Month: April 2024

Over 30 fake Parirenyatwa Hospital workers nabbed

Kuda Pembere

By Staff Reporter Following the recent apprehension of three fake doctors at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, the health institution has acknowledged the proliferation and subsequent nabbing of individuals posing as Hospital workers. More than 30 health personnel masquerading as employees at the central hospital have been rooted out by their security department since January 2023. The Hospital with a staff complement of around 4000 as well as having about 400 doctors of all levels, says there were criminals who pretended to be employees and nursing tutors. “Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals…

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Zimbabwe Launches Stage 2 of CATALYST Study, Adding Injectable PrEP to HIV Prevention Options for Participants

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Following the delivery of injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) doses, Zimbabwe through the Maximizing Options to Advance Informed Choice for HIV Prevention (MOSAIC) consortium, has launched stage 2 of the CATALYST study, introducing the newly approved injectable PrEP. The study is funded by funded by PEPFER through USAID. The CATALYST study was initially launched in 2023 where two PrEP methods — tenofovir-based oral pills and the dapivirine ring (PrEP ring) — were offered. The CATALYST sites remain the same six sites where stage 1 was conducted. These include…

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Medical Aid Industry Representative Body Optimistic About Zig Currency

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ), the representative body for the medical aid industry in the country, has thrown its weight behind the newly introduced Zimbabwe Gold (Zig). The new endorsement comes in the wake of mixed reactions following the introduction of the currency, with some players in the medical aid industry raising fears around the sustainability and continuity of the Zig currency since it was launched through a Statutory Instrument (Statutory Instrument 60 of 2024), which in most cases has a shorter shelf life.…

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MCAZ to regulate In Vitro Diagnostics

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) intends to introduce regulations governing the registration and use of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) in the country. This follows concerns and reports that there is a proliferation of substandard and counterfeit IVDs in the country. IVDs according to the World Health Organization (WHO) are tests that can detect disease, conditions and infections. In vitro simply means ‘in glass’, meaning these tests are typically conducted in test tubes and similar equipment, as opposed to in vivo tests, which are conducted in…

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‘Financial education, critical component in SRHR’

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Financial education is a vital element often overlooked in sexual reproductive health rights issues for total emancipation of adolescent girls and young women (AGYWs) in Zimbabwe, an Aflatoun International official said on Monday. Aflatoun is a non-profit organization offering social, financial and entrepreneurial education to young people globally. Supported by Education Above All Foundation and six other organizations in Zimbabwe, the organization has been in SRHR projects alongside other projects aimed at empowering youngsters with life skills and financial education. Aflatoun International Chief executive officer Roeland Monasch…

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Communities A Vital Cog In Addressing Severe NCDs In Africa-Dr Benido

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), continue to exert unwarranted pressure on Africa’s healthcare system, with data from the 2022 World Health Organisation (WHO) NCDs progress monitor estimating that between 50 percent and 88 percent of deaths being recorded in seven African countries, mostly small island nations, are due to non-communicable disease. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 calls for all Member States to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third in 2030 through prevention, treatment and promoting mental health and well-being. However, over the years,…

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NDS1 blueprint falls on the collaboration between private sector and Gvt 

Michael Gwarisa

 By Staff Reporter Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer Vulindlela Lester Ndlovu has said the success of the government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) blueprint falls squarely on the private sector working together with the government.  Mr Ndlovu made the remarks on Wednesday addressing guests at the International Business Conference 2024 which is part of the weeklong Zimbabwe International Trade   in Bulawayo.  For the second year running, Cimas Health Group is the platinum sponsor for the ZITF International Business Conference. Our wish list for our industry, consistent with this year’s…

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Climate change and antimicrobial resistance reversing progress in malaria fight: CWGH

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) joining the world in commemorating World Malaria Day has noted with concern how climate change is reversing the gains in controlling malaria cases in Sub-Saharan Africa where children and pregnant women are becoming the most affected. With Zimbabwe being a Sub-Saharan country, malaria killed 29 people from the 15 400 cases that were recorded. Having the highest number of cases in Zimbabwe was Mashonaland Central with 7 561 cases followed by Manicaland with 3 325, and Mashonaland East 1 885…

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Government of Zimbabwe, UNFPA and partners call for greater investment to accelerate progress on the population and development agenda

Michael Gwarisa

By Health Reporter At a High Level Meeting to track progress on implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA), and in light of findings from a global report, the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners today called for greater investment to accelerate progress on the population and development agenda. The year 2024 is a milestone year for the global community as it marks the 30th anniversary of the ICPD. The ICPD conference, held in Cairo in September 1994,…

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NCDs In African Children Put On The Spotlight As Inaugural ICPPA Conference Kicks Off In Tanzania

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania The First International Conference on the PEN-Plus Regional Strategy to Address Severe Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa (ICPPA), has commenced in Tanzania, amidst calls for increased investment towards prevention, research and care for childhood NCDs. The four-day confrence is running from April 23 to  April 25 2024, under the theme, “Prioritising Person-Centered Approach to Chronic and Severe NCDs-Type 1 Diabetes, Sickle Cell Diseases, and Childhood Heart Diseases.” The conference is being hosted by the  Tanzania Ministry of Health in Tanzania and the…

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