Month: October 2024

Zimbabwe Amongst African Countries With Growing Disabling Hearing Loss Burden

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected an increasing burden in disabling hearing loss in Africa at the back limited capacity to handle hearing loss ailments, an ill-equipped workforce amongst a host of other factors. Data from 43 African countries show that while 36 countries provide EHC services at the tertiary level, similar services are not offered at primary care level. This is despite the fact that the common causes of hearing loss are mostly preventable through simple public health interventions, or measures to mitigate the risk…

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3-Month Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention Demonstrates Superior Drug Release Compared to 1-Month Ring

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter Lima, Peru – The Population Council, an international nonprofit research organization, announced today at HIVR4P 2024, the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference, the results of a phase I open-label randomized crossover relative bioavailability trial (IPM 054). The trial found that a 3-month dapivirine vaginal ring delivers the active antiretroviral drug, dapivirine, at higher levels than the 1-month dapivirine vaginal ring. The trial, conducted among   124 women in South Africa, suggests that the longer-acting ring will be as effective as the 1-month ring, offering a more cost…

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WHO approves first mpox diagnostic test for emergency use, boosting global access

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the first mpox in vitro diagnostic (IVD) under its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) procedure, an important step in improving global access to mpox testing. The approval for emergency use of the Alinity m MPXV assay, manufactured by Abbott Molecular Inc., will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply. Early diagnosis of mpox enables timely treatment and care, and control of the virus. Limited testing capacity…

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Ghana To Host ICASA 2025

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) is delighted to announce that Ghana has been selected as the host country for the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), which will take place in from 3rd to 8th December 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This prestigious event will convene global leaders, community, researchers, advocates, and healthcare professionals to further the continent’s fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, Hepatitis, Malaria, TB, emerging viral infections and strengthening Africa’s Health systems. Since its inception…

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Zimbabwe’s Sibongile Mlambo Appointed as Rotary’s Celebrity Ambassador to Promote Global Health and Peace

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter EVANSTON, Ill., USA (October  6th , 2024) – Rotary International today launched its celebrity ambassador program, welcoming Kat Graham, for many years Rotary’s first ambassador and Archie Panjabi, Rotary’s first ambassador for a polio-free world. Sibongile Mlambo and Gaby Moreno are Rotary’s inaugural members for 2024-2025. Rotary brings together people of action from all continents and cultures who deliver real, long-term solutions to the world’s most persistent issues. Together with its celebrity ambassadors, Rotary aims to engage new leaders and change-makers from around the globe who can…

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WHO adds an HPV vaccine for single-dose use

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter WHO announced that a fourth WHO-prequalified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine product, Cecolin® has been confirmed for use in a single-dose schedule. The decision is made based on new data on the product that fulfilled the criteria set out in the WHO’s 2022 recommendations for alternative, off-label use of HPV vaccines in single-dose schedules. This important milestone will contribute to improving sustainable supply of HPV vaccines—allowing more girls to be reached with the vaccines that prevent cervical cancer. Unlike most other cancers, we have the ability to eliminate…

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Zimbabwe’s HPV Vaccination Coverage Nosedives

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage is failing to recover from the harsh effects of the COVID-19 era with data showing that the country is off-trail and coverage has plummeted to record low levels. Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told this publication on the side-lines of the World Health Day and Expanded Programme on Immunization’s (EPI) golden jubilee commemorations held in Harare on Thursday the pandemic affected school-to-school HPV vaccination campaigns. Yes, there was a drop but this was mainly because of COVID outbreak.…

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Zim’s immunization programmes reduce neonatal mortality by 51 percent

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere Vaccines used for the immunization of children have been credited for saving six lives for every minute Zimbabweans with the country seeing a 51 percent drop in neonatal mortality. This the Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told journalists after World Health Day and Expanded Programme on Immunization’s (EPI) golden jubilee commemorations held in Harare on Thursday. The EPI is still aiming to prevent more preventable diseases where vaccines are available. As you have heard, vaccines have life. Vaccines are having six lives every minute.…

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Zim among top priority lenacapavir recipients as Gilead licenses Hetero

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With Zimbabwe being among the 18 top-priority recipients of lenacapavir an HIV preventive drug pending local medicines regulatory approvals, Gilead Sciences, the principal maker has granted a non-exclusive license to leading India headquartered pharmaceutical manufacturer Hetero Group of Companies to manufacture and supply the drug. Gilead’s decision comes following much advocacy by AVAC to give non-exclusive licenses for the manufacturing of lenapavir. The partnership will broaden access to this novel HIV treatment usable in combination with other antiretrovirals while supporting efforts to prevent HIV through pre-exposure prophylaxis…

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Media A Key Stakeholders In Communicating SDGs Progress

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to localise Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Zimbabwean government through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare through support from the UNDP Zimbabwe office, has embarked on efforts to capacitate local Journalists on reporting on the SDGs. In his opening remarks, Public Service permanent secretary, Mr Simon Masanga said capacitating media was crucial in communicating the SDGs message. The role of media in shaping public discourse and driving engagement around sustainable development issues cannot be overstated,” said Mr Masanga. He added…

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