African Leaders Pledge US$910 Million to Contain Ebola as Africa CDC Warns Time Is Running Out
By Michael Gwarisa African leaders, donors and international partners have pledged US$910 million towards containing the growing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with health officials warning that delays in releasing funds could sharply escalate both infections and costs. The commitments were announced following a High-Level Emergency Meeting convened
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WHO Pushes Expansion of PEN-Plus to 30 African Countries Ahead of Tanzania Conference
By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to expand its PEN-Plus programme to 30 African countries beginning this year as governments, health experts and development partners gather momentum to tackle the continent’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The planned expansion comes ahead of the 3rd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA
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AFRICALLI calls for allergy care to be recognised as essential health across Africa during World Allergy Week 2026
By Michael Gwarisa The African Alliance for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AFRICALLI) is using World Allergy Week 2026 to push for a major shift in how allergic and immunologic diseases are prioritised across the continent, calling for them to be formally recognised as essential health care within national health systems. Under the theme “Allergy Care
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635 Cases and Rising: Current Ebola Outbreak Far Exceeds Previous Bundibugyo Epidemics
By Michael Gwarisa The current outbreak of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the largest ever recorded since the strain was first identified nearly two decades ago, according to data from Africa CDC. As of June 9, 2026, the outbreak had recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127
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New Cancer Machines to Tackle 800-Patient Treatment Backlog, Says Government
Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe’s newly acquired cancer treatment machines are expected to significantly reduce a radiotherapy backlog affecting more than 800 patients, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said. The advanced radiotherapy equipment, procured using revenue generated through the Sugar Content Tax, is being installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare and
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CancerServe Trust Honours Survivors, Caregivers and Hope
Staff Reporter Cancer survivors have been urged to use their experiences to inspire and support others facing the disease as Zimbabwe’s cancer community gathered in Harare for the “Threads of Triumph” Survivors’ Dinner hosted by CancerServe Trust. Held at Goodhope in Harare, the event brought together survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals and corporate partners to celebrate
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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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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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