Month: August 2021

Here’s What We Know About C.1.2.—South Africa’s New, Highly Mutated Covid Variant

Healthtimes

SOURCE: FORBES Topline There has been a lot of buzz this past week over a new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa that appears to be more highly mutated than any other variant flagged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant of interest or concern, but still comprises just a small share of the country’s Covid-19 cases and has not been conclusively investigated for how its mutations impact the behavior of the virus. A shot of the vaccine is administered. Getty Images Key Facts The evolution of this…

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HIV Vaccine Trials Discontinued After It Fails To Prevent HIV Infection

Michael Gwarisa

THE HVTN 705/HPX2008 or Imbokodo study, which began in 2017 to test whether the Imbokodo vaccine regimen could prevent women in Sub-Saharfan Africa from getting HIV has been discontinued following indications that the vaccine did not provide sufficient protection against infection. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Johnson & Johnson said data showed the investigational HIV  vaccine regimen did not provide sufficient protection against HIV infection in a population of young women in sub–Saharan Africa at high risk of acquiring HIV even though the investigational vaccine was found to have…

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WHO Mulls Digital Documentation of COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates

Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a guidance document for countries and implementing partners on the technical requirements for issuing digital certificates for vaccination against COVDI-19. By Michael Gwarisa Through their official international Website, WHO said the Digital Documentation of COVID-19 Certificates is being proposed as a mechanism by which a person’s COVID-19-related health data can be digitally documented via an electronic certificate. The certificate can be used in the same way as a paper-based vaccination record/card. That is to provide information to health care providers about the vaccination…

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Summit Care trust suicide prevention campaign starts tomorrow

Healthtimes

SUMMIT Care Trust, Community Based organization will tomorrow start a Suicide Prevention Campaign starting as a way of commemorating the Suicide Prevention month which falls in the month of September. Health Reporter The campaign will held under the theme “You Matter” and will be focusing on four areas which include Community Awareness, Health Awareness, Family Awareness and Education Awareness. Tanatswa Chikaura, Summit Care Trust Mental Health Advocate, said the campaign was crucial as it seeks to open up awareness about suicide and find ways of preventing the cases from rising.…

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New Covid Variant Found in South Africa Has Concerning Mutations

Healthtimes

JOHANNESBURG –  The Delta variant continues to dominate South Africa’s coronavirus infections, but a newly-identified lineage is already said to be circulating in most of our provinces. Professor Barry Schoub says the C.1.2 is still being investigated, and whether it could be more dangerous than other variants of concern, remains to be seen. “It’s a potential variant of interest. It is being investigated very intensively,” he said. “The C.1.2 was first detected in May, it may have been in circulation before, but it was first detected in May in South…

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Pay Presumptive Tax For Smooth Public Health Service Delivery

Healthtimes

PARLIAMENTARIANS have urged small business owners to pay taxes so as to support government’s efforts to deliver quality health services in public health instritutions. By Fadzayi Ndangana Addressing a virtual meeting  on Tax Justice and Gender Responsive Public Services (GRPS) Summit earlier today, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health Dr Ruth Labode said a as country , there is need to pay taxes in order to improve service delivery in our health institutions. When Mthuli proposed the $30 for tax, I was in support because our hospitals must be…

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Zimbabwe Fulfills Pledge, Delivers 20 000 Vaccine Doses To Namibia

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE has handed over a total 20 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine to the government of Namibia to assist the country’s fight against COVID-19. HealthTimes Reporter Zimbabwe also donated hand sanitisers, face masks, reusable surgical gowns, face shields and hand washing shields which were manufactured by local universities and companies as well as medicines manufactured by Zimbabwe pharmaceutical companies. The handover ceremony took place at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Namibia where the Deputy Prime Minister and minister of International relations, Honorable Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah received the donation. Giving…

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MoHHC Launches “Marah,”A Church Vaccination Program

Healthtimes

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has launched a COVID-19 vaccination program for the churches and religious groups dubbed ‘Operation Marah.’ Health Reporter Speaking during the event, Dr John Mangwiro, Deputy Minister Health and Child Care said they are happy that partnership will speed up the attainment of herd immunity and once people are vaccinated the economy will open. Health experts and scientists have all agreed that vaccination is the silver bullet to COVID-19. But is you are vaccinated it does not mean you should stop wearing masks,…

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Mukando Boost For People Living With HIV In Mash Central

Patricia Mashiri

THE Zimbabwe National Network of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+) has improved livelihoods of People Living With HIV (PLHIV) in Mashonaland Central through Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) projects or Mukando. By Patricia Mashiri Through assistance from Troicare, ZNNP+ gave Kushinga group based in Nyakudya village, Masembura in Mashonaland Central  a total of US$150 to build internal savings and lending groups (Mukando) that would empower PLHIV economically. Before disbursing the funds, a feasibility assessment was done which ensured that a strong committee and other enabling modalities were in place.  The…

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COVID-19 Worsens Chronic Poverty In Zimbabwe’s Vulnerable Citizens- Report

Michael Gwarisa

LIMITED social protection vehicles and the absence of social safety nets for some venerable groups has exacerbated already existing inequalities and chronic poverty among Zimbabwe’s vulnerable groups. By Michael Gwarisa A new report, the Zimbabwe’s Second Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2021 indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has  affected government’s  capacity to effectively address chronic poverty (by helping the poor households) as well as the capacity to mitigate the socio-economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the 2019 Labour Force  and  Child  Labour  Survey  (LFCLS),  about  249,000  persons,  which  is …

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