Termination of pregnancy in minors raises questions over consent, Dr Makoni says
By Kuda Pembere In Zimbabwe, decisions on termination of pregnancy involving minors require careful consideration of consent, the child’s maturity and her best interests, an obstetrician and gynaecologist has said, highlighting the complexities healthcare workers face when providing reproductive health services to pregnant adolescents. Speaking with HealthTimes, Dr Rumbidzai Makoni said healthcare workers should explain
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Women urged to screen for breast cancer as cases emerge among younger women
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe recorded an estimated 2,483 new breast cancer cases among women in 2024, making it the country’s second most common cancer among women after cervical cancer, which accounted for an estimated 5,194 cases, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Cancer Observatory. The figures have renewed calls for greater
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Wellcome Trust commends Zimbabwe’s community-centred climate research
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe has been commended for involving communities in climate-related research and demonstrating political commitment to building climate-resilient health systems. Wellcome Trust Technology Lead for Data for Science and Health Dr Felipe Colon-Gonzalez said collaboration between government, academia and communities was helping translate research findings into policies and interventions to protect public health.
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Ease of Doing Business Reforms Cut HPA Revenue by 40%
By Kuda Pembere The Health Professions Authority (HPA) has lost about 40 percent of its revenue following Government’s reduction of regulatory fees under its Ease-of-Doing-Business reforms, forcing the authority to introduce cost-cutting measures while maintaining its regulatory mandate. In May this year, Government unveiled sweeping regulatory reforms that reduced fees, licences and compliance costs across
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Drug and Substance-related offences among top crimes sending women to prison
By Kuda Pembere An offence category involving alcohol, tobacco and other controlled substances was among the top three crimes leading to the imprisonment of women in Zimbabwe during the second quarter of 2026, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT). ZIMSTAT’s 2026 Second Quarter Prison Admissions and Discharges Statistics report shows that assault was
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As El Niño looms, researchers call for climate crisis to be declared global health emergency
By Kuda Pembere Researchers have called for the global climate crisis to be declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that extreme weather, droughts, floods and heatwaves are already placing health systems and vulnerable populations under severe pressure. The call comes as Zimbabwe prepares for the 2026-27 farming season, with the Meteorological
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FNC spearheads Zimbabwe’s preparations for forecast El Niño drought
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe is developing an Anticipatory Action Protocol to guide coordinated preparations for the forecast El Niño-induced drought during the 2026-27 rainfall season. The protocol will bring together government ministries, development partners and other stakeholders to agree on early warning triggers, interventions and financing before a disaster occurs. Officiating at a four-day workshop
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Zimbabwe Gender Commission Launches 90-Day Campaign Against Intimate Partner Violence
By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has launched a 90-day national campaign against intimate partner violence following concern over domestic violence cases that have escalated into serious injury and loss of life. Speaking to journalists on Friday, ZGC chairperson Dr Leslie Ncube said the reported increase in physical, sexual and emotional violence within intimate
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President Mnangagwa outlines health reforms and new legislation
By Kuda Pembere President Emmerson Mnangagwa says access to essential health services has continued to improve through the strengthening of public health institutions, expansion of primary healthcare services and improved availability of essential medicines. Addressing Parliament at the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament at the New Parliament Building in Harare
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HPA shuts 48 health facilities in 2026 amid crackdown on bogus practitioners
By Kuda Pembere The Health Professions Authority (HPA) closed 48 health facilities this year for operating without the required registration or qualified personnel, bringing the number of facilities closed since last year to 77. The closures were carried out with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), with 29 facilities closed in 2025 and
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