Medical Aid Costs in Zimbabwe: Who Offers the Cheapest and Most Expensive Coverage?
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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Blood Group O in Zimbabwe: Why Hospitals Can Never Have Enough
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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View Once! About Time Zimbabwe Issues a Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
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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World Cancer Day 2026: Africa Should Emulate Sweden’s Proven Blueprint to Reduce Smoking-Related Cancer
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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No Woman Dreams of Motherhood Born of Violence
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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All Eyes on the Senate: Can Zimbabwe Modernise Its Termination of Pregnancy Law Through Evidence and Consensus
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’s Nicotine Moment: What to Watch in 2026
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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Zimbabwe’s Deadliest Epidemic Is on the Roads: A Call to Save Lives in 2026
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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Surviving the Festive Season Without January Regrets
By Abigail Mudokwani The festive season is marked by a collective, almost scripted, narrative of joy, family reunions, and celebration. But for many, this season is not a straightforward story of happiness; it is a complex, double-edged sword! From a psychologist’s point of view, the festive season brings up many different feelings. Yes, there can
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Teen Pregnancies Are Not Recklessness. They Are a Sign of Silence, Stigma, and System Failure
Mildred Mushunje and Dean Mutata Why Zimbabwe must urgently invest in youth reproductive health and safe abortion care to unlock its demographic dividend Sub-Saharan Africa is recorded as having one of the world’s youngest populations, and Zimbabwe is a striking example. With adolescents and young people constituting roughly 60%–62% of the population, the country is
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