Category: NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Zim scientists discover cancer cure

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere As the search for a cancer cure is under way across the globe, a team of Zimbabwean born scientists say they discovered compounds  using artificial intelligence, mathematical modelling and machine learning. The algorithm targets cancer cells without interfering the normal healthy cells. These scientists are working alongside the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Johannesburg. The lead scientist for this project is Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH) chairperson and Head of the Mathematics School at the University of Witwatersrand Professor Simon Mukwembi working with the…

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Gvt Bans Long Distance Traveling For Kombis to Curb Road Accidents

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Commuter Omnibuses or Kombis will no longer be allowed to ferry passengers beyond 60 Kilometres as part of efforts to reduce the growing scourge and burden of road traffic accidents. Under the new radius-based restrictions being implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Kombis’ travel distance has been reduced from 120 km to 60 km. In a statement, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honorable Felix Mhona, said the new restrictions were effective immediately. As the Ministry endeavors to mitigate against road traffic crashes…

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Junk and processed Foods Driving Non-Communicable Diseases in Zimbabwe’s Young People

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe is experiencing a surge in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) linked to poor lifestyles and consumption of unhealthy diets, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned. Recent data from the annual Obesity Atlas shows that 2.9 million Zimbabwean children will be having high Body Mass Index (BMI) by year 2035 and the number of children who had high BMI in 2020 was 1,155,173. This according to the report will likely trigger an increase in stroke related health complications, diabetes linked to BMI among other conditions.…

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Childhood Cancer International president hails KidzCan, ACCZ partnership

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Visiting Childhood Cancer International president Mr Rodney Wong on Wednesday commended the partnership between the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) and KidzCan noting it will have a great impact on the lives of children in early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. At a time when the apostolic church is most of the time perceived to be against the seeking of medical services, ACCZ and KidzCan last week signed a memorandum of understanding for the sensitization of apostolic sect members on the importance of seeking cancer services for children.…

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Over 750 young doctors benefit from Merck Foundation’s Nationwide Diabetes and Hypertension Blue Point program

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere With African countries having fewer specialist doctors in hypertension, cardiology and endocrinology, the partnership between Africa’s first ladies, the Ministries of Health, medical societies as well as the academia and the Merck Foundation under the “Nationwide Diabetes and Hypertension Blue Point program” banner have given over 750 scholarships to young doctors. The young doctors will be practicing specialties namely Hypertension, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology. This Merck Foundation said this in a statement to commemorate World Hypertension Day. “At Merck Foundation we mark “World Hypertension Day” by improving…

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Zimbabwe Makes Inroads In Addressing Severe NCDs Through The PEN-Plus Strategy

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, more than 560 000 avoidable deaths occur annually among the world’s poorest children and young adults with nearly 100 000 of these deaths being caused by only four conditions namely Type 1 diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, rheumatic and congenital heart disease. Just like most countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Zimbabwe is experiencing a huge burden in Severe Non-Communicable Diseases which, unlike ordinary NCDs, do not get much public health attention despite them accounting for several deaths every…

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Turning Lemons into Lemonade: How Type 1 Diabetic Survivor Tinotenda Dzikiti Is Conquering The World Stage

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa At age 13, in 2010, Tinotenda Dzikiti accompanied his parents for the Christmas holidays in the village. Unbeknown to him, his life was about to change in the coming few days. What started as normal festive mood cravings for fizzy drinks, food and sweet things later turned out to be symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, a condition he has had to live with ever since. Even in the few weeks preceding the Christmas holidays, Tino started losing weight and developing an insatiable appetite for fluids and sweet…

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Calls for Africa to Scale Up Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease to Address Growing Burden Get Louder

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Globally, about 8 Million people live with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), according to the Lancet 2023 data. The disease is largely prevalent in populations with ancestral ties to Sub-Saharan Africa, regions in the Western Hemisphere namely, South America, the Caribbean, and Central America), Saudi Arabia, India and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Sickle Cell Disease is a lifelong chronic disease and most of the children born with the disease in Sub-Saharan Africa struggle to access services due to lack of diagnostic tools, and proven…

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Communities A Vital Cog In Addressing Severe NCDs In Africa-Dr Benido

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), continue to exert unwarranted pressure on Africa’s healthcare system, with data from the 2022 World Health Organisation (WHO) NCDs progress monitor estimating that between 50 percent and 88 percent of deaths being recorded in seven African countries, mostly small island nations, are due to non-communicable disease. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 calls for all Member States to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third in 2030 through prevention, treatment and promoting mental health and well-being. However, over the years,…

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NCDs In African Children Put On The Spotlight As Inaugural ICPPA Conference Kicks Off In Tanzania

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania The First International Conference on the PEN-Plus Regional Strategy to Address Severe Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa (ICPPA), has commenced in Tanzania, amidst calls for increased investment towards prevention, research and care for childhood NCDs. The four-day confrence is running from April 23 to  April 25 2024, under the theme, “Prioritising Person-Centered Approach to Chronic and Severe NCDs-Type 1 Diabetes, Sickle Cell Diseases, and Childhood Heart Diseases.” The conference is being hosted by the  Tanzania Ministry of Health in Tanzania and the…

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