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14.9 Excess Deaths Associated With The COVID-19 Pandemic In 2020-2021, Europe, America and South-East Asia Account For Majority Of Deaths

May 9, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with the COVID-19 pandemic (described as “excess mortality”) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 was approximately 14.9 million (range 13.3 million to 16.6 million). “These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO…

Bridge Vaccine Inequity To Boost Population Immunity Against COVID-19 Says Dr Tedros

April 13, 2022 Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says making vaccines available to a wider population increases chances of defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. HealthTimes Reporter Addressing Media Briefing, Dr Tedros said last week, the lowest number of COVID-19 deaths was recorded since the early days of the pandemic. However, emerging variants continue to threaten efforts to eradicate the virus. Some countries are still witnessing serious spikes in cases, which is putting pressure on hospitals. And our ability to monitor trends is compromised as testing has significantly reduced. This…

Zimbabwe Procures 9 Mobile X-Ray Trucks For Door to Door TB Screening

March 25, 2022March 25, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) National Tuberculosis (TB) programme will soon be unveiling a fleet of new Mobile X-Ray vehicles in a move that is set to increase TB case finding and also ensure that those are screened and tested will be linked to care. By Michael Gwarisa The mobile X-Ray vehicles will be distributed across nine provinces in Zimbabwe where they will be conducting targeted screening for active Tuberculosis (TB) among high risk groups, and the program will be spearheaded by the Ministry of health and…

All Hands On Deck To End TB Says Gvt

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Dr Constantino Chiwenga has implored government, civil society and the private sector to unite in the face of a century old disease, Tuberculosis (TB), which continues to cause the highest number of deaths globally every year. By Michael Gwarisa In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director, AIDS and TB Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Charles Sandy at the Walk for TB Campaign that was hosted by the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe in Harare, , he said…

Hospitals and Healthcare Workers Attacked In Ukraine Following Russia’s Invasion

March 14, 2022March 14, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) surveillance system for Attacks on Healthcare (SSA) has documented 31 attacks on healthcare workers by Russian forces, a development that has compromised access to healthcare services for Ukrainian citizens. By Michael Gwarisa A join statement issues by WHO, UNICEF and the UNFPA has called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and resuscitation of normal healthcare operations. Today, we call for an immediate cessation of all attacks on health care in Ukraine. These horrific attacks are killing and causing serious injuries to patients and health workers, destroying…

Suspend Sale of Captured Live Wildlife in Food Markets Warns WHO and Partners

March 8, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agricultural organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have issued a statement condemning the sale of live wild mammals as well as the slaughtering of sickly wild animals as a means to prevent the spread of new SARS-CoV-2 variants between humans and wild animals. By Michael Gwarisa The call follows indications that certain wildlife species have been observed to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in some parts of the world. These species include domestic animals, free-ranging, captive or…

Shot In The Arm for Zimbabwe’s Healthcare Sector

March 2, 2022March 2, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Care (MoHCC) has received a donation of medical equipment from the United Kingdom (UK) government and Northern Ireland and the United Nations (UN) donor agencies, through support from the Japanese government that will improve the management of COVID-19 as well as maternal healthcare services in the country’s healthcare system. Michael Gwarisa Through the US$1.3 million that was mobilized the by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from the Government of Japan, the MoHCC received eight ambulances, anaesthetic machines, operating tables, delivery tables, ICU beds, infusion…

Ukraian’s Medicinal Oxygen Supplies Hits Record Low…Stocks May Run Out Within 24 Hours

February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE deteriorating political situation in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion last week has led to massive depletion of Oxygen stocks, raising fears of a health catastrophe in the midst of the prevailing war. By Michael Gwarisa In a joint statement, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge called for restoration of critical medical supplies to safely reach those who need them, and are working with partners to establish safe transit for shipments through Poland. The oxygen supply…

COVID-19 Triggers Mental Health Disorders In Zim Frontline Doctors

February 28, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE absence of adequate psychosocial support services coupled with discrimination from workmates and society especially for doctors who were working in the COVID-19 frontline exposed medical doctors to numerous mental health challenges at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. By Michael Gwarisa The report was a qualitative study to explore the experiences of medical practitioners responding to COVID-19 in Zimbabwe. Presenting findings from the Health Awareness Report study, Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) Secretary General, Dr Norman Matara said the medical sector was not spared from the…

Sweet News!!! COVID-19 downgrading to an endemic stage

February 11, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE coronavirus pandemic is transitioning into an endemic stage where the virus will be spreading at a slower rate, making it more predictable and manageable within countries, a top World Health Organisation official has said. By Michael Gwarisa The difference between an epidemic and a pandemic isn’t in the severity of the disease, but the degree to which it spreads.A pandemic cuts across international boundaries, as opposed to regional epidemics. Speaking during a virtual press briefing, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization Regional Office for…