By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is among five African countries that have started administering the world’s first all-oral treatment for Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness—a rare but deadly disease that has long affected communities in East and Southern Africa. The development marks a turning point in the fight against this neglected tropical disease, especially in endemic regions like Zimbabwe, where tsetse fly infestations remain a concern. The new drug, Fexinidazole Winthrop, is now being offered free of charge in specialized treatment centres in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia. Its approval…
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They Earn More Money, But Some Migrant Health Workers Say It’s Not Worth It
By Gamuchirai Masiyiwa, GPJ Zimbabwe HARARE, ZIMBABWE — When Tanya moved to Ireland for care work in 2022, she was certain of three things: Her family would join her soon. Her husband would find work. And her children would attend a good school. Initially, her move was smooth. Visas and permits were no problem. But once in Ireland, reality proved harsh for Tanya, a Zimbabwean who asked Global Press Journal to use her middle name for fear of jeopardizing her visa status. The country’s visa restrictions for the general employment…
Read MoreSweden Allocates US$5.8 Million to UNICEF for Child Protection Programmes
IN a move that is set to boost support for child protection programs in Zimbabwe, the government of Sweden has allocated an amount to the tune of US$5.8 Million to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), a UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. By Michael Gwarisa The funding will support different key interventions to protect children against violence, abuse and exploitation. The Swedish funding is part of the child protection fund 3, a multi-donor fund mechanism which is open to all partners entrusted in…
Read MoreOver 700 Obstetric Fistula Repairs Conducted In Zimbabwe Since 2015
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), have since the year 2015 conducted over 700 Obstetric Fistula (OF) repairs in women and girls. By Michael Gwarisa Obstetric fistula is a tear that occurs between the birth canal with the bladder and or rectum that leaves women leaking urine, faeces or both without control. As a result it leads to social rejection, and or subsequent medical complications with infection occurring easily. If not treated in a timely way it also causes…
Read MoreSwitzerland Boost Funding For AIDS, TB and Malaria
THE Swiss government is stepping up support for the fight against infectious diseases by contributing nearly CHF100 million ($102 million) to UN health agencies. By Michael Gwarisa The Federal Council on 21 August 2019 approved a contribution of CHF64 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for the 2020–22 period and a further CHF30 million for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2019–21 period. Speaking to HealthTimes, The Swiss Embassy in Zimbabwe said the Global Fund was one of Switzerland’s…
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