Category: Opinion

Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe: Guardians of Healthcare Standards and Patient Rights

Healthtimes

The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s health by regulating private and public health institutions.  Beyond its regulatory function, HPA is also instrumental in promoting and protecting patient rights through its oversight of the Patients Charter of Zimbabwe. This article unpacks HPA’s mandate and delves into the key tenets of the Patients Charter, empowering citizens to understand their rights within the healthcare system. HPA’s Mandate Health Facility Registration Health Professions Authority registers and regulates private and public health institutions to ensure set…

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Obstetric Violence: A sinister form of GBV against pregnant children

Chipo Tsitsi Mlambo

By Chipo Tsitsi Mlambo On November 26, 2024, as I prepared to address the issue of obstetric violence against pregnant children, a significant case emerged. Sixteen-year-old Tariro* (not her real name) went into labor and arrived at the home of one of our Purple Door Advocates, who promptly escorted her to the local clinic. A few hours later, I received a call from our community advocate informing me that Tariro had been advised her baby was too large for a normal delivery and required a C-section at the hospital. To…

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The investment case for diabetes care for rural Zimbabwean women

Dr Nyasha Manyeruke

By Dr Nyasha Manyeruke The Zimbabwean healthcare system is currently battling a strategic funding gap towards the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes (World Health Organisation, 2020). Any increase in national budgetary allocation towards addressing this growing public health threat, must take into consideration the existent intersectional endemicity of communicable diseases, El-nino drought, current economic contraction and historic marginalisation of women (UN Women, 2022). In this article, I discuss the evidence supporting the call to increase investment towards a diabetes primary health intervention focused on reproductive age women…

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Global Gag Rule Returns: A Threat to Women and Girls’ Sexual and Reproductive Health

Edinah Masiyiwa

By Edinah Masiyiwa On the 20th of January, the day that Donald Trump was sworn in as the president of the United States of America, I was really moved by the title of an article on the Safe Abortion Action Fund site which read, “We Wish US Politics Didn’t Have a Big Impact on Global Abortion Access, But it Does.” I agree. Since 1984, every U.S. Republican president has introduced the “global gag rule” which restricts funding for organisations which support or provide abortion. The Global Gag Rule, also known…

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The National Security Risk of Relying on Foreign Funding for HIV Programs

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The global landscape of humanitarian aid has been increasingly uncertain, particularly in the wake of political changes in key donor countries. A recent example is the shift in U.S. foreign aid policy under President Donald Trump, who signed multiple executive orders that limited funding to international health programs, including HIV/AIDS. These moves have left many countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, scrambling to find alternatives to ensure the continuation of vital healthcare services. Zimbabwe, like many of its neighbors, has found itself in a precarious position, dependent…

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In 2025, Lets Unite In Tackling Gender-Based Violence and Child Marriages In Zimbabwe

Edinah Masiyiwa

By Edinah Masiyiwa During the final weeks of 2024, two events made me think deeply about gender-based violence and what more we can do in 2025 to address it. The first was a film screening organized by the British Embassy titled India’s Daughter. The film tells the story of Jyoti Singh, a 23-year-old medical student who was brutally assaulted by a group of men on a minibus while returning home from watching a movie. She succumbed to her injuries a few days later. As the film played, the room was…

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Alcon Celebrates One Year of Advancing Eye Care Through its Phaco Development Program in Africa

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today commemorated the first anniversary of its African Phaco Development Program (PD). This milestone reflects the program’s significant achievements across South Africa, Kenya, and Zambia, with plans for further regional expansion. Alcon remains committed to the principle of “Skill Africa, by Africa, for Africa,” as it continues to enhance healthcare capacity and improve access to eye care across the continent. According to the World Health Organization1, over 110 million people in Africa suffer from…

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 Youth Urged to Lead the Fight Against Drug and Substance Abuse

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere Zimbabwean youth should take a leading role in combating drug and substance abuse, a Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training official said on Friday. Speaking at the launch of the 14th SAYWHAT Students’ Conference and the “3D – Don’t Drug Your Dreams Away Campaign,” Deputy Director Mr. Osward Mudhunguyo emphasized the critical role of youth in addressing this challenge. Our young people should be at the heart of this battle. As the most affected group, you have a unique and powerful role to play in…

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HRF donates ICT equipment to Public Health Emergency Operation Centre

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere The Health Resilience Fund (HRF), through one of its implementing partners, the World Health Organization (WHO), has given to the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre some ICT equipment worth US$90 000 for better real-time data collection in the preparedness and response of public health emergencies. Officiating the handover ceremony, Health and Child Care Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze in a speech read on his behalf by Acting Public Health Chief Director Dr Jaensch Mutede said the equipment would go a long away for prompt updates amidst…

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PSH Hosts Chiefs Indaba To Commemorate 16 Days Of Activism Against GBV

Kuda Pembere

By Kuda Pembere in Mazowe Population Solutions for Health (PSH) engaged traditional chiefs from some parts of the country on gender-based violence and child marriages issues where it emerged Mashonaland Central ranked highest in the country. The 16 days of Activism against GBV chiefs indaba held in Mazowe was graced by chiefs from Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East as well as the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe His Excellency Per Lindgarde. We welcome this program. As chiefs when it comes to the issue of child marriages, we refer the cases…

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