Zimbabwe’s medicines regulator has issued a nationwide alert and ordered the recall of a commonly used antacid, Citro Soda sachets, after contamination concerns raised during a South African inspection, urging patients and pharmacies to act over fears the affected batch may pose harm. In Circular No. 06 of 2026 dated March 23, Medicines Control Authority
Read More
MCAZ Flags Recalled Urografin Injection Over Cancer Risk Fears The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has warned healthcare providers and the public against using Urografin 60% after tests linked the product to a genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic impurity. In a circular dated March 19, 2026, the regulator said it had received a “critical communication” from
Read More
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe is moving to tighten cancer surveillance by considering making the disease notifiable, as part of broader health sector reforms to strengthen accountability and data quality, with officials saying the measure could improve reporting compliance across all sectors. Officiating at a National Stakeholders Meeting on Cancer Notification, Health Ministry Secretary Aspect Maunganidze
Read More
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe is recording close to 8 000 new cancer cases annually, with health experts warning of a rising burden driven by post-COVID trends and persistent gaps in early detection and reporting. Registrar of the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, Eric Chokunonga, said the country recorded its highest number of cases in 2022. “But
Read More
By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has announced a three-day nationwide strike following a wave of protests by nurses over low salaries and deteriorating working conditions. The demonstrations began at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital before spreading to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Bindura Provincial Hospital. A recent protest at Marondera
Read More
By Kuda Pembere Eleven nurses at Marondera Provincial Hospital were arrested and fined US$30 each after allegedly attempting to stage a protest over poor working conditions and low salaries. The arrests come amid a wave of demonstrations by nurses across the country, which began at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and spread to Parirenyatwa Group of
Read More
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe is considering introducing breathalyser testing for health workers amid growing concern over drug and substance abuse within the sector. The Health Service Commission (HSC), which oversees the public health workforce, recently convened a workshop to address rising cases of substance misuse among health professionals. The discussions come after Health and Child
Read More
By Kuda Pembere Nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital have resolved to stop working night shifts starting tomorrow following a protest over low salaries and rising transport costs. The decision comes after a demonstration at the hospital on Friday, where nurses, joined by some patients, voiced frustration over wages eroded by inflation and recent fuel
Read More
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe’s already strained public health sector is set to face deeper challenges following rising fuel prices, with health advocates warning of disruptions to service delivery, supply chains and access to care. Prices of fuel rose from US$1.71 to US$2.05 for diesel and US$1.77 to US$2.17 for blended petrol. Between January and March,
Read More
Kuda Pembere The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has backed Zimbabwe’s decision to walk away from a US$367 million health financing deal with the United States, saying the country is justified in demanding fair benefit-sharing from its health data while urging government to mobilise domestic resources to cover the funding gap. An official from the United
Read More