Month: May 2020

WHO Releases New Guidance For Outdoor Events And Mass Gatherings Amid Pandemic

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As leading countries move towards establishing normalcy, World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines on mass gathering amid the pandemic. SOURCE: THE REPUBLICWORLD.COM As leading countries move towards establishing normalcy, World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines on mass gathering amid the pandemic. The new guidelines, which include suggestions such as holding gathering outside, inviting only healthy people etc, recommend changes to large events and encourage people to do a ‘risk assessment’ before organizing events. This comes as the coronavirus pandemic has infected a total of 6,063,588 and killed 369244 people across…

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How Zim Quarantine Centres Have Become Drivers Of COVID-19 Infections

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CONSIDERING that Zimbabwe’s single most potent Covid19 threat has been from returnees, more effort should have been directed towards containment of the disease from those coming in. This includes a systemic process of testing and monitoring of those returning, and gradual reintegration into their communities. By Munyaradzi Madziwa The same measures being enforced amongst the general populace such as protective masks, sanitising and social distancing should apply to the returnees. Further than that returnees must be monitored daily for clinical signs and symptoms which might signal Covid-19 infection. In my…

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Zim First Lady Appoints TB Champions

Michael Gwarisa

FIRST Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has appointed 21 Tuberculosis (TB) Champions with the aim of raising awareness of matters to do with TB in communities and  grassroots level. By Michael Gwarisa Officiating at the launch, Amai Mnangagwa said the TB champions initiative was among some of the partnerships government  was exploring to improve the country’s health systems. These partnerships should aim to contribute towards improved knowledge and awareness of the 2 related conditions as well as ensuring universal access to high quality services for both conditions. As Health Ambassador I…

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ART Adherence Critical Even During Lockdown- SAfAIDS

Michael Gwarisa

SOUTHERN Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) Sub Regional Head and Country Representative in South Africa,  Mr Ngoni Chibukire says adherence to lifesaving Antiretroviral drugs should be observed religiously despite the ongoing lockdowns. By Michael Gwarisa His calls come at the back of increased reports of cases whereby people living with HIV in most parts of the SADC region have been failing to access their ARVs during the lockdown period. In an interview with HealthTimes, Mr Chibukire said the health needs of PLHIV have not changed because there…

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COVID-19 IN ZIMBABWE: WHERE ARE WE GOING?

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Dr Grant Murewanhema

ZIMBABWE recorded its first case of COVID-19 on 20 March 2020, but until 2 weeks ago we had less than 50 cases. This trend is significantly different from what was observed in Europe, America, the UK and China, which saw exponential increases in infections once they had recorded their first cases. By Dr Grant Murewanhema Others have argued that we have not been testing enough, but the situation on the ground has been very stable. On the clinical side, we have not witnessed a significant spike in clinically suggestive cases,…

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United States Pulls Out Of WHO

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US President Donald Trump has announced that he is “terminating” the country’s relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO), and that the US will redirect funds intended for the agency to other global health projects. During the announcement at a news briefing 29 May, Trump reiterated accusations that the WHO is too lenient with China. Because the United States became a member of the WHO through a joint resolution in 1948, Trump may need Congressional approval to exit the agency, says Jennifer Kates, the director of global health & HIV…

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#JUSTIN: Gvt Names and Shames Quarantine Escapees

Michael Gwarisa

INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana has publicised names of four ladies from Kadoma who escaped from Vuti quarantine facility. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe currently has 149 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amidist indications that majority of cases are coming from quarantine centers. Through his mircro-blogging account, Mr Mangwana said publishing names of escapees would be the norm going forward as a means of bringing absconders to book and ensuring community infections of COVID-19 are contained. Four ladies who live in Kadoma but were coming from Zambia…

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United States Funding To Zim COVID-19 Battle Now Exceeds $8 million

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THE United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed an additional $2 million in health assistance to support the people of Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. HealthTimes Reporter U.S. assistance to Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 response now exceeds US$8 million. USAID has now committed $5 million and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided $3 million. PEPFAR has committed $150,000. The United States remains a long-standing development partner for the people of Zimbabwe. We work tirelessly to ensure that we maintain critical health and…

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#JUSTIN: Nyandoro Leaves ZAN

Michael Gwarisa

THE Zimbabwe AIDS Network board chair, Talent Jumo has announced the departure of the organisation’s National Coordinator Taurai Nyandoro effective May 30, 2020. By Michael Gwarisa In a communique, Jumo said Nyandoro  was now pursuing other career interests. The Board of ZAN would like to inform its members and partners that as from 30 May, 2020, Taurai Nyandoro, the national Coordinator will be transforming from his role as ZAN National Coordinator to pursue other career intrests. “The board of ZAN acknowledges the invaluable role Mr Nyandoro has played in steering…

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COVID-19 To Cause 1.4 Million TB Deaths

Michael Gwarisa

KNCV Tuberculosis (TB) Foundation (KNCV) has  warned of a spike TB deaths over the next five years due to failure to diagnose and treat new cases during the prevailing lockdwons being observed at a global level. By Michael Gwarisa Agnes Gebhard, technical director of KNCV said an estimated 20 percent more TB patients are expected to die between now and 2025 especially in low and middle income countries. Millions of TB patients worldwide are fighting for their lives and now have to cope with COVID-19 as well. Extra support for these…

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