Tag: ZIMBABWE

Africa Needs to Strengthen Disease Surveillance and Innovation to Address Re-emerging Infectious Diseases- Dr Nyirenda

Michael Gwarisa

The world is slowly recovering from the ravaging effects of COVID-19 which lasted close to three years before the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that it was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). According to WHO data, globally, as of 2 August 2023, an estimated 6,953,743 COVID-19 deaths and 768,983,095 confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported to WHO. By Michael Gwarisa While the risk of COVID-19 has subsided, and the rest of the world seems to be moving forward, Africa is experiencing a new wave…

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Zimbabwe To Host Belated World Refugee Day Celebrations At Tongogara Refugee Camp

Healthtimes

IN a move to honor the strength and resilience of refugees and displaced people around the world, Zimbabwe will on June 30, 2023, celebrate World Refugee Camp at Tongora Refugee Camp in Chipinge, Manicaland Province By Ntokozo Gudu The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and partners. World Refugee Day is commemorated on June 20 each year and this year’s theme is ‘’Hope Away From Home. A world where refugees are always included.’’ In a press statement, Minister of Public Service, Labour…

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600 adults on Zim’s open heart surgery waiting list

Kuda Pembere

WITH Zimbabwe set to resume its open-heart surgeries on Thursday, there are about 600 adults waiting on the line alongside 4 000 children who are waiting to receive this operation. By Kuda Pembere Speaking with HealthTimes, specialist cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr Simukayi Machawira said every year, about 4 000 children in the country are born having a heart condition. What I can tell is that roughly we have about 600 adult patients on the waiting list. As for children, there are about 4 000 children born with a heart…

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Global Fund Allocates US$63 million To Fight Malaria In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

The Global Fund currently has three active investments in Zimbabwe, including one malaria grant of up to US$63 million. By Michael Gwarisa This funding is allocated for 2021-2023 and supports Zimbabwe’s continued progress toward ending the three diseases as public health threats. The other two grants comprise one HIV grant of up to US$449 million and a tuberculosis (TB) grant of up to US$26 million. According to Global Fund, malaria mortality in Zimbabwe has fallen by 75 percent and malaria incidence by 84 percent over the past two decades. Regarding…

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Measles kills 750 children under five: Amnesty International

Kuda Pembere

MEASLES killed over 750 children under the age of five in Zimbabwe last year, an Amnesty International (AI) report states. By Kuda Pembere  With more than half of the deaths being community deaths mainly from from Manicaland province, the Measles virus spread to other parts of the country killing manly unvaccinated children. The first case was reported in Mutasa District amongst the Apostolic sects. In April, the Ministry of Health and Child Care declared a measles outbreak in Mutasa District in Manicaland province. The virus spread to other areas and…

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Zim activates Marburg Virus Disease preparedness and response teams

Kuda Pembere

As the Marburg Virus Disease spreads across Africa, the Zimbabwean government is strengthening its surveillence systems to track possible movement of the disease at its points of entry. By Staff Reporter In a statement, Health and Child Care Ministry permanent secretary Dr Jasper Chimedza said they have activated preparedness and response teams to be on the watch. “In view of this regional outbreak, the MoHCC has taken steps to strengthen surveillance particularly at the points of entry and activated preparedness and response teams. “If anyone presents with haemorrhagic symptoms and…

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COVID-19 Vaccination Fatigue Hits Zimbabwean Communities

Kuda Pembere

VACCINE Fatigue in Zimbabwe has been attributed to the myths and misconceptions peddled in communities which has resulted in many fearing the vaccine more than the COVID-19 disease. By Kuda Pembere While Zimbabwe is still witnessing some COVID-19 infections, the uptake for vaccines has been less than desirable. Speaking to Journalsts during Science Café organized by the Health Communicators Forum in imbabwe (HCF),  Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) executive chairperson, Ms Maria Chiwera told journalists that lack of information on the disease coupled vaccine hesitancy had slowed down uptake…

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ABSA, Standard Bank agree US$193m funding deal to build new Zimbabwe hospitals

Healthtimes

Zimbabwe is to raise US$193 million in offshore lending to implement a 2019 agreement with UK infrastructure company NMS for the construction of hospitals and clinics in the country. NEWSWIRE ABSA and Standard bank of South Africa are the joint arrangers for the transaction, which will be insured by Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa. The original contract saw NMS building clinics at Stoneridge in Harare and Cowdray Park in Bulawayo. The initial phases of the project, which also include four other hospitals, have been funded by the Zimbabwe…

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One Confirmed And Four Suspected Cholera Deaths Recorded In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

A cholera confirmed death from Bikita District in Masvingo Province and three  suspected Mozambican nationals in Mbire District in Mash Central Province were recorded in Zimbabwe over the past 24 hours. By Michael Gwarisa According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Daily Cholera Situation Report, Results for suspected deaths pending. 15 new suspected cholera cases and 4 laboratory confirmed cases were reported today. These were reported from Mbire (10), and Chimanimani (3) and BeitBridge (2). As of 20 March 2023, 7 cases are hospitalized. These are admitted…

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5.7 percent drop in Zim’s maternal mortality rate between 2000 and 2020

Kuda Pembere

MATERNAL mortality in Zimbabwe has been on the low due to concerted efforts by government, development partners and civil society which has seen it come down from 388 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births in 2000 to 357 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births in 2020. By Kudakwashe Pembere According a joint report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank Group and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA/Population Division) dubbed Trends in…

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