BREAKING: REPSSI CEO Noreen Huni Dies

Kudakwashe Pembere

REGIONAL Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) founding Executive Director and CEO Noreen Huni has died after a three year battle with stomach cancer. The organisagtion was formed to ensure that mental and psychosocial wellbeing for girls, boys and youth becomes standard in East and Southern Africa. The organisation achieves this by facilitating the mainstreaming of psychosocial support (PSS) into services and programs for children and youth through partnering with civil society and government. “Noreen fought a brave battle against cancer of the stomach for the last three years. In her own…

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Power Cuts Threaten Blood Bank Operations

Michael Gwarisa

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ), says it is appealing to the national power utility (ZESA) to at least connect the blood bank to a special power grid so as to ensure blood is maintained at normal temperatures at all times By Michael Gwarisa The development comes amidst indications that the blood bank, which is a critical blood storage facility has not been spared by the prevailing power outages and should the situation continue unabated, the organisation would be forced to dispose and or burn tonnes of blood since…

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133 Maternal Deaths Since January

Kudakwashe Pembere

THERE were 133 maternal deaths in Zimbabwe in the last six months, the Health and Child Care Ministry has said. By Kudakwashe Pembere Seven maternal deaths were reported during the week ending 30 June 2019. The deaths were reported from Mpilo (1) in Bulawayo Province, Parirenyatwa (1), Harare Central Hospital (1), Chitungwiza Central Hospital (1) in Harare Province and Mutare District (3) in Manicaland Province. Director Family Health in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Bernard Madzima said outlined the Ministry’s goal on maternal health. “The aim…

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Lafarge In Revolutionary Breakthrough For Breastfeeding Mothers

Michael Gwarisa

BREASTFEEDING is considered a basic need for every infant of breastfeeding age and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a baby should be exclusively breastfed for up to six months before introducing him/her to complimentary foods until at least the age of two years. By Michael Gwarisa According to nutrition experts, the first 1000 days are the most crucial for an infant’s brain development and this can only be attained through adequate and exclusive breastfeeding. In developing countries however, poverty and its attendant condition, malnutrition, weaken this foundation, leading…

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Health Workers Declare Incapacitation

Kudakwashe Pembere

HEALTH workers have declared incapacitation as of Tuesday owing to prevailing economic challenges in the country. By Kudakwashe Pembere The workers through the Health Apex Council claim their salaries have been eroded by the unpopular fiscal and monetary policies by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube. In a joint notice by the Health Apex and Civil Service Apex Councils, the workers bemoaned the erosion of their salaries. They demanded ZWD4 700 as salary for the lowest paid worker. “The Councils are not asking for an increment but a restoration of the…

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770K People Died of AIDS Globally in 2018

Michael Gwarisa

A total of 770 000 people died of AIDS in 2019 according to latest statistics released in the UNAIDS Global Aids Update today in Eshowe South Africa. By Michael Gwairsa Responding to the statistics, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders said  the annual number of deaths due to AIDS has declined only minimally since 2014 and such a catastrophe could be avoided through timely use of effective diagnostic tools and medicines to treat HIV/AIDS and  prevent most deaths. While an additional 2 million people are reported on antiretroviral therapy (ART), more…

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Prioritise HealthCare, ED Tells Govt

Kudakwashe Pembere

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says it’s high time his Government prioritises the healthcare sector. By Kudakwashe Pembere He said this on Monday while officiating a hand over of medical equipment at NatPharm head offices which was preceded by a tour of the facility. “And as I went round when the specialists were explaining to me, honestly as a government we must give priority to the health sector because it is critically important that our people are healthy. “And when you are not well we should have a health system that should…

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Medicines For Votes: Health Minister Under Fire

Michael Gwarisa

CIVIL society have come out guns blazing against embattled Health and Child Care minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo for abusing state resources to settle personal political deals. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Moyo, a losing ZANU PF 2018 political candidate is in the eye of a storm following a leaked letter between him and the War Veterans leader, Victor Matemadanda where the minister is directing National Pharmaceutical Companies of Zimbabwe (NATPHARM) to release medicines into Lupane health institutions ahead of the Lupane bi-election to be held on August 3, 2019. Speaking to…

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Zim Medical Student Eyes Top Regional Post

Kudakwashe Pembere

A Zimbabwean medical student is in the run up to clinch a much coveted International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) African Regional Director post whose elections will happen in August. By Kudakwashe Pembere Alistair Mukondiwa pursuing a medical degree with the University of Zimbabwe said Zimbabwe’s candidature was recently validated to enter the race. Representing Zimbabwe, Mukondiwa was the Zimbabwe Medical Students Association’s Vice President from September 2017 to September 2018. With Phillip Chigiya being the ZiMSA president during that period, the team managed to host an IFMSA African…

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Zim First Lady To Convene A Males Only Conference On Health And Development

Kudakwashe Pembere

ZIMBABWE’S First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has stressed the importance of male engagement in health and development as they are left out in some programs while at the same time have minimal participation in the issues. By Kudakwashe Pembere She said this at a stakeholder consultation on the strategic framework for engagement of the office of the Frist lady in HIV, Health and Development 2019 to 2023. The framework comes at a time when Mai Mnangagwa was recently elected as the Vice President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for…

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