Cholera Spreads like Veld Fire in Zimbabwe’s Rural Communities

WHILE previous Cholera outbreaks in Zimbabwe were recorded in urban areas where there is poor water and sanitation services, the obtaining Cholera outbreak seem to be spreading fast in rural communities. By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe reported its first Cholera case in February this year in Chegutu before the outbreak spread to the country’s 10 provinces. The outbreak at some point subsided, only to resurface in Buhera, Manicaland province, where majority of those dying and contracting the diseases are white garment sect members according to government. As of October, 20 2023,…

Read More

One Stop Centres as Key Accelerators Towards Zimbabwe’s Progress To End AIDS By 2030

Women and girls who experience Gender Based Violence (GBV) are at high risk of contracting HIV. According to UN Women, GBV is a risk factor for HIV infection, and a consequence of stigma. Addressing violence and gender inequality is therefore essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and protecting the human rights of all people to safety, equality and the highest attainable standard of health. By Michael Gwarisa For Roselyn Magaso* 24, from Ngangu, Chimanimani, having been married at the age of 16, she experienced all forms of abuse at the…

Read More

Zimbabwe Government cracks head over untraceable Cholera origins

THE cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe has no epidemiological link to any country in the region or any place that has recorded cholera cases, meaning the local environment could be heavily contaminated and harbouring volumes of Cholera pathogens, a top health official has warned. By Michael Gwarisa This according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), poses an even bigger challenge as it was now difficult to locate the actual source of Cholera and control its spread on time. The First Cholera case was reported and recorded on February…

Read More

Delivering As One Post Cyclone Idai Devastation…The Road To Recovery For Cyclone Idai Survivors

PETER Mutisi, a Cyclone Idai survivor from Kopa, Chimanimani lost his wife, house and entire business empire to the disaster. For the past two years, he has been struggling to cope with the fact that all he had worked for and the person he loved the most disappeared right in front of his eyes and he couldn’t do anything about it. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Chimanimani “Everything happened so fast, we receive plenty of rainfall every year in these parts and on the fateful night, that is March 15,…

Read More

A Doctor with a heart of Gold

GUARDIAN angels come in many forms and for Nyasha Chripasi (17) from Saziya village who was born with a disability, her prayers were answered the day she met Dr Tapiwa Nyamangodo, the Clinical Supervisor for the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP) working the World Health Organisation in Chimanimani. By Michael Gwarisa Dr Nayamangodo has been leading a team of health and medical experts who were working under the ZIRP integrated health project where an array of services were being offered to Cyclone Idai survivors in Chimanimani district in Manicaland. Under…

Read More

Post Cyclone Idai Depression Stalks Chimanimani

News chronic ailments cases recorded Both health workers and affected communities need psychosocial support FARAI Jochoma is by no doubt the most famous fast food dealer in Ngangu, Chimanimani. His makeshift food spot is a hive of activity throughout the day as foodies and local youths gather at his place to buy food or play a game of pool. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Chimanimani His heavily built stature and ever laughing personality hides a story.  A story that is born out of pain, grief and loss of friends and…

Read More

Malnutrition Spikes In Cyclone Idai Hit Communities

CHIPINGE District Hospital is battling increased cases of malnutrition emanating from Chimanimai, some parts of Chipinge and Mozamabique which were hit by the tropical cyclone idai, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa in Chipinge Speaking to Journalists during the Post Cyclone Idai assessment media tour which was organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNDP and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Chipinge District Acting Medical Officer (DMO), Dr Ozimmo Matekenya said the malnutrition crisis was most prevalent in children and babies under the age of five. In…

Read More