Tag: Ministry of health and child care

Repeated Oral Polio Vaccinations Safe, Crucial for Outbreak Response – MoHCC

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Amid growing concerns from parents and guardians over the frequent administration of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has assured the public that the vaccine is safe and necessary to halt transmission. Zimbabwe’s environmental surveillance detected a vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) strain circulating in sewage systems in Harare’s high-density suburbs, Budiriro, Mbare, and Mufakose, in 2023. In response, the Ministry has been conducting multiple rounds of vaccination campaigns targeting children under the age of 10. From February 4 to…

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Zimbabwe Records Over 600 Dog Bites in One Week

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has raised alarm over the increasing number of dog bites, with a significant proportion of these bites attributed to unvaccinated dogs. According to the Weekly Disease Surveillance Report for the week ending January 5, 2025, a total of 635 dog bite cases were reported, with no deaths recorded. Of these cases, 141 (22%) involved vaccinated dogs, 118 (18%) involved unvaccinated dogs, and 366 (60%) involved dogs of unknown vaccination status. In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr. Isaac Phiri, the…

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Empowering Midwives Through E-Learning: New Training Program Bridges Zimbabwe’s Healthcare Skills Gap

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa For the past nine years, Mutsa Katsidzira, 33, a nurse at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare, has practiced as a nurse. Although she finds her job fulfilling, she has always dreamed of a career in midwifery, where she could help pregnant women deliver safely. Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector has faced significant setbacks over the past decade. Skilled professionals, particularly nurses and midwives, have left the country in search of better working conditions and pay, leaving a critical gap in the healthcare system—especially in midwifery training. According to the…

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Zimbabwe Adolescent Health and Well-being Symposium becomes of age

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Adolescents and young people from various parts of Zimbabwe convened at Manna Safari Lodge in Harare to deliberate on various issues of young people’s health and well-being. Some of the key topics that were covered include improving access to adolescent-friendly health services, addressing mental health and wellbeing, promoting sexual and reproductive health education and supporting adolescent empowerment and development The event was co-created and co-convened by Young People, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), and My Age Zimbabwe with support from UNESCO Zimbabwe, SRHR Africa…

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CAB-LA Enjoys High Continuity Rates Among PrEP Users In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The recently introduced long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV prevention has seen more users returning to get the second dose post their first jab, with data showing that the injectable drug has recorded a continuity rate over 90% since roll out in April, 2024. Currently, the Injectable PrEP is being administered in PrEP study sites in Harare, Mature and Bulawayo and is targeting mainly groups at high risk of HIV, namely Female Sex Workers (FSW), Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Men who have Sex with other…

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The Daring Five: Zim Female Riders Break Glass Ceiling In Male-Dominated Specimen Transportation Industry

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Shamva She probably has the most beautiful smile in Shamva, but don’t let that fool you. Rosemary Sibanda is a goal-getter, confident, bold and aiming for greater heights in her career as a rider working under Zimbabwe’s Integrated Specimen Transportation System (IST). Being caregivers, women find it difficult to penetrate male-dominated fields, and in most cases, employers prefer males to females for certain roles. Despite the many years of female activism and women empowerment advocacy, the gender gap in the professional world has not been closed.…

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How Motorbikes Have Bridged Diagnostic and Specimen Collection Gap In Rural Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Gokwe, Nembudziya It’s around 12 midday, and the sun is blazing hot despite it being winter in Zimbabwe. There is not much activity, left for the chatter of a few old men seated around a pot of opaque beer at a nearby homestead. From a distance, a buzzing sound like that of bees or hornets approaches from the southern side of Kuwirirana Clinic, a health facility in Gokwe Nembudiziya. As the whirring gets closer, a Biker on a motorcycle emerges from a thick cloud of dust…

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Zimbabwe Blows ZW$12 Billion To Pay For J&J COVID-19 Vaccines That Were Never Used

Kuda Pembere

DESPITE failing to roll-out the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 Vaccines citing cold-chain  issues, the Zimbabwean government reportedly paid an amount to the tune of ZW$12 Billion  for the J&J doses in 2021. With the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) exchange rate of December 2020 stating US$1 to ZWL$82, this would amount to about US$147 million. By Kudakwashe Pembere The COVID-19 vaccination drive in Zimbabwe commenced in February 2021 to contain the disease. However, Dr Agnes Mahomva who was the COVID-19 Coordinator in the Office of the President and Cabinet…

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Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe Concludes Regional stakeholders Consultation meetings on UNHLM 2023

Michael Gwarisa

The Stop TB Partnership in Zimbabwe has just concluded a series of regional consultative meetings on the UNHLM 2023, in a bit to enhance the participation of communities and to sensitize, engage, and consult stakeholders in preparation for the UNHLM on TB to be held from September20 to  22, 2023. By Michael Gwarisa A total of three regional meetings were held in Harare (covering Harare Metropolitan, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central Provinces), Bulawayo (covering Bulawayo Metropolitan, Masvingo, Matebeleland North, Matebeleland South, and Midlands Provinces) and Mutare (covering Manicaland…

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Murehwa Hospital Installs Medical Oxygen Reticulation System

Michael Gwarisa

In a bid to improve timely access to medical oxygen for patients in need of critical care, Murehwa District Hospital has installed a piped Oxygen reticulation system in most of its wards at the facility. By Michael Gwarisa The installation replaces the old system of Oxygen Supply where they would procure Oxygen using Oxygen tanks, store the Oxygen at the facility, and in times of need, they would deliver or distribute it in the wards using Oxygen stands. Dr Joseph Taruona, the District Medical Officer (DMO) for Murehwa said the…

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