Zimbabwe Rebuilds Midwifery Workforce Through Training and Digital Innovation
By Michael Gwarisa “I enjoy midwifery because, to me, it gives me the satisfaction that I am saving humanity and playing a part in bringing lives into this world,” says Sr Sikhangele Mguni, a midwife at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo. For Sr Mguni, those words are not just a reflection. They are a lifetime of
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More Zimbabwean Men Dying Than Women, Vital Statistics Report Shows
Michael Gwarisa More Zimbabwean men are dying than women, with males accounting for the majority of registered deaths in both 2023 and 2024, according to findings contained in the Zimbabwe Vital Statistics Report 2023–2024. The report, released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), shows that men accounted for 53 percent of all registered deaths
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WHO, Africa CDC launch US$518 million continental Ebola preparedness plan
Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a US$517.7 million joint continental preparedness and response plan aimed at containing the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and preventing its spread across Africa. The six-month plan, covering June to November 2026, seeks to strengthen surveillance,
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Zim commemorates World Health Day amid calls to end preventable maternal deaths
Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe marked World Health Day amid renewed calls for stronger commitment to health as a fundamental human right, with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) urging urgent action to end preventable maternal deaths. The commemorations were held under the theme “Together for Health. Stand with Science,” which officials said underscores the need for
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95 Out of Every 100 Zimbabwean Babies Now Born in Health Facilities
Michael Gwarisa If 100 Zimbabwean women gave birth in 2024, about 95 would have delivered their babies in a clinic or hospital, while only four would have given birth at home, reflecting the country’s continued shift towards safer, facility-based childbirth. The figures were revealed during the launch and dissemination of the 2023-2024 Vital Statistics Report
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Zimbabwean Innovators to Compete for US$7,000 in Cimas Healthathon 3.0
Michael Gwarisa Cimas Health Group has launched the third edition of its national Healthathon competition, inviting innovators, startups and university technology teams to develop digital solutions capable of transforming healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe. Speaking at the launch held at the Cimas Health Group headquarters in Borrowdale, Harare, on Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer Mr Vuli Ndlovu
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Nucleic Acid Testing Technology Expands Blood Collection Frontiers, Boosts Zimbabwe’s Blood Stocks
Michael Gwarisa …National Blood Service Zimbabwe scales up collection target to nearly 90,000 units as NAT enhances safety and access to new donor sites The commissioning of the Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) machine at the National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) in early 2026 has significantly transformed blood collection operations, enabling the national blood bank to
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Africa CDC Appoints Saran Koly as New Communications Director
Michael Gwarisa The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has appointed Saran Koly as its new Director of Communications and Public Information, bringing to the role more than two decades of experience in strategic communications, public health advocacy, media relations and stakeholder engagement across Africa and globally. At Africa CDC, Koly will
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Zimbabwe Sets Up Three Ebola Isolation Centres as Government Activates National Preparedness Plan
Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has established three Ebola isolation and treatment centres in Harare, Bulawayo and Chirundu as part of a nationwide preparedness response, even as the country confirms that no cases of Ebola Virus Disease have been reported locally. The Ministry of Health and Child Care says the move is a precautionary measure in response
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Zimbabwe Spends US$27 Million Sugar Tax Funds on Radiotherapy Equipment
Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has spent US$27 million raised through the sugar tax on the first phase of a major cancer equipment procurement programme aimed at transforming diagnosis and treatment services in public hospitals. The latest consignment includes two high-capacity multi-energy radiotherapy machines weighing about 22 tonnes, which are expected to significantly strengthen the country’s cancer
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