130 million African girls and women today married as children

Healthtimes

On the International Day of the African Child, UNICEF calls on African Union member states to accelerate efforts and to increase domestic resources to end child marriage and female genital mutilation Africa is home to 130 million child brides, both girls under the age of 18 who have already married and adult women who were married as children. Today, UNICEF launched continental and regional reports on child marriage and female genital mutilation in Africa. The reports provide updates on the status of these practices and call on governments and regional…

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Letter To The Editor: Mental Health issues among men worrying

Healthtimes

Dear Editor I am writing to express my concern over the issue of suicides among men in our country. These suicides are being taken lightly as most of them are widely shared and discussed on social media where close to no serious deliberations and a call to action is being reached. This year alone, we have received reports of more than 8 men averaging 1 man per month committing suicide because of intimate partner relationship issues or what is being termed crimes of passion. These are only the numbers that…

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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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#BREAKING: Zim Measles Outbreak Spreads Beyond Manicaland, As 80 Die From The Disease

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned that the Measles outbreak has spread beyond Makoni district in Manicaland provinces to other provinces amidst indications of a surge in new infections and deaths over the past days. By Staff Reporter In a statement, the health ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr Jasper Chimedza said the cases were emanating from church gatherings that happened in the recent weeks. The ministry of health and child care wishes to inform the public that the ongoing outbreak of measles which was first reported on…

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Hivos’ Program Expands SRHR Services To Street Children and Vulnerable Groups

Michael Gwarisa

THE Consent2Access Campaign, an advocacy initiative on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) being implemented by Hivos and its partners across Eastern and Southern Africa, has gone a step further by extending services to groups of adolescents and young people that are usually left out in a number of health programs. By Michael Gwarisa The program is being implemented in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of the regional SRH Funds Advocacy campaign aimed at promoting progressive laws, policies and practices that can ensure adolescent and young people access…

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UNFPA Zimbabwe calls for support to ensure young people reach their full potential

Michael Gwarisa

Harare, 12 August, 2022 – On the International Youth Day the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Zimbabwe and partners have called for greater support to ensure young people reach their full potential by making critical investments in their health, education and well-being. By Staff Reporter The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages. In Zimbabwe, adolescents and youth are experiencing adverse life outcomes, including unintended early or teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and school dropouts. Early and teenage pregnancy have major…

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Trading the spanner for Universal Health Coverage…The meteoric rise of Itai Rusike into public health stardom

Michael Gwarisa

To many, he is just an ordinary human being and a health activist with a zeal for health issues. Some call him Wadyegora, a name synonymous with his Moyo or heart totem. Born during the liberation struggle in a place of rich mixed soils in Saruwe or Selous, Itai Josh Rusike’s or Mukoma Josh’s as he is known by many, knew at a tender age that he was destined for greatness on this earth. Over the years, Itai has grown into becoming one of the leading Public Health Voices in…

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Increase in people who inject drugs threatens Zim’s HIV Gains…UNAIDS calls for effective harm reduction programs

Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT was warned that the obtaining spike in illicit drug and substance abuse incidences could trigger a new wave of new HIV infections as drug users were devising new risky means of administering drugs such as injecting drugs which at times involves the sharing of unsterilized needles and sharp objects. By Michael Gwarisa While Zimbabwe has made significant strides towards ending the AIDS epidemic, new data indicates that there has been a surge in new HIV infections especially amongst young girls and women while quite a sizable number could be…

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Mat North and Masvingo Provinces Have Largest Number Of People Practicing Open Defecation

Healthtimes

THE number of households still using the bush as toilets have remained high in Matabelenand North and Masvingo provinces. Staff Reporter According to data from a Housing Characteristics and Living Conditions Survey that has been released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency(ZIMSTAT), 50.0 percent of households in Mat North province still practice open defecation while followed by Masvingo where 35 percent of the households are also using the bush to relieve themselves. Mat South and Midlands province both had 31.5% followed by Mashonaland West which had 23.6 percent, Mashonaland Central…

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Respect welfare of journalists: ZUJ

Healthtimes

The newly elected executive of the Zimbabwe Union of journalist (ZUJ) said lack of the National Employment Council (NEC) for the Media Industry has played a role in impoverishing journalists as well as expose them to abuse by their employers and powerful people. By Staff Reporter ZUJ officer responsible for Training and Welfare of journalists, Zororai Nkomo said journalists  in Zimbabwe are subjected to a harsh and abusive working environment punctuated by poor salaries and harassment. Journalism is a sacred profession, but for many decades our member’s dignity and decorum…

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