Village Delivery Turns Deadly: How Home Births in Gokwe Are Fueling New HIV Infections
By Michael Gwarisa in Gokwe South When Sister Farisai Mlambo, the nurse in charge at Katema Clinic in rural Gokwe South, spoke in an interview with HealthTimes on the sidelines of a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) dialogue, she revealed a chilling case that has unsettled health workers and traditional leaders in the area. “We
Read MoreMombeshora Threatens Closure of Private Health Facilities Withholding HIV MTCT Data
By Kuda Pembere Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora has warned private health players who fail to provide data on Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) programs, saying such facilities risk closure. He gave the warning during the National Validation Committee (NVC) Meeting for the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B
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Bedroom Revolution? Condoms That Delay Ejaculation Hit Zim Market
By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabweans are seeing a shift in sexual wellness products as new condoms designed to enhance pleasure and prolong intimacy enter the market. While condoms have traditionally been promoted for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, the latest options reflect changing consumer expectations and a growing interest in sexual wellbeing. “By introducing
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Harare’s Expanding Sex Work Industry Amid Service Disruptions: A Public Health Time Bomb for Zimbabwe
By Michael Gwarisa In 2024, Theresa*, a 23-year-old from Chitungwiza, turned to sex work not by choice, but out of necessity. Zimbabwe’s faltering economy had left few opportunities for young women like her. What began as a means to survive quickly became a dangerous gamble with her health and safety. “At times, I risk and
Read MoreTwo Generations, One Battle: Global Fund’s Role in Zimbabwe’s ARV Success
By Michael Gwarisa When Otilia Tasikasni learned she was HIV positive in 1991, she believed her life was over. The diagnosis then was not just a medical statement; it was a countdown. Doctors told her she had only two or three years to live, and every day felt like borrowed time. “At one point, all
Read MoreProsecuting HIV Under a Repealed Law Will Take Zimbabwe 20 Years Back Into the Dark Ages
By Michael Gwarisa In May 2022, Zimbabwe took a bold and progressive step by repealing Section 79 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which criminalised the deliberate transmission of HIV. This repeal was not merely a legislative change, it was a milestone in Zimbabwe’s HIV response, signaling a shift toward science, public health,
Read MoreHigh Pregnancy Rates Among HIV-Positive Teens in Zimbabwe and Zambia Reveal Critical Care Gaps
By Staff Reporter A landmark study in Zimbabwe and Zambia has uncovered alarming pregnancy rates among adolescents living with HIV since birth, exposing urgent gaps in healthcare and social support systems. The research, conducted with 842 adolescents aged 11-19, found that pregnancy incidence reached 6.8 per 100 person-years among those aged 15 and older –
Read MoreOne Visit, One Test, Three Results: The Triple Elimination Test Steps Up Global MTCT Fight
By Shamiso Yikoniko in Kigali, Rwanda A groundbreaking diagnostic tool recently prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) is set to revolutionize efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of three major infections: HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Dubbed the “Triple Elimination Test,” the innovative tool adopts a ‘one visit, one test, three results’ approach, allowing
Read MoreZimbabwe to Implement New WHO HIV Guidelines
By Shamiso Yikoniko in Kigali, Rwanda The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated HIV prevention, treatment, and care guidelines during the 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science in Kigali, Rwanda, offering renewed hope in the global fight against HIV. Zimbabwe, home to an estimated 1.3 million people living with HIV, is
Read MoreU.S. Senate Moves to Protect PEPFAR Funding Amid Trump-Era Cuts Threat
By Health Times Correspondent The International AIDS Society (IAS) has applauded a bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate to safeguard the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) from a proposed $400 million funding cut that had originated from President Donald Trump’s rescission package. However, advocates caution that the battle is far from over.
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