Vilon Peptide: A Minimalist Bioregulator with Expansive Potential
Vilon, a synthetic dipeptide composed of lysine and glutamic acid (Lys-Glu), has emerged as a molecule of growing interest in the field of bioregulatory peptide research. Despite its minimal structure, Vilon is theorized to exert a wide range of biological supports, particularly in the domains of immunomodulation, gene expression regulation, and cellular aging. Originally developed
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Why Harm Reduction Matters More in Africa
By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ACTA) defines Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) as a public health strategy aimed at lowering the health risks to individuals and society associated with combustible tobacco products. This approach is based on the understanding that most harm linked to tobacco use comes from the chemicals released and inhaled when tobacco
Read MoreZimbabwe to Prioritise Local Funding in New HIV Strategy
By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is set to begin developing its fifth Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP V), which will guide the country’s HIV response from 2026 to 2030. The forthcoming strategy follows the successful implementation of ZNASP IV, which runs until 2025 and has seen major progress in the fight against HIV. Under
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Funding Cuts Push Zimbabwe to Consider Reusable Circumcision Kits
By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is exploring the use of reusable circumcision kits to sustain voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services amid declining international funding and the gradual withdrawal of donor support. VMMC has been a key HIV prevention tool in Zimbabwe, credited with significantly reducing new HIV infections since the program’s launch in 2009. At its peak
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Why COP11 Should Be Livestreamed and Open to the Press
By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma The 11th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), scheduled to take place at the Geneva International Conference Centre in Switzerland from November 17 to 22, has faced growing criticism for its lack of transparency during meetings. While the WHO
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WHO Clings to Outdated Dogma
By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma When it came into effect in 2005, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was hailed as a landmark global health treaty. Two decades later, however, health experts say the treaty has largely failed to deliver on its promise to significantly reduce global smoking rates. The FCTC urged governments to
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Zim Parliament Passes Major Amendments to Abortion Law
By Michael Gwarisa The National Assembly has approved significant amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] (1977), marking a major step toward modernising Zimbabwe’s reproductive health laws. The changes were introduced under the Medical Services Bill, 2025, and are aimed at aligning the outdated 1977 legislation with the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) and
Read MoreWomandla Launches Vernacular SRHR Glossary
November 4, 2025 Michael Gwarisa By Michael Gwarisa To break down language barriers in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Zimbabwe’s Womandla Foundation has launched the country’s first-ever vernacular glossary of SRH terms. The initiative aims to make SRHR information more accessible to rural communities, helping people better understand programs and services that affect their health
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Zimbabwean Innovators Win Cimas Healthathon with Epilepsy Monitoring App
By Michael Gwarisa Two young Zimbabweans have embarked on a mission to transform the nation’s healthcare landscape with a new digital tool, the Epi App. The innovation aims to provide real-time monitoring for epilepsy patients, potentially reducing the life-altering risks associated with the disorder. The mobile application, developed by Munashe Dube, a Bioengineering student at the
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The Tobacco Tax Dilemma: Can Governments Protect Both Health and Revenue?
By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma Several governments find themselves in a conundrum. On one hand, they depend on tobacco tax revenues to fund public programs and services, while on the other, they aim to reduce the health risks associated with tobacco consumption. This dilemma is particularly evident in countries with significant tobacco industries. In Zimbabwe, for example,
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