How video games benefit your health

There is much information about how video games can affect people negatively. But people would be surprised to learn that video games have positive effects, too. One area that they positively affect is health. Studies on the positive health effects of video games have shown that they improve 69% of psychological therapy outcomes, 59% of physical therapy outcomes, and 50% of physical activity outcomes. And that’s just not the most significant portion of the positive impact that video games have on health. It’s worth noting that the studies mostly show…

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Zimbabwe To Host Leadership in Health Technology Symposium

By Staff Reporter  In a significant step towards modernizing the country’s healthcare landscape, Zimbabwe is set to host the Leadership in Health Technology Symposium on March 29 in Harare. The event, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe and local partners, will bring together leading healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and innovators to explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) into Zimbabwe’s healthcare system. The symposium aims to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and skill development among medical practitioners and technology experts.…

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New Study Finds High Prevalence of Neonatal Jaundice in Zimbabwe

By Michael Gwarisa A new study has revealed a high prevalence of neonatal jaundice in Zimbabwe, with nearly 46 percent of newborns at Westend Hospital in Harare diagnosed with the condition in 2021. The study, published in Social Medicine, highlights low birth weight, prematurity, blood group incompatibility, and maternal diabetes as the leading risk factors. Neonatal jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to high bilirubin levels, is a major cause of newborn hospital admissions globally. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications, including brain…

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Zim launches Pediatric Cancer Treatment Guidelines

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe launched its Childhood Cancer Treatment Guidelines on Friday, strengthening the country’s efforts to combat childhood cancers through early diagnosis and improved treatment. The launch, which coincided with International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) commemorations at Kidzcan’s Rainbow Village, comes at a time when children with cancer in Zimbabwe have only a 20 percent survival rate—well below the World Health Organization (WHO) 2030 target of 60 percent. Officiating at the event, Mr. Lee Nkala, Acting Director for the Non-Communicable Diseases Department, spoke on behalf of the Health and…

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Zimbabwe to Begin Drug Testing for Public Transport and Mshikashika Drivers

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe has received drug testing equipment worth US$60,000 from the Abused Substances and Diagnostics Management (ASDM) project in an effort to curb drug- and alcohol-induced road traffic accidents. The equipment will be deployed nationwide to screen public transport drivers for intoxication. Zimbabwe has one of the highest road traffic accident rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe shows that between January and May 2024, the country recorded 21,183 crashes and 860 fatalities—an average of 141 accidents and nearly six deaths per day.…

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High Rates of Depression Among GBV Survivors in Zimbabwe Raise Concern

By Michael Gwarisa The prevalence of mental health disorders, particularly depression, among women who experience Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe is estimated to be around 77%. According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019, nearly 40% of women and girls in Zimbabwe experience physical violence in their lifetime, while 12% of women aged 15-49 have suffered sexual violence. Speaking at a recent Data to Policy meeting in Harare, Mildred Mapani, an economist in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprise Development, emphasized the need to…

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China-Aid Cataract Surgery Camp to Offer Free Eye Treatment in Harare

Health Brief  Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in collaboration with Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital of China, is set to conduct a free cataract surgery camp under the “China-Aid Bright Journey 2” initiative. The program, aimed at restoring vision for Zimbabwean citizens in need, will take place at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Hospital in Harare from February 24 to March 1, 2025. Screening for eligible patients commenced on February 12, and those qualifying for the procedure will receive comprehensive care from experienced medical professionals. The initiative offers hope to adults struggling with cataract-related…

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Zimbabwe Faces Rising Breast Cancer Burden-WHO Report

By Michael Gwarisa  Breast cancer remains a significant public health challenge across Africa, with Zimbabwe ranking among the countries with notable incidence rates. According to the latest data from a World Health Organization (WHO) Assessment of breast cancer control capacities in the WHO African Region in 2022, Zimbabwe has an age-standardized breast cancer incidence rate of 35.34 per 100,000 population, placing it among the top 15 countries in the WHO African Region with the highest burden of the disease. The WHO report highlights stark variations in breast cancer incidence across…

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HIV infections could jump over 6 times if US support is dropped and not replaced, UNAIDS chief says

The head of the U.N. AIDS agency said Monday the number of new HIV infections could jump more than six times by 2029 if American support of the biggest AIDS program is dropped, warning that millions of people could die and more resistant strains of the disease could emerge. In an interview with The Associated Press, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said HIV infections have been falling in recent years, with just 1.3 million new cases recorded in 2023, a 60% decline since the virus peaked in 1995. But since…

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World Vision Zimbabwe Launches ENOUGH Campaign to Tackle Child Hunger

By Michael Gwarisa In a bid to combat child hunger and improve health and learning outcomes, World Vision Zimbabwe has launched the ENOUGH Campaign, set to reach approximately 2.5 million children across the country’s 10 provinces. Launched globally in 2024, the campaign is a call to action for governments, organizations, and communities to unite in ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food and a healthier future. Zimbabwe, like many other countries, continues to face high levels of food insecurity, exacerbated by climate shocks such as droughts, economic challenges,…

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