Month: June 2022

Failure To Prioritize Midwives Welfare Leads To Negative Health Outcomes

Healthtimes

The 5th of May was the International Midwives Day. In Zimbabwe there was very little celebration as the midwives are facing numerous challenges, especially around securing living wages. One of the publications in Zimbabwe reported that midwives are wallowing in poverty while they work under very difficult conditions. Midwives in Zimbabwe are facing many challenges which affect their delivery of work. As this is not enough, on the 20th of June, health workers — midwives included — went on a strike, demanding a salary increase. By Edinah Masiyiwa The challenges…

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Information Gaps Hindering Uptake Of Smoke Free Tobacco Alternatives Among Adult Smokers

Michael Gwarisa

THE 7th Edition of the Tobacco Atlas, identified devastating health and economic costs of global tobacco use with indications that In 2019 alone, tobacco use caused more than 8.67 million deaths worldwide (6.53 million men, 2.14 million women) and approximately US $2 trillion in economic damage. Most deaths were attributable to smoking, but 1.3 million died from second hand smoke exposure. By Michael Gwarisa Another worrying trend the tobacco atlas picked was the growing use and smoking of tobacco by the youths. Youth tobacco use (girls and/or boys) increased in…

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Stakeholders Push For National TB In The Workplace Policy

Michael Gwarisa

THE Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, Parliament, the private sector and other key stakeholders have amplified calls to have a national Workplace TB policy which will guide the implementation of TB and wellness programs in the workplace. By Michael Gwarisa in Kwekwe Even though most companies in the private sector have wellness policies in place, TB stakeholders believe a standalone TB policy framework would ensure the diseases is prioritized and given the attention it deserves. Speaking during a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Engagement Meeting that was hosted by the Stop TB…

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South Africa In Breakthrough HIV Treatment For Children

Michael Gwarisa

IN a move that is set improve HIV treatment outcomes in children, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved a new HIV treatment regimen for children that comes in granules that can be sprinkled or dissolved in milk or water. By Staff Reporter The newly registered “sweet-tasting” combination antiretroviral treatment for infants and young children with HIV does not require refrigeration and is likely to address the pill fatigue that is usually associated with the daily intake of Antiretroviral tablets. These new treatment regimens for infants and children…

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Oral Health For Mental Health Patients Manual launched

Patricia Mashiri

Mental and Oral Health professionals have launched an Oral Health for Mental Health Patients Manual as a response to health practitioners request to help improve the oral care of mental health patients in the country. By Patricia Mashiri The manual aims to increase oral and mental health awareness whilst equipping health professionals in the role they play in management of oral health of patients living with mental health conditions . The project is also meant to uphold mental and oral health professionals, abolish oral and mental inequalities and pursuit of…

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Zim Healthcare Workers Temporarily End Strike

Michael Gwarisa

THE Health Apex Council has announced their decision to resume work but vowed to resume the industrial action in 14 days, should the employer, the Health Service Board (HSB) fail to engage the healthcare workers meaningfully. By Staff Reporter Healthcare workers in Zimbabwe had downed tools on Monday 20 June, 2022, leading to a five day long nationwide industrial action which almost crippled the entire healthcare system. The strike was prompted by failure by government to engage healthcare workers and review their salaries which according to healthcare workers, have been…

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Governments announce increased financial support to the global AIDS response

Michael Gwarisa

Geneva, 22 June 2022—Addressing the UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board, governments have begun to pledge new investments to advance the end of AIDS. The United Kingdom and Germany were among those pledging increased resources to support the work of UNAIDS, the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS. The UK will increase funding to UNAIDS to £8 million per year, up from £2.5 million in 2021. The UK emphasised the importance of sufficient, predictable and timely funding towards enabling UNAIDS to deliver on its mandate. Germany will increase its funding to UNAIDS…

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Revamped Online Comprehensive Sexuality Education Teachers Course To Reach More Teachers

Michael Gwarisa

A new look online Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) course for teachers has been launched during a virtual meeting that was attended by governments officials, teachers from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia as well as other stakeholders from across the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. By Michael Gwarisa The CSE Online Course for Teachers is a self-paced online course that provides teachers with access to comprehensive study material developed by CSE experts. Teachers are acquiring adequate knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are critical for effective CSE delivery. This is a way…

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South Africa records its first case of Monkeypox

Healthtimes

South Africa has recorded its first case of Monkeypox in the country. Health Minister Joe Phaahla was briefing the media on Thursday on the repeal of regulations on notifiable medical conditions dealing with the covid-19 pandemic and on monkey-pox. Phaahla says they received a report late on Wednesday from the National Health laboratory Services CEO that they have confirmed through laboratory tests the first case of monkeypox in South Africa. “The patient is a 30-year-old male from Johannesburg who has no travel history, meaning that this cannot be attributed to…

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Novartis announces USD250 million pledge to tackle NTDs and Malaria

Healthtimes

PHARMACEUTICAL manufacturing giant Novartis renews its commitment to ending Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases pledging USD 250 million while endorsing the Kigali Declaration on NTDs made at the Kigali Summit on Malaria and NTDs. Staff Reporter The USD 250 million is a five year financial commitment meant for research and development of new treatments to combat NTDs and Malaria. This summit comes at a pivotal time for world leaders to reaffirm commitments to end neglected tropical diseases and malaria through the adoption of the Kigali Declaration. The declaration aims to mobilize political will…

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