Salutem, NetOne launch US$1-a-month medical cover

By Kuda Pembere Salutem International Medical Fund and NetOne through its mobile money platform One Money on Tuesday launched a medical aid scheme where all Zimbabweans can pay as little as US$1-a-month. The Salutem One Health scheme also intends to end the hassles services providers of long waiting periods to get paid for their services by medical aid funds. Under this scheme, subscribers have access to basic primary health care services which include the basic general practitioner consultations alongside getting generic medicines. The medical aid product has a three-month waiting…

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

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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Zim Women Suffering in Silence Due to Cyberbullying

By Kudakwashe Pembere Women should know the legal remedies available in legal instruments to take action against cyberbullying and online harassment perpetrators. This comes amidst findings that a lot of women were ignorant of such which has seen them suffer in silence mentally and at times even physically. A feminist solidarity workshop held in Harare recently sought to come up with recommendations on the effective implementation of laws and policies that protect women from online violence. It was organized by the Women’s Action Group (WAG), graced by guests from Women’s…

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COVID-19 Remains a Top Cause of Acute Respiratory Infections in Zimbabwe, Study Finds

By Michael Gwarisa Although COVID-19 is no longer classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), in Zimbabwe, the virus still accounts for a significant number of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) cases across the country. This insight emerged during a presentation of key findings from a study conducted by Mutala Trust, a leading research organization in Zimbabwe, which focused on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses. According to the research, the burden of respiratory diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children aged zero to 60…

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The intrinsic role of nutrition during breast cancer treatment

By Caroline Chiimba Breast cancer is a disease that affects millions of women and a percentage of men globally, and the role of nutrition in breast cancer treatment cannot be understated. A healthy diet can play a crucial role in supporting the body’s immune system, managing side effects of treatment, and promoting overall well-being during and after treatment. While the Breast cancer awareness month is coming to an end, the fight against cancer continues. Ruvimbo Danda, a renowned dietitian cited that cancer treatment can negatively affect one’s health due to…

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UNFPA Regional Director to Visit Zimbabwe for High-Level Meetings and Program Evaluations

By Staff Reporter  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Director, Lydia Zigomo will visit Zimbabwe to engage with government officials and partners on critical health and social initiatives, with the goal of advancing health, gender equality, and education across the country. During the visit, the Regional Director will attend the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers of Health and Ministers responsible for HIV and AIDS, which will be held in Harare. The director’s mission to Zimbabwe also seeks to strengthen partnerships between UNFPA and the Government of Zimbabwe and to…

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Zimbabwean Innovators Win Cimas Healthathon with Epilepsy Monitoring App

By Michael Gwarisa  Two young Zimbabweans have embarked on a mission to transform the nation’s healthcare landscape with a new digital tool, the Epi App. The innovation aims to provide real-time monitoring for epilepsy patients, potentially reducing the life-altering risks associated with the disorder. The mobile application, developed by Munashe Dube, a Bioengineering student at the University of Zimbabwe, and Lincoln Casette, an Electronics Engineering graduate from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), took the spotlight as the grand prize winner at the 2024 Cimas Healthathon. Epilepsy, a neurological disorder…

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Old Mutual Boosts Mater Dei Hospital with State-of-the-Art Operating Room Equipment Donation

By Staff Reporter  Old Mutual Boosts Mater Dei Hospital with State-of-the-Art Operating Room Equipment Donatio Bulawayo, Zimbabwe — In a significant contribution to healthcare in Zimbabwe, Old Mutual Zimbabwe has donated advanced operating room equipment to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo, enhancing the hospital’s capacity to deliver essential surgical care. This donation aligns with the National Health Strategy (2021-2025) and represents a pivotal step in strengthening healthcare infrastructure. Lillian Mbayiwa, Marketing, Public Affairs & Sustainability Executive at Old Mutual Zimbabwe, emphasized the company’s commitment to community impact. “As Old Mutual,…

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One Health and Climate: Dr. Onyango Speaks On Transforming Africa’s Health Resilience

By Michael Gwarisa In 2024, African health ministers adopted a 10-year framework to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems across the continent. This framework aims to guide World Health Organization (WHO) African region member states in translating global climate and health initiatives into concrete, actionable steps at the country level. For over a decade, the WHO has collaborated with member states and partners on policies and research initiatives to strengthen multisectoral efforts on health and environmental issues in Africa. These initiatives focus on creating strategies and frameworks that address the…

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Inaugural Climate and Health Conference Rallies Africa To Take Action Against Climate-Induced Health Threats

By Michael Gwarisa Although Africa contributes less than 4% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it faces some of the harshest impacts of climate change on health and the environment, leaders at the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC2024) have stated. Public health data shows that Africa is experiencing numerous climate-linked health hazards more than other regions in the world. This largely has to do with an already weakened health system and the absence of reliable early warning systems amongst a host of other factors. According to the World Health…

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