Month: December 2018

ZIMA Calls For Dialogue… As Senior Doctors Give Gvt 48hr Ultimatum

NewsRoom

MEDICAL consultants who had been filling up gaps left by striking doctors at public health institutions have given government 48 hours to end the the deadlock between government and striking doctors amidst indications that the situation at public hospitals has become untenable. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalist, Zimbabwe Medial Association (ZIMA) Secretary General (SG), Dr Sacrifice Chirisa said they have received a communication from consultants highlighting that the situation was no longer workable. He urged government and the health services board (HSB) to open the door to dialogue  and pave way…

Read More

Gvt’s Response To Doctors Strike Ruthless and Illegal- ZADHR

NewsRoom

GOVERNMENT  and medical practitioners should speedily negotiate and return the health sector to normalcy  so as to to end the unnecessary loss of lives, the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)  has warned. HealthTimes Reporter The call comes hot on the heels of an abrupt suspension of more than 500 junior doctors who commenced a strike which today marks its 27th day citing poor living and working conditions which have been exacerbated by poor remuneration and lack of medicines and hospital equipment. In a statement, ZADHR said it…

Read More

Bleak Christmas: Govt and Junior Doctors Still Gridlocked As Patients Suffer

NewsRoom

IT is a dreary yet bleak Christmas for Zimbabweans as the gridlock between junior doctors and Government is far from over with the former accusing the latter of misinforming the nation. By Kudakwashe Pembere In this ensuing verbal and or textual duel alongside the suspension of these doctors, a grimmer festive season plays out in the country’s major hospitals full of unattended expecting mothers, the sick and4einjured. On Christmas Day, reacting to Health and Childcare Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo’s speech on Monday,  the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association representing junior doctors…

Read More

#BREAKING: Striking Doctors Suspended

NewsRoom

STRIKING medical personnel have been suspended forthwith following defiance of a Labour Court order to report to work by 9am yesterday. By Kudakwashe Pembere The Health Service Board had promised to take punitive measures against the medical professionals on Sunday which manifested itself today in the form of suspension letters. Speaking to Health Times, a former Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association executive member Dr Mxolisi Ngwenya said the doctors, radiographers and other hospital personnel who partook in the industrial action were called to collect their letters of suspension. “We have heard…

Read More

#BREAKING: Doctors Face Disciplinary Action After Defying Court Order

NewsRoom

STRIKING health personnel defied the Labour Court order of showing up at work this morning resulting in the Health Service Board threatening punitive measures as empowered by the court. By Kudakwashe Pembere Addressing journalists on Sunday, HSB Vice President Professor Auxilia Chideme-Mungofa could not reveal the type of action to be taken. It emerged that about 553 doctors went on industrial action since December 1. “Government is accordingly proceeding to institute disciplinary action against all health workers who participated in the unlawful collective job action,” she said. Justices Gladys Mhuri…

Read More

LATEST: Court Orders Doctors To Report For Duty

NewsRoom

Striking doctors are expected to show up for work without delay after the Labour Court on Saturday deemed their downing of tools illegal. By Kudakwashe Pembere With members of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association having spent 21 days not working and demonstrating, delivering the ruling Justice Gladys Mhuri, outlawed the strike. “Having listened to both parties’ submissions, the court found that the collective job action embarked on by the respondents and its members on the first of December 2018 is unlawful. This finding is based on the fact that the…

Read More

UN allocates US3.1m for peace building in Zim

NewsRoom

CHIEF Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda and the UN Resident Coordinator Mr Bishow Parajuli signed a USD 3.15 million agreement allocated by the UN Secretary-General to kick-start Peace Building Fund for Zimbabwe. The Fund is part of the UN Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterres’ initiatives of Peace and Democracy Facility – a mechanism for strengthening coordination and providing a dedicated space to interface between various national stakeholders on peace, reconciliation and governance reforms. At the signing ceremony held today at the Munhumutapa Government Building in Harare,…

Read More

BonVie Launches Electronic Claims Switching Platform

NewsRoom

Zimbabwe’s medical aid scheme BonVie  on Thursday unveiled its electronic claims switching platform which enhances the time taken to process payments.   By Kudakwashe Pembere From the days when processing a claim took 90 days, to 30 days this system takes less than 15 days. The technical partner for this platform is New Health 263 which provides expertise in managing it. Health and Childcare Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo was heartened at the launch of this platform seeing the health industry adopting technology solutions. “This morning we are here to launch…

Read More

POTRAZ To Roll Out Countrywide Telemedicine Project

NewsRoom

THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is set to spearhead a countrywide Telemedicine initiative in a bid to enhance health research and improve access to health services. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking at the launch of the ICT access and use by households and educational institutions reports, POTRAZ Director General, Dr Gift Machengete said the move to spread the Telemedicine project to other parts of the country has been inspired by a Telemedicine project which they successfully piloted in Manicaland Province. “Studies have shown that ICTs have immense…

Read More

MCAZ Registers More Complementary Medicines

NewsRoom

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), in 2017 recorded an increase in the registration of complementary medicines attributable to intensified hype of regulations and enforcement activities.   By Kudakwashe Pembere The regulator’s spokesperson Mr Shingai Gwatidzo in an interview said 69 complementary medicines were approved. “The authority has witnessed an increase in the number of registered Complementary medicines (including those that are locally produced), which resulted from increased awareness about the Complementary Medicines Regulations and increased enforcement activities. This year a total of 69 Complementary medicines were approved or…

Read More