Op Ed Archives - HealthTimes

Challenging Online Post-Abortion Stigma in Zimbabwe: Advocating for Compassion

November 30, 2023November 30, 2023 Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau Introduction The discourse surrounding abortion remains a contentious and divisive topic worldwide, and Zimbabwe is no exception to the complexities that surround it. Recognising that the decision to undergo an abortion is deeply personal and multifaceted, individuals navigate this choice for various reasons. The subject is often marred by misinformation, disinformation, and pervasive stigma, posing significant hurdles for those seeking safe and reproductive healthcare. The social media space in Zimbabwe has become toxic toward young girls and women who undergo abortions. This editorial delves into the…

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To end the AIDS pandemic, let communities lead

November 30, 2023 Healthtimes

By Jane Kalweo – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has a fantastic opportunity. It can end the AIDS pandemic by 2030, by letting communities lead. Communities of people living with HIV or at risk of HIV are the drivers of progress in the AIDS response. They connect people to public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor the implementation of policies and services, and hold service providers accountable. For example, in Zimbabwe Community led organisations deliver services to their peers and employ peer led approaches to provide services to the most…

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Role of Guidelines in Reducing Unsafe Abortions

November 20, 2023 Dr Munyaradzi Murwirwa

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Background According to World Health Organisation (WHO), six out of 10 unintended pregnancies end up in induced abortions, with 45 percent of all abortions estimated to be unsafe globally. Thus, strengthening access to comprehensive abortion care (CAC) within the health care system is fundamental to meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to good health and wellbeing, and gender equality. In 2022, the WHO launched the new Abortion Care Guidelines to provide guidance for provision of comprehensive abortion care services (CAC) globally. Priority aspects of the…

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Combating Drug and Substance Abuse among School Children: A Fight for Everyone

October 30, 2023October 30, 2023 Olivia Ganya

By Olivia Ganya The scourge of drug and substance abuse plagues schools across our nation. Far too many promising young lives are being lost or derailed by the lure of illicit substances. However, there is hope – as a society, we can come together to protect our most vulnerable from facing this threat alone. Drug and substance abuse can have severe consequences on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of school children. It can impede their academic performance, disrupt social relationships, and lead to long-term health problems. Additionally, substance abuse…

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The Burden of Unsafe Abortions among Adolescent Girls

October 30, 2023November 28, 2023 Dr Munyaradzi Murwirwa

By Dr Munyaradzi Murwira Introduction Adolescents are a diverse group; their sexual and reproductive health needs and ability to meet those needs vary based on their life circumstances, including marital status and urban or rural residence. Adolescents often face a multitude of challenges in obtaining sexual and reproductive health services, including social stigma, judgmental attitudes of community, health care providers, financial constraints and lack of information. Key sexual reproductive health issues affecting youths include among others, STIs/HIV & AIDS, teenage pregnancies, unintended pregnancies, drug and substance abuse, and sexual gender…

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Decentralize Cancer Screening…Fund Treatment and Care

October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 Fiona Tinarwo

By Fiona Tinarwo In May this year, I had an opportunity to be part of a team that facilitated a mobile outreach clinic in Chimanimani in partnership with Mutambara Mission Hospital. One of the most important service on offer was cervical cancer screening. I met a number of women from the community and had a chance to speak to them about the importance of cervical cancer screening. One lady honestly spoke about life after getting screened and being diagnosed with cervical cancer. She literally spoke about how that could be…

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Discussing the intersection of abortion and gender equality

October 19, 2023October 19, 2023 Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau Recently, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Rishi Sunak, declared that ‘women are women and men are men.’ His comments added further controversy to the ongoing debate on gender equality and the rights of transgender individuals. However, this also presents an opportunity to interrogate issues related to gender equality, particularly on abortion. After all, the ability to control one’s body has been historically denied to women, for example, the right to when and not to have a child. Abortion, the termination of a pregnancy,…

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Protecting adolescents from unplanned pregnancies through access to comprehensive SRHR services

October 16, 2023October 16, 2023 Mildred Mushunje

By Dr Mildred T. Mushunje Adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health matters, and their lives matter!! Adolescents and young people constitute the bulge of population in the Sub-Saharan region, Zimbabwe in particular. An adolescent is any persons aged between 10 and 19 years. Very young adolescents are defined as those aged between 10 and 14 years and older adolescents as those aged between 15 and 19 years[1]. Investing in their good health and well-being increases their chances for better and more productive adult lives (SRHR Africa Trust, SAT, 2021[2]) yet they…

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Time To Put Back Teenage Pregnancy, Abortion On The Political Agenda

September 28, 2023 Edinah Masiyiwa

By Edinah Masiyiwa As we commemorate both the International Safe Abortion Day on the 28th September and World Contraception Day on the 26th of September, we should be sure to focus on the problem of early unintended pregnancies among girls ages 10 to 14 years. A few weeks ago, news of these early pregnancies was featured in different media of Zimbabwe thanks to a new survey conducted on the topic which revealed that the adolescent 10 to 19 years pregnancy rate is at 23%.. A United Nations Populations Fund report…

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The Role of Medical Professional Societies in Informing Communities on Maternal Health, Post-Abortion Care, and Abortion Laws Reform in Zimbabwe

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 Memory Kadau

By Memory Pamella Kadau Maternal health, post-abortion care (PAC), and abortion laws reform are critical issues that require comprehensive and accurate information dissemination to communities. In Zimbabwe, medical professional societies are crucial in informing and educating the public about these topics. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced new guidelines on abortion to help countries deliver lifesaving care. This article explores the significant role of medical professional associations in Zimbabwe in promoting maternal health, providing post-abortion care, and advocating for abortion laws reform. Further, it proposes how medical professional…

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