Illegal BBL and Breast Enhancement Salons Under Fire in Zimbabwe
  Michael Gwarisa The Health Professions Authority (HPA) Zimbabwe has issued a strong public warning regarding the proliferation of illegal facilities offering specialised medical and cosmetic procedures. According to the HPA, some of these procedures include invasive cosmetic treatments and other medical acts that should only be performed by qualified healthcare professionals. In a
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Zimbabwe Hikes Gonorrhoea Antibiotic Dose Amid Rising Resistance Fears
Michael Gwarisa As the world grapples with rising antimicrobial-resistant gonorrhoea, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has issued revised treatment guidelines. The update recommends a higher dose of the antibiotic ceftriaxone for gonorrhoea, responding to growing global resistance trends. In a circular dated 23 April 2025, signed by Health Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect
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FDA Draft Guidance on Flavored Vapes Aims to Protect Youth
 Michael Gwarisa In a move likely to curb rising youth vaping in the Global North, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new draft guidance for flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), establishing the first regulatory framework that emphasises device-level age verification to prevent underage use. Flavored ENDS have long been linked
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Zimbabwe Wraps Up Japan-Supported Kaizen Programme, Reporting Improved Hospital Patient Outcomes
 Kuda Pembere A nationwide hospital quality improvement programme, Kaizen, has concluded after four years, with the Health and Child Care Ministry reporting improvements in hospital organisation, service delivery and patient satisfaction. The 5S-Kaizen Total Quality Management (TQM) initiative, which ran from 2022 to 2025, was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in
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Over 120,000 Cape Town Teenagers May Need Asthma Care as Pollen Seasons Lengthen
WATCH HERE: Struggling to Breathe: The Silent Burden of COPD & Asthma Michael Gwarisa in Cape Town, South Africa Health experts have warned of a growing asthma burden among children in Cape Town, South Africa, with data showing that over 17 percent of teenagers in the city have a history of asthma and could still
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Misinformation at the Heart of Clause 11 Deletion – Mushoriwa
Michael Gwarisa The Medical Services Amendment Bill [H.B. 6B, 2024] has returned to the National Assembly weeks after passing through the Senate with key amendments. One of the most controversial changes was the deletion of Clause 11, which sought to simplify access to safe abortion under conditions already permitted by Zimbabwean law. Currently, abortion is
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US Clarifies Type of Health Data Requested in Zimbabwe Talks
 Michael Gwarisa A United States official has clarified the nature of the health data Washington had requested from Zimbabwe during negotiations over a proposed US$367 million health cooperation deal that has since collapsed. Two weeks ago, a leaked document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directing the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and
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Nedbank embarks on major Edith Opperman Maternity Clinic refurbishment
 Staff Reporter Financial institution Nedbank Zimbabwe has started a major infrastructure and medical equipment upgrade at Edith Opperman Maternity Clinic in Mbare to help strengthen maternal and child healthcare services. The refurbishment work includes roof repairs and repainting, interior and exterior wall repairs and painting, ceiling repairs and replacement, brick dressing and general structural
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Parirenyatwa Renovations Pushed to August Due to Equipment Delays
Kuda Pembere The completion of renovations at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, including Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital and Adlam House, a residence for nursing students, has been pushed to August this year on the back of equipment delivery delays. Adlam House had been earmarked for completion by February 14, while works at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital
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Zambia Follows Zimbabwe in Rejecting US Health Aid Deal
Michael Gwarisa There appears to be growing pushback among African countries regarding a United States (US) government health aid deal, with Zambia becoming the latest to reject parts of the deal. A Reuters report indicates that Zambia turned down a US$1 billion global health aid package from the United States, citing that the agreement does
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