Tag: CWGH

Zim Gvt Should Issue COVID-19 Travel Ban To And From India As Deadly Second Wave Wrecks Havoc In India

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE’S health sector could crush to its knees if the mutant COVID-19 variant in India finds its way into the country, a Public Health Expert has warned. By Michael Gwarisa India is currently grappling with a second wave of the Coronavirus  and for the first times, India recorded more than 400,000 new COVID-19 cases over a period of 24 hours on Saturday while the country’s massive new vaccination drive was hampered in some areas by shortages of the shots. However, other countries such as Australia and Nigeria have already issued…

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CWGH Applauds Zim Malaria Control Interventions

Tanaka Moyo

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has commended strides  that have been made by the Zimbabwean government and partners such as Global Fund in the fight to end malaria. By Tanaka Moyo The Global Fund partnership provides 56% of all international financing for malaria and have invested more than US$13.5 billion in malaria control programs since the year 2002. In his their statement to celebrate this year’s Malaria day under the theme ‘Zero Malaria, Draw the line against Malaria’, CWGH’s Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said the partnerships between…

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Intensify COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccination of Teachers and Pupils Health Experts Warn

Patricia Mashiri

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Zimbabwe representative, Dr Alex Gasasira says there is need to support schools in ensuring they adhere to set COVID-19 prevention guidelines to avoid a spike in COVID-19 cases. By Patricia Mashiri The call comes hot on the heels of  the recent reopening of schools in the midst of concerns being raised by public health experts that the country could be headed for a catastrophic third wave in the midst of new COVID-19 strains. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr  Gasasira, said schools should be supported…

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Misinformation Could Hinder Vaccine Acceptance In Zim Communities-Experts

Michael Gwarisa

Even some health experts are still unsure of the vaccine HEALTH experts have warned that rolling out the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program without adequately engaging communities would hinder uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. By Michael Gwarisa The call comes in the wake of numerous conspiracy theories making rounds in communities which if not dispelled, would derail the nationwide vaccination process. At the forefront of covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theories in Zimbabwe are renowned religious leaders, some politicians and opinion leaders in communities. Public Health Expert and Epidemiologist, Dr Grant Murewanhema said as…

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Relying On Donor Funding Threatens UHC Attainment in Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

COMMUNITY Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director, Mr. Itai Rusike says the current scenario whereby the health sector is heavily reliant on donor funding was unsustainable. By Michael Gwarisa Addressing media training of Health Budgeting reporting, Mr Rusike said the country’s vision of attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) was hanging by a thread owing to poor funding towards the healthcare sector and should donors one day pull the plug, Zimbabwe could be found in an even worse health situation. When the Global Fund is no longer able to fund…

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President must appoint Minister of Health and a Substantive Secretary of Health

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to urgently appoint a minister of Health and Substantive Secretary of Health. By Michael Gwarisa CWGH Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said the health ministry can not continue to run on auto pilot. Without a Minister of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) and a substantive Secretary for Health, surely the health ministry is on auto-pilot drive. And the situation on the ground is telling. That there is no Minister of Health to lead from the front to deal…

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Naming & Shaming Quarantine Escapees Fuel COVID-19 Stigma

Michael Gwarisa

IN as much as disclosure of names and details of quarantine escapees is good for managing and controlling the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, the practice fuels stigma and discrimination for escapees and COVID-19 affected and infected individuals, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH)  has warned. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, CWGH Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said as an organization, they abhor the naming and shaming of people who escape from the country’s quarantine centres by government as this excerbates and entrenches stigma and discrimination against the escapees…

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Gvt Criticised For Dumping COVID-19 Expenses On Citizens

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has taken a swipe at government for imposing mandatory testing and wearing of face masks for citizens and employees without putting in place measures to ensure the services are available to citizens at subsidized rates or no cost at all. By Michael Gwarisa A survey conducted by HealthTimes indicates that a COVID-19 test at a private health facility is within the range of US$25 and US$50 per worker whereas in some instances, some facilities are charging between US$60 and US$70 per employee. According…

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CWGH Salutes Zim Front-line Health Workers Fighting COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Community Working Group On Health (CWGH) has paid tribute to health workers at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle despite Zimbabwe’s health delivery system being in shambles. By Michael Gwarisa In their workers day solidarity day message, CWGH Executive Director Mr Itai Rusike said it was high time government recognizes health workers and pay meaningful and livable wages. This year’s national Worker’s Day theme; “Stop Covid-19 Pandemic: Scale up social protection and dialogue, save jobs and pay a living wage”, befits the current environment which emphasizes stopping the spread…

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Consult Before Extending Lockdwon, Health Experts Warn

Michael Gwarisa

PUBLIC health experts have called on President Emerson Mnangagwa to consult various stakeholders from all sectors before instituting a lockdown extension. By Michael Gwarisa Even though President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not announced any plans to extend the Lockdown, various sections of the economy believe an extension should not be a copy and paste scenario. Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director, Mr Itai Rusike said the lockdown extension needs extensive consultations lest innocent lives will be endangered especially those who rely heavily on the informal sector. The lockdown extension…

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