Month: June 2024

Is it seasonal flu, COVID-19 or something else?

Dr Grant Murewanhema

By Dr Grant Murewanhema We are at the peak of our winter in Zimbabwe, and there is a strong bug in circulation. Recent reports of several hospitalised people and deaths attributable to ‘flu’ over the past few weeks have led to some distressed calls. A few weeks ago, our Ministry of Health and Child Care issued a statement, boldly stating that the current ‘bout of flu’ is due to seasonal influenza. However, in Zim, preCOVID-19, people were generally not aware of people dying from ‘flu’. Those living in Western countries…

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AHF Zimbabwe commemorates Day of African Child

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Zimbabwe belatedly commemorated the Day of the African Child at the Village of Hope in Harare educating pupils from various schools in Mabelreign district on the dangers of early sexual encounters and early child marriages. At a time when the country is battling with early child marriages and teenage pregnancies through comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), AHF Zimbabwe Prevention Manager Mr Clever Taderera said the event was themed, “fostering health and education through CSE.” “Today, we have been commemorating a day of the…

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Zimbabwe’s Mhuri/Imuli II and SHASHA Projects Get US$25 Million Jab

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Rusape The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched two projects with a combined value of US$25 Million in a bid to improve the lives of mothers, babies, and young women in Zimbabwe. The two projects, Mhuri Imuli II and the Sexual Health Services program (SHASHA) programs will be implemented over the next five years. The Mhuri/Imuli II is set to expand its geographic coverage and strengthen health services for mothers and babies to five provinces namely Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland South, and Mashonaland…

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PSH commemorates the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Population Solutions for Health (PSH) today joined the world in commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. At an event held at the Embassy of Sweden in Harare, youngsters from high school and some universities alongside other youths were commended for opening up on drug and substance abuse which the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Per Lindgärde finds helpful in reducing further damage caused by this scourge. The commemoration comes at a time when PSH is spearheading a campaign dubbed The Strength…

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HIV Status Disclosure during Dating: The Sisyphean Task Facing Young People Living with HIV In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Chinhoyi For 21-year-old Joseph Mwashipe* from Cherima in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, living with HIV as a young person has presented him with a whole set of challenges.  Even though he is studying towards an engineering program, he feels his dating life is currently weighing him down mentally. “Ukangomuudza chete kuti uri HIV positive zvinobva zvadhakwa (The moment I disclose my HIV positive status, the girl disappears from the picture),” says Joseph. “I don’t know whether I should continue disclosing or not because it seems the more…

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UNICEF Zimbabwe appeals for MICS Survey funds

Kuda Pembere

Only US$500 000 has been raised for Zimbabwe to successfully conduct the seventh round of the Multiple Index Cluster Survey (MICS 2024) with the United Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the technical partner in the production of the survey appealing for more funds to meet the required amount of money. The total budget has been costed to fetch US$2.5 million to be used for supply and procurement, training of enumerators and supervisors as well as the technical preparatory work for field operations. The MICS plays a massive role in the collection of…

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CAB-LA Enjoys High Continuity Rates Among PrEP Users In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The recently introduced long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV prevention has seen more users returning to get the second dose post their first jab, with data showing that the injectable drug has recorded a continuity rate over 90% since roll out in April, 2024. Currently, the Injectable PrEP is being administered in PrEP study sites in Harare, Mature and Bulawayo and is targeting mainly groups at high risk of HIV, namely Female Sex Workers (FSW), Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Men who have Sex with other…

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Calls to remove duty on sunscreen products grow louder

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Calls to remove duty for the production and importation of sunscreen lotions are growing louder by the day at a time when persons living with albinism are having to fork out around US$20 for a tube. A person living with albinism requires four to five tubes per month which add to 125 ml. This emerged during an International Day of Albinism Awareness Day celebrations organized by the Albinism Empowerment Coalition (AEC) held recently in the capital. In an interview, Former Kambuzuma Legislator Willias Madzimure said manufacturers of…

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Stop TB Partnership Sensitizes New Parliamentarians On Tuberculosis Advocacy

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Kadoma IN a bid to capacitate new parliamentarians on advocacy issues regarding Tuberculosis (TB), the Stop TB Partnership in Zimbabwe recently held a one day TB orientation meeting with newly elected members of parliament mainly from the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee (PPC) on health. The orientation meeting follows the holding of the 2023 harmonized elections in Zimbabwe which ushered in new Members of Parliament (MPs) who now hold key positions. Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes on the side-lines of the orientation meeting Kadoma, Honourable Josiah Makumbe…

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#Breaking: Donors About To Pull The Plug On Condom Funding In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa One of the major funders for HIV and AIDS programs in Zimbabwe, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has notified the Zimbabwean government that it will terminate funding for condom programming within the next 30 months, HealthTimes has learnt. Popularly known as Madhimbare mainly because of their blue and white packaging, public sector condoms serve the biggest number of condom users in Zimbabwe especially those at high risk of HIV infection mainly Female Sex Workers (FSW), Artisanal Miners, Truck Drivers among other HIV key…

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