Category: Features

Alcon Celebrates One Year of Advancing Eye Care Through its Phaco Development Program in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent. According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from…

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ARASA Empowers ZCLDN to Advance Zimbabwe’s Civil Liberties and Drive Policy Change on Drug Use

Michael Gwarisa

In Zimbabwe, the burden of drug and substance abuse has grown significantly over the years. This crisis was further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which, through global lockdowns, exposed many young people to negative coping mechanisms as they struggled with the idleness and isolation brought about by restrictions. According to official data, over 75% of mental health hospitalizations in Zimbabwe are linked to drug and substance use. Psychiatric facilities across the country are often overwhelmed, operating at full capacity as they attempt to accommodate the rising number of drug-related admissions.…

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WHO Deploys Experts To Investigate Fatal Mysterious Flu In DRC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) is deploying experts to support health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo carry out further investigations to determine the cause of a yet undiagnosed disease that has been reported in Panzi, a locality in Kwango province in the southwest of the country. Laboratory tests are being conducted to determine the cause. The WHO experts are joining the National Rapid Response Team and are on their way to Panzi. The team comprises epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory technicians and infection prevention and control,…

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 Youth Urged to Lead the Fight Against Drug and Substance Abuse

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwean youth should take a leading role in combating drug and substance abuse, a Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training official said on Friday. Speaking at the launch of the 14th SAYWHAT Students’ Conference and the “3D – Don’t Drug Your Dreams Away Campaign,” Deputy Director Mr. Osward Mudhunguyo emphasized the critical role of youth in addressing this challenge. Our young people should be at the heart of this battle. As the most affected group, you have a unique and powerful role to play in…

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HRF donates ICT equipment to Public Health Emergency Operation Centre

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Health Resilience Fund (HRF), through one of its implementing partners, the World Health Organization (WHO), has given to the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre some ICT equipment worth US$90 000 for better real-time data collection in the preparedness and response of public health emergencies. Officiating the handover ceremony, Health and Child Care Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze in a speech read on his behalf by Acting Public Health Chief Director Dr Jaensch Mutede said the equipment would go a long away for prompt updates amidst…

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PSH Hosts Chiefs Indaba To Commemorate 16 Days Of Activism Against GBV

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere in Mazowe Population Solutions for Health (PSH) engaged traditional chiefs from some parts of the country on gender-based violence and child marriages issues where it emerged Mashonaland Central ranked highest in the country. The 16 days of Activism against GBV chiefs indaba held in Mazowe was graced by chiefs from Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East as well as the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe His Excellency Per Lindgarde. We welcome this program. As chiefs when it comes to the issue of child marriages, we refer the cases…

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Health Ministry implements Electronic Health Records in all Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe health facilities

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere recently in UMP  The Ministry of Health and Child Care has managed to install and activate for use, the Electronic -Health Records (HER) system in all health facilities in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe district. Mashambanhaka clinic in Uzumba was the first facility in the country to implement the EHR system. Speaking to journalists during a UMP tour to assess the EHR implementation organized by the Health Ministry, the district medical officer Dr Gladman Mubonani said the system reduced the use of eight paper based registers. This is the district which…

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Zambia Offers Health Care to Zimbabweans — but for How Long?

Michael Gwarisa

By Gamuchirai Masiyiwa Global Press Zimbabwe When Dube was diagnosed with gallstones in 2013, the public hospital in Zimbabwe recommended surgery costing close to 4,000 United States dollars. She couldn’t afford that. A friend suggested she go to Zambia, about 150 kilometers (94 miles) to the north. There, the friend said, treatment would be cheaper. Over the past decade, Dube has gone to Zambia multiple times for medical treatment. Her most recent trip was in June. Treatment is cheaper there, she says, but the level of care is also far…

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Empowering Midwives Through E-Learning: New Training Program Bridges Zimbabwe’s Healthcare Skills Gap

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa For the past nine years, Mutsa Katsidzira, 33, a nurse at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare, has practiced as a nurse. Although she finds her job fulfilling, she has always dreamed of a career in midwifery, where she could help pregnant women deliver safely. Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector has faced significant setbacks over the past decade. Skilled professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, have left the country in search of better working conditions and pay, leaving a critical gap in the healthcare system—especially in midwifery training. According to the…

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