By Kuda Pembere Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is working tirelessly to resume HIV services previously offered at New Start Centres, following a funding review initiated by the U.S. State Department under the administration of former President Donald Trump. The closure of New Start Centres is part of PSH’s compliance with the U.S. government directive. However, a waiver on health-related funding was later introduced to prevent the collapse of Africa’s under-resourced health systems. In an interview, PSH executive director Dr. Noah Taruberekera stated that while he could not comment on…
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Nurses Slam New Tax Clearance Rule as Unnecessary Burden, Warn of Impact on Patient Care
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwean nurses have criticized the newly introduced tax clearance requirement for renewing nurses’ practicing certificates, calling it unnecessary and cumbersome. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association warns that the policy could negatively affect patient care across the country. The controversy stems from a recent announcement by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) mandating that nurses obtain a tax clearance certificate from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) before renewing their practicing certificates. Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZNA) President Enock Dongo, in an interview with HealthTimes, argued that the requirement unfairly burdens…
Read MoreFund your own healthcare US Embassy tells Zimbabwe
By Staff Reporter The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has urged the Zimbabwean government to take responsibility for its citizens’ healthcare. On Tuesday, the Trump administration issued a waiver allowing the continuation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other medical services under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). However, according to the U.S. Embassy, other programs remain on hold. With the specifics of the waiver unclear, Zimbabweans fear it could undermine progress in the fight against HIV, including the country’s achievement of the 95-95-95 targets. The U.S. Embassy stated that…
Read More15 000 Zim livestock farmers benefit from LIPS-Zim initiative
By Kuda Pembere The Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIP-ZIM) initiative has come to a halt having benefited 15 000 farmers in six Zimbabwean districts. The initiative funded by the European Union started in 2020 looking Mutoko, Buhera, Chiredzi, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Nkayi, Gokwe North, NyamiNyami. Officiating the close-out ceremony on Wednesday, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development permanent secretary Obert Jiri said the country managed to implement sustainable production systems while empowering farmers with requisite skills and resources needed in a ever-changing agricultural landscape. This occasion of…
Read MoreZNFPC and SAYWHAT Unite to Boost Youth Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and the Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and rights for adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe. ZNFPC’s Director of Technical Services, Mercy Marimirofa, stated during the signing ceremony that the MoU would enable the two organizations to share research findings and address challenges faced by young people in accessing SRH services. The collaboration will also focus on…
Read MoreZimbabwe In Certificates of Good Standing Backlog
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe could be sitting on a stockpile of Certificates of Good Standing (CGS), amidst indications that the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has processed only four certificates this year. Last week, the NCZ issued a press statement warning the public about the proliferation of fake CGS documents. However, some sources have accused the council of failing to process legitimate applications, alleging that the last certificates were issued in 2022. These verification letters don’t come out. They last issued these certificates in January 2022,” a source said. “You…
Read MoreNew NAC Board Appointed
By Kuda Pembere A new National AIDS Council executive board of 12 members has been set up, chaired by Mrs Nester Mukwehwa. Deputising Mrs Mukwehwa is Advocate Jaison Dzvetero. It consists of old and new members while having other board members which include Dr Matthew Mare, Mrs Tendayi Westerhof, Dr Gilbert Chahwanda, Ms Mabel T. Buzuzi, Ms Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, Mr Isheanesu Nkomo, Mr Jaison Muradzikwa, Mrs Beatrice Dupwa, Mr Ralphel Tsivama, Dr Ntombizanele A. Vella, Dr Wenceslas Nyamayaro, and Dr Bernard Madzima who is the chief executive officer. Speaking on…
Read MoreMbare fears another cholera outbreak as residents endure four months of sewage
By Kuda Pembere Amidst the rainy season, Mbare residents are entering their fourth month with burst sewer pipes, triggering fears of another cholera outbreak. This emerged during a tour of the oldest density suburb in Harare by the Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Honourable Sleiman Kwidini on Wednesday. Residents who spoke to this publication said they were relieved that the Ministry of Health top officials were in their area to assess the situation. Gogo Shamhu said they have been in this situation since last year. “We are grateful for…
Read MoreZICHIRE opens Drop-in centre for drug users
By Kuda Pembere Amidst growing concern over the rise in drug and substances use cases in the country, the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research Project (ZICHIRE), has launched a drop-in centre where youngsters get counselling and treatment. In an interview on the side-lines of the International Men’s Day, ZICHIRE programmes manager Walter Chikanya said the celebrations were done at a time men should be taking a leading role in improved health seeking behaviours. It is very important for men to be having good health-seeking behavior because there are so many…
Read MoreDrug Users Call for Affordable Public Rehabilitation Centres
By Kuda Pembere, recently in Gweru Persons Who Use and Inject Drugs (PWUID) have urged the government to expedite the establishment of public rehabilitation centres, citing unaffordable costs at private facilities. Currently, there are no state-owned rehab centres, but the government claims to have identified suitable locations across all provinces for future facilities. During a two-day harm reduction workshop organized by SAYWHAT in Gweru, Jonathan, a participant and drug user, posed a question to Chipo Ziweva, the Mental Health Officer from the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Bulawayo Provincial…
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