Blood Group O in Zimbabwe: Why Hospitals Can Never Have Enough
Michael Gwarisa As 2026 began, the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) reported that the country’s blood banks were facing shortages. Unfortunately, this is not a new problem. Blood shortages have become a recurring challenge in Zimbabwe, affecting hospitals and clinics across the country. A healthy blood bank should maintain at least five days’ supply
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Vaccine Storage Temperature Guidelines: What Health Facilities Must Know
Michael Gwarisa Vaccines are temperature-sensitive biological products, and even small changes in temperature during storage or transport can significantly reduce their safety and effectiveness. While all vaccines are sensitive to heat, some can also be damaged by freezing or exposure to light. To ensure potency throughout the immunisation supply chain, the World Health Organization (WHO)
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Trump Signs Historic US$5.88 Billion Package to Expand HIV Funding
Michael Gwarisa United States President Donald Trump signed into law a US$5.88 billion bipartisan spending package on February 3, 2026 that restores and expands American support for global HIV initiatives, according to a statement from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The package represents one of the largest single‑year pledges of U.S. government funding for the
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African Heads of State Commit to Advance Local Manufacturing of Health Products
Michael Gwarisa African Heads of State and Government have pledged to accelerate local manufacturing of health products as part of a continent wide push to strengthen health security, reduce import dependence, and improve preparedness for future pandemics. Leaders from all 54 member states of the African Union made the commitment during high level engagements held
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TIME Honours Zimbabwe’s Dr Tariro Makadzange on the TIME100 Health 2026 List
Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwean scientist Dr. Tariro Makadzange has been named to the TIME100 Health 2026 list by TIME, a recognition that signals the growing prominence of Africa-led clinical trials infrastructure. The list spotlights the 100 most influential leaders in health from around the world in 2026. Dr Makadzange is the founder and Chief Executive Officer
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How Instant Noodles and Zapnax Snacks Are Fueling a Silent Health Crisis Among Zimbabwean Children
By Michael Gwarisa While they may be convenient and easy to prepare for your little ones, flavoured snacks, foods and beverages contain high sugar, salt and or unhealthy fats that can increase the risk of becoming overweight or obese, and of related chronic diseases later in life. Data from the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee
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Zimbabwe Doctors Back Amendments Broadening Abortion Access
Michael Gwarisa The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has publicly endorsed Clause 11 of the Medical Services Amendment Bill, a provision that seeks to broaden access to safe termination of pregnancy services in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe currently permits abortion under limited circumstances, including when a pregnancy poses a serious risk to a woman’s
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Cholera Outbreak in Africa Set to Dominate AU Summit Agenda
By Michael Gwarisa The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accounts for 68 percent of all cholera cases reported in the region in 2026, as well as 80 percent of all cholera-related deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said. Other African countries currently experiencing active cholera outbreaks include Zimbabwe, Zambia,
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Who Should Not Take Lenacapavir? Key Health Conditions to Consider Before the Rollout
By Michael Gwarisa As Zimbabwe prepares to roll out Lenacapavir, an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis drug, anticipation is growing among people waiting for their turn. The initial consignment consists of just 2,000 doses, meaning distribution will focus on groups classified as high risk. Despite its high efficacy, Dr Owen Mugurungi, Director of AIDS, TB and Malaria
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Zimbabwe Integrates Eye Care into Universal Health Coverage
By Michael Gwarisa Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglass Mombeshora, has announced that Zimbabwe now recognises eye health as an integral component of Universal Health Coverage and national development. He made the remarks while addressing a Breakfast Meeting during the recently concluded ECSA Health Community Conference in Mbabane, Eswatini. “Across the ECSA region,
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