HealthTimes

School children standing in a queue outdoors in Gwanda, Zimbabwe
OP ED Opinion & Analysis

Making Child Protection Services More Child-Friendly in Zimbabwe

healthTimesco

Tanaka Musungwini Child protection systems are designed to safeguard children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence. In Zimbabwe, notable progress has been made through structures such as the National Case Management System (NCMS), Childline Zimbabwe, and community-based child protection committees. However, while these systems are functional, they are often protection-focused rather than child-sensitive, meaning they

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Editorial infographic showing around 30 airplane silhouettes against a dark, dramatic sky, representing the estimated 20,000 children killed in the Middle East since October 2023. Headline space on the right reads “20,000 Children Killed Since October 2023” with subheading “The equivalent of more than 30 fully loaded passenger planes.”
Global Health Opinion Opinion & Analysis

If These Children Were on Planes, the World Would Never Look Away

Michael Gwarisa

Michael Gwarisa Visualise this: the world’s largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, a double-deck giant capable of carrying more than 500 people. Now imagine one crashing, killing every child on board. Now imagine it happening again and again, more than thirty times. That is roughly the scale of the estimated 20,000 children killed across Gaza,

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Zimbabwe medical aid comparison 2026 – showing different healthcare providers and entry-level plan options.
Features Health Financing Opinion & Analysis

Medical Aid Costs in Zimbabwe: Who Offers the Cheapest and Most Expensive Coverage?

Michael Gwarisa

Michael Gwarisa In Zimbabwe, the majority of people face significant barriers to accessing health insurance. Over 80% of the population do not have any form of medical coverage, according to official data from the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ). Only about 10% of Zimbabweans are currently enrolled in medical aid schemes or other

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ChatGPT Image Jan 9 2026 11 13 33 AM
Indepth Analysis Science & Innovation

Blood Group O in Zimbabwe: Why Hospitals Can Never Have Enough

Michael Gwarisa

Michael Gwarisa As 2026 began, the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) reported that the country’s blood banks were facing shortages. Unfortunately, this is not a new problem. Blood shortages have become a recurring challenge in Zimbabwe, affecting hospitals and clinics across the country. A healthy blood bank should maintain at least five days’ supply

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PARL
Child & Adolescent Health OP ED Opinion & Analysis

View Once! About Time Zimbabwe Issues a Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

Michael Gwarisa

Michael Gwarisa The advent of social media has brought with it numerous opportunities, mostly for young and middle-aged people across the globe. Unlike in previous decades when employment meant sitting behind a desk or sweating it out at a construction site or manufacturing firm, today all one needs is a smartphone, a computer, or a

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Non Communicable Disease OP ED

World Cancer Day 2026: Africa Should Emulate Sweden’s Proven Blueprint to Reduce Smoking-Related Cancer

healthTimesco

Joseph Magero Due to declining smoking rates, Sweden has the lowest mortality from all cancers among men in the EU and an overall cancer incidence that is 41% lower than the EU average, offering a stark contrast to Africa. Across Africa, smoking-related diseases continue to place a heavy burden on public health systems, with cancer

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A symbolic respectful illustration of a woman standing alone in a quiet clinic hallway soft lighting muted colors serious tone human rights editorial style no graphic content
OP ED Opinion & Analysis Safe Abortion

No Woman Dreams of Motherhood Born of Violence

healthTimesco

By Maceline Mukwamba, Director, Adult Rape Clinic By the time a girl or woman gathers the courage to report rape, the clock has often already worked against her. Research in Zimbabwean communities finds that the majority of sexual abuse goes unreported, with cultural norms, fear of stigma, and protective attitudes toward perpetrators cited as major

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ChatGPT Image Jan 13 2026 08 44 07 AM
Opinion & Analysis Safe Abortion

All Eyes on the Senate: Can Zimbabwe Modernise Its Termination of Pregnancy Law Through Evidence and Consensus

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In October 2025, Zimbabwe’s National Assembly approved far-reaching amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] of 1977. The proposed changes, introduced through the Medical Services Amendment Bill, 2025, now await consideration by the Senate before possible presidential assent. The outcome will determine whether Zimbabwe aligns its reproductive health laws with

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Africa Opinion & Analysis Tobacco Harm Reduction

Africa’s Nicotine Moment: What to Watch in 2026

healthTimesco

By Joseph Magero As Africa moves into 2026, the continent is quietly becoming one of the most consequential battlegrounds for the future of tobacco harm reduction. With a fast-growing population, limited healthcare capacity, and millions of adult smokers, policy decisions taken in the next year will determine whether smoking declines rapidly or remains entrenched for

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Bus accident
Non Communicable Disease Opinion & Analysis

Zimbabwe’s Deadliest Epidemic Is on the Roads: A Call to Save Lives in 2026

healthTimesco

By Dr Grant Murewanhema Road traffic accidents have become a problem of major public health concern in Zimbabwe over the past few years, competing or surpassing some of the serious diseases in claiming the lives of people. More often than not, they claim the lives of young and able-bodied people with the potential to contribute

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