CeSSHAR, NAC empower Beitbridge sex workers

Donning a baby-blue t-shirt, is a bespectacled bubbly 55 year old woman feeling young enough to compete with the ama2000 who are plying the sex work trade, the oldest profession in the world. By Kuda Pembere recently in Beitbridge Widowed, left a pauper with four children, the tinted short-haired Winnie Phiri was advised by a neighbour to venture into sex work as a way out of poverty. As a sex worker, she thought unprotected sex would please her clients as she did her husband. Coupled with the gang-rape, Winnie was…

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NAC Installs Condom Dispensers In Masvingo HIV Hotspots

THE National Aids Council (NAC) has rolled an extensive condom distribution drive in most HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) hotspots in Masvingo in a bid to reduce the high HIV burden in the province. By Michael Gwarisa in Masvingo province The initiative comes at the back of indications that the province is lagging behind in terms of condom uptake and usage making it difficult for programmers to realise meaningful results from their efforts as new cases of HIV and STIs are constantly increasing. According to NAC statistics, HIV prevalence…

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How to use a Butterfly Menstrual Cup

The Butterfly Menstrual cup is made from 100% medical grade silicone and is designed to be worn internally.   To insert the Butterfly Cup simply fold it into a C shape fold and insert it into the vagina. Some ladies prefer to squat down to insert the cup or put one foot on the toilet or even lie down. There is no right or wrong position and you should use which ever suits you and your body. The Butterfly Cup should sit high enough that you cannot feel it but…

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Sweden, Ireland pour US$4.7m towards ending GBV in Zimbabwe

By Daniel Phiri GOVERNMENTS of Sweden and Ireland have signed an agreement of cooperation with the United Nations committing US$4.7 million to support a joint program on Zero Tolerance to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) 365 in Zimbabwe. The commitment comes at a time when the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) 2015 has confirmed that violence against women and girls remains a huge problem with at least 1in every 3 women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. ZDHS also revealed that 27 percent in the same age…

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UNFPA Donates Reproductive Health Kits To Flood Victims

By Staff Reporter UNITED Nations Family Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over reproductive health and dignity kits valued at US$189 000 to women and girls affected by Cyclone Dineo in Tsholotsho, Muzarabani and Mbire districts. Some parts of the country were affected by floods which came as a result of high rainfall and the situation was further worsened by the tropical Cyclone Dineo in March this year forcing government to appeal for assistance from development partners.   Addressing delegates at the official handover ceremony of the kits, UNFPA Assistant Representative…

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Traditional Leaders Driving Primary Health Care

By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mapanzure TRADITIONAL leaders have always been key figures in the upholding of societal standards and effecting laws that guide and protect citizens since time immemorial. Under the African setup, traditional leaders in this case, chiefs, village headmen, district officers, Councillors among others play a pivotal role in determining the fate of their people. In Zimbabwe, traditional leaders hold key functions even at top political levels as the constitution of Zimbabwe recognises the role of traditional chiefs and leaders. It is through their influence that traditional…

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AIDS levy to fund cancer fight

Shamiso Yikoniko Sundaimail At least 7 000 new cases of cancer are recorded every year in Zimbabwe, resulting in 1 500 deaths. Moreover, 60 percent of these cancers are associated with HIV. As a result, the National Aids Council began procuring cancer detection equipment and drugs in 2012 to diversify its measures to fight HIV and Aids. NAC monitoring and evaluation director Mr Amon Mpofu confirmed the development and said these will not be reserved for people living with HIV only. “The procured cancer equipment and drugs will be distributed…

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AG finishes Public Health Bill

Staff Reporter THE long awaited Public Health Bill draft which seeks among other things to update the country’s Public Health Act (PHA), is now with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Zimbabwe currently relies on a single PHA which is about 90 years old and has been criticised for failing to answer to new challenges obtaining in the health sector. When the PHA was enacted in 1924, such ailments as non communicable diseases, HIV/AIDS, maternal health, key-populations risks among others were not as common as they are today. This…

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Hundreds Turn Out for Cleft Lip Surgeries

By Michael Gwarisa  MORE than 200 children turned for Cleft lip screening underway at Harare Hospital while another 47 surgeries were conducted at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo last week courtesy of Operation of Hope. Operation of Hope is an American Non-Profit organisation focused on empowering marginalised and undeserved communities. In an interview, Operation of Hope president Jennifer Trubenbach said the response to their call for free cleft lip screening and surgeries was an indication that the need for Reconstruction surgeries was a huge need amongst Zimbabweans. “Operation of Hope was at Mpilo…

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UN’s US$1.6m boost to flood disaster response

HealthTimes Reporter The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has committed USD 1.6 million to assist over 32,600 flood-affected people with life-saving shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene and protection in 20 districts in Zimbabwe. This UN fund is in addition to USD 8.2 million allocated last year in response to the severe drought that affected over 4million rural Zimbabweans. The handover ceremony was held in the presence of media today at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Makombe boardroom, in Harare. Dignitaries present at the…

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