Month: December 2017

Importing ARVs Cheaper For Zim- IP Experts

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IMPORTING Anti-Retro Viral (ARVs) drugs from giant pharmaceutical economies like India is actually cheaper and affordable compared to producing them locally in Zimbabwe, Intellectual Property Rights (IP) Experts have warned. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing an Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicines Media training in the capital, Legal practitioner and IP expert Tapiwanashe Kujinga said given the obsolete machinery and technology housed at local pharmaceutical companies, it was not viable to manufacture ARVs locally. “As you might be aware, Varichem used to manufacture ARVs locally but as time went on,…

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City Of Harare Fires Top Health Execs

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Harare City Council (HCC) yesterday suspended four top officials for awarding themselves “fat cat” salaries above government-imposed caps. Acting town clerk Josephine Ncube, health services director Prosper Chonzi, finance director Tendai Kwenda and human capital director Cainos Chingombe were suspended after a special council meeting yesterday called to receive a report by the Justice George Smith-led tribunal that probed the top officials’ alleged abuse of power. “Senior executives need to be suspended. After that we need the mayor to appoint a new acting town clerk and that person will have…

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Gov To Build New Hospital For Harare

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The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa said plans are at an advanced stage to start the construction of a new hospital at Harare Central Hospital. Dr Parirenyatwa said this in an interview at an end of year party held at Cresta Lodge in Harare today. Own Correspondent “We cannot continuously keep on renovating Harare Hospital, so we have since identified a bigger space within the grounds of the hospital, where we are going to construct a spacious facility,” he said. Dr Parirenyatwa also said the Ministry…

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First Lady In Mpilo,UBH Hospitals Surprise Visit

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The First Lady, Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa today paid yet another surprise visit at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) to get first hand information on the experiences encountered by patients. Just as was the case at Harare Central Hospital a few weeks ago, nurses at Mpilo Hospital were caught unaware and the first to attend to the First Lady asked her many questions and enquired if she money to pay for the service. SOURCE: ZBC Online The attending nurse told the First Lady that there were no cards at the…

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Retailers, Mobile Phone Companies Invade Medical Aid Sector

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ZIMBABWE Medical Association (ZiMA) secretary-general Dr Shingi Bopoto has raised concern over the increased proliferation of retailers and businesses in the health insurance services territory saying it goes against the ethics and expectations of the sector. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a CWGH hosted Post Budget meeting in Harare, Dr Bopoto said the biggest challenge in the health sector was lack of accountability and proper regulation and as a result, business were diverting their attention to offering medical aid and health insurance services at the expense of registered players. “If…

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Of Rape and HIV Infection, The Plight Of Refugees In Transit

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HAD it not been for the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eunice, (not her real name) could  have been completing  her university  studies this year. By Melody Chikono Fate has somehow found her stuck deep in  Tongogara refugee camp in Chipinge  where she  has not been able to continue with her studies and bright future aspirations are fading by the day. The war has left untold spiritual and physical wounds which can physically be felt  as she narrates her ordeal. The difficulties she experienced on her journey…

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Mnangagwa Can Learn One or Two Things From Paul Kagame

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ZIMBABWE is currently going through a new political dispensation following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe who had ruled the country for 37 years, paving way for former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. By Michael Gwarisa Through out Mugabe’s 37 year rule, Mnanagwa has been his wing man and unarguably his most trusted lieutenant. In the process, he (Mnangagwa) also attracted a bad name tag as a result of the atrocities that were committed by the Mugabe regime. It takes more than just a miracle to correct an image which…

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Drug Stock Levels To Go Up- Minister

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DRUG stock levels at all hospitals and health institutions are set to normalise at the back increased efforts to ramp up production at a local level as well as imporved financial support from the $18 million that was realised from air time health levy. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a tour of NATPHARM Pharmaceuticals yesterday, health and child care minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said the ministry had received $18 million from the air time health levy and much of the money would go it procuring essential drugs  for local hospitals…

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#BREAKING: Cancer To Be Funded Separately

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GOVERNMENT is in the process of setting up stand alone funding for Cancer in a bid to intensify efforts to combat the scourge of caner related Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which have resulted in loss of lives. By Michael Gwarisa According to statistics, at least 7 000 new cases of cancer are recorded every year in Zimbabwe, resulting in 1 500 deaths. Moreover, 60 percent of these cancers are associated with HIV. Speaking to HealthTimes on the sidelines of the Universal Health Coverage  (UHC) Celebrations, Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation…

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Low levels of reporting on sexual violence causing severe health consequences – MSF

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Low levels of awareness about medical impact of sexual violence is causing severe health consequences, the international medical humanitarian organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said today. HealthTimes Reporter Of the 7,400 survivors of sexual violence who received free, confidential medical treatment and psycho-social support from MSF at the Edith Opperman clinic in Mbare, Harare since 2011, only 43 percent sought care within 72 hours for preventive and proactive measures. All of those who sought preventive treatment within the recommended 72 hours were prevented from contracting HIV, STIs…

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