By Staff Reporter
Cimas Health Group will tonight host the inaugural Cimas @80 Media Awards at Cresta Churchill Hotel in Bulawayo, marking a major milestone in the organisation’s 80th anniversary celebrations. The awards, launched in September and supported by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), aim to honour outstanding health journalism that contributes to a well-informed and health-literate society.
The Cimas @80 Media Awards recognise excellence across four key categories: Healthcare Transformation, Health and Wellness, Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Public Health Awareness. These categories reflect areas where journalism plays a critical role in shaping public understanding, influencing health behaviours, and driving national development.
This year’s awards attracted significant attention from both mainstream and independent journalists, with a total of 120 entries submitted by reporters from print, broadcast, digital, and community media. Eligible entries were required to have been published or aired between September 12 and October 31, capturing a wide range of in-depth, ethical, and factual health reporting.
According to the organisers, the overwhelming response demonstrates a renewed interest in health journalism and highlights the media’s commitment to spotlighting pressing issues affecting Zimbabwe’s health sector. The ceremony is expected to bring together leading journalists, editors, health professionals, and stakeholders for an evening dedicated to celebrating quality reporting.
Speaking ahead of the awards, Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vuli Ndlovu, expressed gratitude to journalists for their continued dedication to promoting health literacy and disseminating life-changing information.
As we celebrate 80 years of Cimas Medical Aid Society’s service to the nation, we are honoured to recognise journalists who continue to tell powerful, life-changing health stories,” he said.
“The media plays a vital role in shaping a healthier and more informed society, and the Cimas @80 Media Awards are our way of celebrating excellence and encouraging continued dedication to ethical, accurate, and impactful health reporting.”
Mr Ndlovu noted that the high number of entries reflects not only increased enthusiasm among journalists but also the long-term value of investing in ethical health journalism in Zimbabwe. He said Cimas remains committed to supporting fact-checked journalism and nurturing relationships with the media as part of its broader mission to build healthier communities.
“As journalists, your pens and microphones serve as instruments of change,” he said. “Through accurate and insightful reporting, you help us inspire healthier lifestyles, support health-seeking behaviour, and ensure that health issues are understood, prioritised, and accessible to all.”
The awards are part of a broader series of initiatives by Cimas Health Group to commemorate Cimas Medical Aid Society’s 80th anniversary. Over the decades, the organisation has positioned itself as a key player in supporting national health goals, expanding access to health services, and investing in community wellness programmes.
Cimas has also demonstrated consistent commitment to strengthening health journalism. For the second consecutive year, the organisation partnered with ZUJ to sponsor the Health Reporter of the Year Award at the National Journalism and Media Awards (NJAMA). This partnership underscores Cimas’ efforts to recognise excellence within the media fraternity and promote high standards of health reporting across Zimbabwe.
Media analysts note that such awards are particularly crucial at a time when misinformation and unverified health content continue to circulate widely, especially on digital platforms. By rewarding credible, ethical, and evidence-based reporting, initiatives like the Cimas @80 Media Awards help reinforce the value of professional journalism in safeguarding public health.
Tonight’s ceremony is expected to highlight some of the most impactful health stories produced this year—ranging from investigative pieces on service delivery and public health challenges to innovations in medical technology and stories on mental health, wellness, nutrition, and community health interventions.
The event also provides a networking platform for journalists and health sector players, facilitating dialogue on how the media can better collaborate with experts to improve the flow of reliable information to communities.
As Cimas continues its 80th anniversary commemorations, the organisation says its focus remains on nurturing partnerships that advance national health priorities while empowering journalists to amplify accurate, people-centred narratives.
The winners of the inaugural Cimas @80 Media Awards will be announced tonight, with prizes and certificates set to be handed out to outstanding journalists whose work has demonstrated excellence, ethical conduct, and impact.
