Tag: WHO

Experts Rename African Linked Monkeypox Variants To End Stereotypes

Healthtimes

A group of global experts convened by WHO has agreed on new names for monkeypox virus variants, as part of ongoing efforts to align the names of the monkeypox disease, virus and variants—or clades—with current best practices. The experts agreed to name the clades using Roman numerals. By Staff Reporter The monkeypox virus was named upon first discovery in 1958, before current best practices in naming diseases and viruses were adopted. Similarly for the name of the disease it causes. Major variants were identified by the geographic regions where they…

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25 Million Infants Missing Out On Lifesaving Vaccines

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF have sounded the alarm as new data shows global vaccination coverage continued to decline in 2021, with 25 million infants missing out on lifesaving vaccines The largest sustained decline in childhood vaccinations in approximately 30 years has been recorded in official data published today by WHO and UNICEF. The percentage of children who received three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) – a marker for immunization coverage within and across countries – fell 5 percentage points between 2019 and…

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Zim Health Journalists Accomplish Public Health Course

Michael Gwarisa

THE first cohort of Zimbabwean health Journalists have successfully attained certificates in Public Health and Health Communication with one of the country’s leading Public Health training institutions, the Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH). By Michael Gwarisa A total 14 Health Journalists from different media houses, who are also members of the Health Communicators Forum in Zimbabwe (HCF) enrolled for the one week long course and covered an array of modules. Some of the courses covered include,  Introduction to Epidemiology, Health Financing, Health Systems, Human Resources, Primary Health Care Policies…

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Stakeholders Push For National TB In The Workplace Policy

Michael Gwarisa

THE Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, Parliament, the private sector and other key stakeholders have amplified calls to have a national Workplace TB policy which will guide the implementation of TB and wellness programs in the workplace. By Michael Gwarisa in Kwekwe Even though most companies in the private sector have wellness policies in place, TB stakeholders believe a standalone TB policy framework would ensure the diseases is prioritized and given the attention it deserves. Speaking during a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Engagement Meeting that was hosted by the Stop TB…

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WHO highlights urgent need to transform mental health and mental health care

Healthtimes

The World Health Organization today released its largest review of world mental health since the turn of the century. The detailed work provides a blueprint for governments, academics, health professionals, civil society and others with an ambition to support the world in transforming mental health. By Staff Reporter In 2019, nearly a billion people – including 14% of the world’s adolescents – were living with a mental disorder. Suicide accounted for more than 1 in 100 deaths and 58% of suicides occurred before age 50. Mental disorders are the leading…

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World Health Assembly re-elects Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to second term as WHO Director-General

Michael Gwarisa

WHO Member States today re-elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to serve a second five-year term as Director-General of the world’s leading public health agency. Dr Tedros was first elected in 2017. Staff Reporter His re-election was confirmed during the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva. He was the sole candidate. Today’s vote was the culmination of an election process that began in April 2021 when Member States were invited to submit proposals for candidates for the post of Director-General. The WHO Executive Board, meeting in January 2022, nominated Dr Tedros…

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WHO working closely with countries responding to monkeypox

Michael Gwarisa

WHO and partners are working to better understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox. The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. The recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries. By Staff Reporter There are about 80 confirmed cases so far, and 50 pending investigations. More cases are likely to be reported as surveillance expands. WHO is working with the affected countries and…

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Mozambique confirms wild poliovirus case

Michael Gwarisa

Health authorities in Mozambique today declared an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 after confirming that a child in the country’s north-eastern Tete province had contracted the disease. This marks the second imported case of wild poliovirus in southern Africa this year, following an outbreak in Malawi in mid-February. By Staff Reporter  So far, one case in Mozambique – the country’s first since 1992 – has been detected. The virus was found in a child who began experiencing onset of paralysis in late March. Genomic sequencing analysis indicates that the…

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Promoting mental health in the workplace in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

Harare, Zimbabwe – On average, every working Zimbabwean spends one third of their life at work. This is a lot of time employees are exposed to work-related stresses. Moreover, the COVID- 19 pandemic exacerbated the risk of Mental Health (MH) conditions and aggravated pre-existing ones. Yet, aspects that affect job performance, such as psychological wellbeing, remain largely unaddressed at the workplace. Most companies have very limited MH and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services offered in the workplace. By Tatenda Chimbwanda Since, employees do not have the basic skills to screen themselves,…

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#BREAKING: Measles Outbreak Hits Zimbabwe’s Mutasa District, 20 Deaths Recorded To Date

Michael Gwarisa

MUTASA district in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe, is facing a measles outbreak, amidst indications that more than 100 cases and 20 deaths have already been recorded since the outbreak was first reported last month, The HealthTimes can reveal. By Michael Gwarisa The Measles Outbreak in Mutasa comes hot on the heels of a warning by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) of a brewing perfect storm of conditions for measles outbreaks affecting children. In an interview, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Permanent…

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