Month: November 2023

Challenging Online Post-Abortion Stigma in Zimbabwe: Advocating for Compassion

Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau Introduction The discourse surrounding abortion remains a contentious and divisive topic worldwide, and Zimbabwe is no exception to the complexities that surround it. Recognising that the decision to undergo an abortion is deeply personal and multifaceted, individuals navigate this choice for various reasons. The subject is often marred by misinformation, disinformation, and pervasive stigma, posing significant hurdles for those seeking safe and reproductive healthcare. The social media space in Zimbabwe has become toxic toward young girls and women who undergo abortions. This editorial delves into the…

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To end the AIDS pandemic, let communities lead

Healthtimes

By Jane Kalweo – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has a fantastic opportunity. It can end the AIDS pandemic by 2030, by letting communities lead. Communities of people living with HIV or at risk of HIV are the drivers of progress in the AIDS response. They connect people to public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor the implementation of policies and services, and hold service providers accountable. For example, in Zimbabwe Community led organisations deliver services to their peers and employ peer led approaches to provide services to the most…

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Health Ministry gets 9 percent of Zim’s 2024 Budget

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Out of a Z$58.2 trillion budget for the year 2024, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube on Thursday alloted to the Health and Child Care Ministry Z$6.3 trillion. Representing a meagre 9.2 percent, this is about 6 percent shy of the Abuja declaration agreed 15 percent which Zimbabwe ratified. Last year the Health Ministry got 11 percent which the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) decried as an uninspiring allotment. Announcing the 2024 Budget, Finance Minister Prof Ncube said Treasury only had Z$58.2 trillion in its purse against…

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Population Solutions for Health launches PREVENT program

Ntokozo Gudu

Population Solutions for Health (PSH), and Populations Service International (PSI) on Monday hosted the Going the Last Mile for HIV Control closeout while launching the PREVENT program meant to protect the gains Zimbabwe has made in the fight against HIV pandemic. By Nthokozo Gudu PSH Executive Director and Managing Trustee, Dr Noah Taruberekera gave remarks and celebrated the successes of the Last mile program. This event is about looking back and celebrating the successes of the US$101 million dollars Last Mile program funded by PEPFAR through USAID. This program was…

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Africa CDC and Mastercard Foundation launch phase 2 of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative to strengthen Africa’s public health systems

Michael Gwarisa

LUSAKA, Zambia, 29 November 2023 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation have entered a new phase of their partnership on the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative in the aftermath of WHO’s declaration of the end of COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency of international concern. The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative, a bold and unprecedented $1.5 billion partnership, was launched in June 2021. This innovative and ground-breaking partnership aimed to purchase COVID-19 vaccines, roll out vaccinations, build the vaccine manufacturing workforce for the continent, and…

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‘January disease’ vaccine revives Goromonzi cattle farmers’ hopes

Kuda Pembere

IT is 11 pm in the scotching sun as cattle jump into Mwanza Diptank in Mwanza Village,Goromonzi district, their usual place for dipping to fight against tickbone disease. Diptanks also known as plunge dips also provide the most effective and efficient method for controlling ticks in animals against ticks, flies, mites, lice and other external parasites. An hour earlier, delegates from United Nations quadripartite agencies of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) alongside…

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Zim’s Veterinary services department to produce anthrax vaccine

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Officials at Zimbabwe’s Department of Veterinary Services Department say they will soon commence the production of an anthrax vaccine. Diseases such as anthrax, and theileriosis usually manifest during the rainy season. Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium. It mainly affects animals. Humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores. Speaking to delegates from, World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Africa CDC and Africa Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) during…

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Primary school pupils in Murehwa join AMR fight

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere recently in Murehwa Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a discipline which many are still trying to understand. It is an area of study that takes several years of study to understand and master. AMR is when antimicrobials cease working in an organism due to overuse or misuse. But this knowledge, is nothing compared to what the delegates from Africa Union and UN agencies namely the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), Africa CDC, and Africa Union InterAfrica Bureau of Animal…

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Africa Warms Up To Single-Dose HPV Vaccine

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following the relaunch of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) programme by GAVI the Vaccine Alliance, in line with the new World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations for a single-dose HPV vaccine, African states are embracing the administering of the one dosage in eligible populations. The developments come amidst indications that GAVI has set an ambitious target to reach 86 million girls with the HPV vaccine by 2025, as immunisation partners outline an ambitious plan to protect millions of girls in lower- and middle-income countries against cervical cancer. Speaking during…

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