the HIV and AIDS response amid emerging social and health challenges. The meeting brought together city fathers, government officials and health stakeholders to deliberate on issues increasingly complicating the HIV response, including non communicable diseases, drug and substance abuse, and rising new infections among young people and key populations. Officiating at the indaba, the Minister of State for…

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185 Nurses Graduate at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital

By Kuda Pembere Two hundred and ten nurses graduated at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital on Friday, specializing in various disciplines that include General Nursing, Midwifery, Pediatric Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing (ICN), and Operating Theatre Nursing (OTN). Of these, 114 were general nurses, 55 midwives, 14 pediatric nurses, 14 intensive care nurses, and 13 operating theatre nurses. Officiating at the ceremony, Higher Life Foundation Country Director Philani Nyatsanza said the partnership between the foundation and the hospital began in 2021 to strengthen maternal and neonatal health services. “We believe that the…

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Zimbabwe Excels in Global Health Security Assessment on Immunization, Surveillance, Labs, and Emergency Response

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe received a fifty-four percent score in the second Joint External Evaluation (JEE), performing strongly in laboratory systems, surveillance, emergency response, and immunization indicators. This was revealed by Dr. Mohammed Ali Mohammed, the lead of the visiting JEE team, which spent five days in the country. So in summary you can see that thirty out of fifty-six indicators, which is fifty-four percent, attained level three and above, which indicates developed capacity,” he said. “So for this one we can commend Zimbabwe that at least we have attained…

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City of Harare Health Insurance Officially Launched

By Michael Gwarisa Harare health insurance has taken a major step forward with the launch of the Community Health Equity Fund (CHEF), aimed at improving access to healthcare and reducing reliance on out-of-pocket payments. The scheme, supported by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ZB Financial Holdings, and Harare Municipal Medical Aid Society (HHMAS), will see residents pay a once-off registration fee of US$1 and an annual subscription fee of US$2. The pilot will run in the Southern District of Harare, beginning…

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Harare’s Expanding Sex Work Industry Amid Service Disruptions: A Public Health Time Bomb for Zimbabwe

By Michael Gwarisa In 2024, Theresa*, a 23-year-old from Chitungwiza, turned to sex work not by choice, but out of necessity. Zimbabwe’s faltering economy had left few opportunities for young women like her. What began as a means to survive quickly became a dangerous gamble with her health and safety. “At times, I risk and have unprotected sex,” she admits. “You either agree to it or you lose the client. The market is flooded now, and it’s survival of the fittest.” When she entered the industry, Theresa did not anticipate…

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