Day: February 11, 2020

Researchers Not Giving Up On Imbokodo HIV Vaccine Study

Healthtimes

PERSISTENT researchers feel the halted HTVN 702 study on the efficacy of an HIV vaccine will not affect the Imbokodo Vaccine Trial study launched in 2017. By Kudakwashe Pembere HVTN  702 study was stopped following an interim analysis conducted on 23 January 2020 by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) that reviews all data regularly to ensure the safety of participants and determine if the study should continue. The DSMB assessment concluded that the experimental vaccine regimen used in the trial did not prevent HIV infection. The vaccine…

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Shortened DR TB Treatment Offers Ray Of Hope For TB Patients

Michael Gwarisa

A Study by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) shows long-term effectiveness for shortened DR-TB treatment regimen up to 24 months after treatment completion Results from a Union-led observational study (1) published in The Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine, show that a nine-month shortened treatment regimen for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) delivered to patients under programmatic conditions maintains a good level of effectiveness up to 24 months after completion. Until now there has been limited data on the long-term effectiveness of this treatment regimen after completion. The study reports on…

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WFP Scales Up Post-Harvest Season Food Assistance

Michael Gwarisa
WFP Country Rep Eddie Rowe

THE World Food Program (WFP) says it is already ramping up food aid for both rural and urban citizens beyond the harvest season amidst indications of an impending poor harvest at the back poor rains and a prolonged dry spell which characterised the early stages of the 2019-2020 agricultural season. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes on the side-lines of the handover of a US$200 000 food assistance facility for Tongoragara refugees, WFP Country Representative, Mr Eddie Rowe said they started preparing for the post-harvest period back in…

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Floods Hit Binga, Families Trapped

Michael Gwarisa

BINGA District, in Matabeleland North Province, Nsungwale Area under Chief Sinakoma has been hit by floods leaving several families stranded. HealthTimes Correspondent The flooding occurred where four rivers meet namely; Sibwambwa, Sikanda, Namapande and Manyenyengwa. “Due to the heavy backlash, all the 21 families in the flood plain are marooned and 11 others are being assisted to reach safer zones. The Rapid Assessment by the District Civil Protection Com-mittee indicates that there could be more people affected considering the general settlement patterns in Binga District. “As an immediate intervention; the…

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