Itai Josh Rusike Archives

Senior Doctors Summoned For Disciplinary Hearings

November 27, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

GOVERNMENT has summoned at least 57 senior doctors who downed tools yesterday demanding the reinstatement of the 488 junior doctors who have been fired by government to date. By Michael Gwarisa Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) president Dr Shingai Nyaguse told HealthTimes this morning that government was not acting in good faith but was instead pursuing retribution. Instead of addressing our concerns, they have summoned senior doctors to disciplinary hearings instead. It is unfortunate that they have focused on the punitive disciplinary measures and have done nothing to address the…

Traditional Midwives Not Allowed In Zim Says Gvt

November 20, 2019November 21, 2019 Michael Gwarisa

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) does not encourage traditional midwives to deliver babies nor offer maternal health related services to pregnant women, a top government official has warned. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes in the wake of what has been described as “heroic works” of one Mbare traditional midwife, Mrs Esther Gwena who has since delivered more than 100 babies at her home. However, the babies are being delivered in the absence of critical health sundries such as, disinfectants, safe delivery kits, running water and proper…

2018 Top 10 Health Champions

December 11, 2018December 12, 2018 NewsRoom

THE issue of health is very diverse as it covers a vast area ranging from HIV/AIDS, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), maternal health, nutrition, gender rights, human health rights among a host of others. The year 2018 has been a turbulent one for Zimbabwe following a series of woes which bedeviled the health sector. Since the beginning of the year, the country has experienced at least three cholera outbreaks with the first one having been reported in Chegutu, then came the Harare one and the…

Open letter To President Elect ED By The CWGH

August 9, 2018 NewsRoom

The New Government must prioritise strengthening of Primary Health Care to achieve Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals Now that the elections are over, the people of Zimbabwe expect the fulfilment of the election manifesto, in which you promised massive improvement in health infrastructure; more health personnel; accessible and affordable medicines; free medical care for cancer patients; at least one hospital per district, improved health services in resettlement areas, reduction of hospital fees by 50% and pursuing the Health for All policy, among others. As Community Working Group…

Cholera Outbreak Exposes Gvt’s Lack Of Political Will- CWGH

January 24, 2018 NewsRoom

THE prevailing Cholera outbreak which surfaced in Chegutu last week, killing at least five people, leaving others hospitalized has exposed government’s lack of political will and desire to solve the recurring Cholera outbreaks, a top community health expert has said. By Michael Gwarisa In a statement, Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director, Itai Rusike said government was not doing enough to bring finality to the Cholera nuisance and such an approach could pave way to an even worse Cholera crisis. “The latest outbreak of cholera in Chegutu and…

WHO Worried Over Public Health Bill Delay

September 6, 2017 NewsRoom

By Michael Gwarisa THE World Health Organisation (WHO) says the continued delay in finalizing the Public Health Bill was an embarrassment for Zimbabwe as it exposes lack of will by the executive to turnaround fortunes of the health sector. Speaking on the sidelines of the UHC2030 Civil Society engagement workshop, WHO’s Dr Stanely Midzi bemoned the delay and called on government to speed up the Public health Bill’s promulgation before the current parliament’s term lapses as this might further delay the process. “The new public health document is a brilliant…

Health Act Should Legalise Health Centre Committees- CWGH

July 14, 2017 NewsRoom

By Michael Gwarisa COMMUNITY Working Group on Health (CWGH) Executive Director Itai Josh Rusike says the new Public Health Act (PHA) should recognise Health Centre Committees (HCCs) as legal entities as they are a critical tool in enhancing Primary Health Care services. In an interview with HealthTimes on the sidelines of a Media Engagement of the PHA, Rusike said it was worrying that HCCs were operating as illegal entities despite their positive contribution to the national health sector. Also Read: Minister Parirenyatwa Explains Public Health Bill Delay “Health Centre Committees…