Tag: Dr. Alex Gasasira

Zim launches new National Eye Health Strategy

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe has launched its new National Eye Health Strategy to quell the growing burden of eye diseases in the country. By Kudakwashe Pembere Speaking at the official launch at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Wednesday, Vice President and Health and Child Care Minister Dr Constantino Chiwenga said this strategy for the period 2021 to 2025 comes at a time when the country is aiming to provide accessible, timely and quality eye services to all, in need of care in Zimbabwe. In addition, my Ministry is calling for additional investments required…

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WHO Urges Previously Vaccinated Children below 5 Years To Get Measles Vaccines

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Alex Gasasira has advised parents to take their children for vaccination regardless of their previous vaccination status. By Catherine Murombedzi The call comes in the midst of a raging Measles outbreak that since claimed 698 lives and infected a cumulative total of 6 291 Cases, while 4 459 have recovered. Speaking in a telephone interview, Dr Gasasira said children between 6 months to under 5 years should be vaccinated irrespective of prior vaccination status. “We urge parents and guardians to bring all…

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Shot In The Arm for Zimbabwe’s Healthcare Sector

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Care (MoHCC) has received a donation of medical equipment from the United Kingdom (UK) government and Northern Ireland and the United Nations (UN) donor agencies, through support from the Japanese government that will improve the management of COVID-19 as well as maternal healthcare services in the country’s healthcare system.  Michael Gwarisa Through the US$1.3 million that was mobilized the by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from the Government of Japan, the MoHCC received eight ambulances, anaesthetic machines, operating tables, delivery tables, ICU beds, infusion…

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Childhood Cancers Stalk Zimbabwe As 67 Children Die in 12 Months

Michael Gwarisa

EVEN though survival rate for childhood cancers in developing countries is hovering above 80%, chances of children surviving following a cancer diagnosis in Zimbabwe remain below 20% due to a myriad of factors ranging from late presentation of cases and failure to access quality care and treatment on time. By Michael Gwarisa Some of the childhood cancers affecting children the most in Zimbabwe include Leukemia, Neuroblastoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Retinoblastoma among others. Due to existing gaps to accessing care, survival chances for children remain depressed. Speaking at the World Cancer Day commemorations…

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Major Boost For Zimbabwe’s AMR Fight

Michael Gwarisa
AMR

ZIMBABWE has secured two flagship grants namely the Fleming Fund and Multi-Partner Trust Fund Grants to strengthen capacity through strengthening Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) detection and surveillance in the country. By Michael Gwarisa The two grants are being financed by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands governments. The UK is financing the Fleming Fund grant which is worth over US$5 Million and is being implemented and led by the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO). Officiating at the launch of the two grants which also coincided with the commissioning of the National Microbiology…

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Zimbabwe Told To Up Genomic Sequencing Game… As Omicron Outpaces Delta’s Infection Rate

Michael Gwarisa

FOLLOWING the detection of the Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant by South African scientists three weeks ago, it has emerged that the new strain could be infecting more people within a short space of time compared to the Delta strain which at some point was touted as the fastest growing variant. By Michael Gwarisa The Omicron variant, a highly mutated strain whose impact is feared could evade vaccine induced immunity and probably cause more severe symptoms, has to date been reported in 63 countries across the globe and in all continents…

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Who Urges People To Donate Blood

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Zimbabweans to donate blood and keep the blood bank fully stocked as it is an important health component necessary to save lives on daily basis. Staff Reporter Celebrating the World Blood Donor Day under the theme ‘Give Blood and keep the world beating, Dr Alex Gasasira,Z imbabwe WHO representative said around seven million patients in African countries require blood every year. Safe blood and transfusion are key aspects in providing quality care to save mothers haemorrhaging during child birth and people with…

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Partial Lockdown Applauded

Patricia Mashiri

HEALTH experts have welcomed the moved by government to put the country on a partial lockdown as means to curb the spread of the coronavirus. By Patricia Mashiri Dr Alex Gasasira, the World Health Organization Representative in Zimbabwe recently told the state media that government had taken a broad decision in announcing a partial lockdown as a way of avoiding an upsurge in COVID-19 cases. What the government of Zimbabwe is doing is in line with what the WHO recommends. It is necessary for governments to carefully review local evidence…

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The Clock Is Ticking, Time To End TB Is Now Says VP Chiwenga

Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called for collaboration in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) in the midst of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic which has largely disrupted TB programming and treatment efforts. By Michael Gwarisa According to preliminary data from the World Health Organization (WHO), a total 1.4 Million people  from over 80 countries faced challenges in accessing TB treatment in 2020, which is a reduction of 21% from 2019 and countries with the biggest relative gaps were Indonesia (42%), South Africa (41%), Philippines (37%) and…

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Health Ministry Receives Essential NCDs Management Equipment From WHO

Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has received a consignment of essential Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) medications and sundries from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in move set to intensify the fight against the increasing NCDs burden in the country. By Michael Gwarisa The donation of essential NCDs equipment also comes at a time the ministry of health and WHO are working on a new WHO NCD Risk Factor Survey. The last survey was done in 2005 which showed that the prevalence of hypertension in Zimbabwe was around 27%,…

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