Zim Nurses Begin Nationwide Stay-Away, Down Tools Over Pay Dispute
By Kuda Pembere Government nurses across Zimbabwe have begun a nationwide three-day stay-away, downing tools in protest over low salaries and stalled negotiations. The industrial action was triggered by a salary adjustment of about 1,000 ZiG—roughly US$30 to US$40—an increase nurses say is inadequate. By the time of publication, nurses at several major public health
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Zimbabwean Pharmacist Tackles Health Misinformation One Book at a Time with Seven-Book Series
Michael Gwarisa At a time when health misinformation spreads faster than facts, a Zimbabwean pharmacist is taking an ambitious step to reclaim the narrative, one book at a time. In a bold effort to bridge the health information gap across Zimbabwe and the broader African region, pharmacist Reuben Katumba has launched a series of seven
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8 things you need to know about the BA.3.2 ‘Cicada’ variant of COVID-19
Linda Geddes News of a “highly mutated” strain of SARS-CoV-2 has sparked understandable concern in recent days, with headlines focusing on the unusually large number of genetic changes it carries. But while scientists are keeping a close eye on the BA.3.2 variant, nicknamed ‘Cicada’, early evidence suggests this Omicron offshoot is not currently driving large
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Zimbabwean Company Launches Drone Technology to Deliver Medicines and Blood Products
Michael Gwarisa Drone Solutions, a local logistics company, has introduced drone technology to deliver medicines, blood and blood products, among other essential health commodities, across Zimbabwe. The move is set to address gaps in the healthcare supply chain while tackling persistent challenges such as poor road networks and transport-related delays. It is also expected to
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Two LGBTIQ-Linked Zim NGOs Rejected Under New PVO Decisions
Michael Gwarisa Recent Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Board decisions show that most organisations seeking registration under Zimbabwe’s updated regulatory framework have been approved, while a small number have been rejected or deferred for further consideration. Among the organisations affected are two groups linked to sexual and reproductive health and LGBTIQ-related programming: the Sexual Rights Centre,
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Egyptian Cardiothoracic Surgeons Lead Zimbabwe’s Third Paediatric Heart Surgery Mission
Kuda Pembere Egyptian cardiothoracic surgeons are returning to Zimbabwe for the third time to perform open-heart surgeries on 10 children.The procedures are set to begin next Monday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, where the visiting specialists will work alongside local cardiothoracic teams. Their return follows the commissioning of a new heart-lung machine at Parirenyatwa, which
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Zimbabwe Moves to Tackle Climate-Health Crisis With New Adaptation Plan
By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwe has begun the process of developing a Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), a strategic framework aimed at addressing the impact of climate change on the health sector, with completion expected in early 2027. Once finalised, the country is set to become the ninth in Africa with an up-to-date plan integrating climate
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Nationwide nurses’ strike slated for Monday after Government’s US$30 increment
By Kuda Pembere The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has announced a nationwide three-day strike beginning next Monday after Government failed to deliver on a promised salary increase. The industrial action follows what nurses describe as a disappointing US$30 increment in April salaries, far below expectations of a salary of around US$600. ZINA had initially issued
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PEPFAR, Global Fund Expand Lenacapavir Access to Reach 3 Million in HIV Prevention Push
Michael Gwarisa Global efforts to scale up access to a groundbreaking HIV prevention injection have received a major boost after PEPFAR and The Global Fund announced additional investment in Gilead Sciences’ long-acting drug, lenacapavir, with the aim of expanding protection to millions at risk. The new commitment will support access for up to an additional
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Manchester Institute of Biotechnology Develops Cheaper, Sustainable Method to Produce HIV Drug Lenacapavir
Michael Gwarisa Amid growing global pressure to make Lenacapavir more affordable, researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology have developed a new method that could significantly reduce the cost and improve the sustainability of manufacturing the long-acting HIV prevention drug. Supported by funding from the Gates Foundation, the scientists applied engineering biology, a rapidly advancing
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