By Vivian Mugarisi Harare, Zimbabwe – 51-year-old Kay Mabika** adheres to her HIV medication. Testing positive for HIV in 2006 added more weight and complexities onto the burden of living with diabetes, which she was diagnosed with 4 years earlier. Despite being strict in adhering to antiretroviral treatment (ART), Mabika struggles to manage her diabetic condition and is worried that she may not even be able to afford the medication when she retires. Due to the diabetic condition, she lost her sight in her left eye and the right one…
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Zimbabwe Hosts Workshop on Integrating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Mental Health Components in HIV Programming for Global Fund
Harare, Zimbabwe – Representatives from Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, whose funding request proposals are due for submission to the Global Fund, are meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe from 19-21 April 2023. The meeting gives these high impact countries a chance to integrate Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Mental Health components in their proposals. The workshop is being hosted by the Government of Zimbabwe with financial and technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS. The meeting marks a step up in action towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC)…
Read MoreZim Global Fund Indaba Spotlights Triple Threat Of HIV,TB and NCDs
ZIMBABWE is currently meeting other African countries in Harare for the Global Fund Regional workshop to support countries with integrating NCDs and mental health into their funding request proposals to the Global Fund. By Michael Gwarisa The three day meeting is being attended by delegates from Ministries of Health from the African region, partners, and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) from Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Various speakers who during the official opening day concured that while there have been huge investments towards HIV, TB and malaria response through…
Read MoreInfertility on the rise in Zimbabwean Men
THERE is currently an increase in infertility in Zimbabwe owing to a myriad of factors ranging from anatomical, environmental, dietary/weight and physiological factors, reproductive health experts have warned. By Michael Gwarisa Infertility, which is defined clinically as failure to conceive after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse affects approximately 48.5 million couples globally. Data from a cross section study by consultant Obstetrician, Dr Mugove Madziyire et al which explored “The causes of infertility in women presenting to gynaecology clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe” shows that half of the causes…
Read MoreAddressing Non-communicable diseases (diabetes) in Zimbabwe: Taking the bull by the horns
According to the World Health Organisation (2021), noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions of long term duration caused by genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors. The World Health Organisation (2021) estimates that NCDs account for 41 million deaths globally each year which is 71% of all deaths globally and of these 85% occur in low and middle-income countries including Zimbabwe. By Enock Musungwini This opinion piece focuses on diabetes as the NCD of interest particularly type 2 diabetes as it accounts for 92% of all diabetes cases globally. Diabetes is…
Read MoreStakeholders Push For National TB In The Workplace Policy
THE Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe, Parliament, the private sector and other key stakeholders have amplified calls to have a national Workplace TB policy which will guide the implementation of TB and wellness programs in the workplace. By Michael Gwarisa in Kwekwe Even though most companies in the private sector have wellness policies in place, TB stakeholders believe a standalone TB policy framework would ensure the diseases is prioritized and given the attention it deserves. Speaking during a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Engagement Meeting that was hosted by the Stop TB…
Read MoreZimbabwe amongst African Countries with Highest Tobacco Related Deaths in Females
THE 7th edition of the Tobacco Atlas report has placed Zimbabwe in the top 1o list of countries with the highest tobacco related deaths in females on the African continent. By Michael Gwarisa The deaths are linked to the increased prevalence in smoking habits at the back of affordability of tobacco products and aggressive marketing by in Africa by tobacco companies. According to the 7th edition of Tobacco Atlas report, with its rapidly growing populations and rising life expectancy, an increase in the number of smokers combined with more years…
Read MoreZimbabwe’s Aged Persons on ARVs at Greater Risk of NCDs
HIV and AIDS is slowly becoming an ageing issue in Zimbabwe with indications that majority of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) are those above the age of 50 and are at greater risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). By Michael Gwarisa Even though the country has been recording a number of new infections amongst young girls and women, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has raised concern over the concentration of PLHIV and ART clients in the 50 and above age range and…
Read MoreRoad Accidents Deaths Now Equivalent To TB Deaths
STAKEHOLDERS advocating for a reduction in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) related deaths and conditions have expressed concern over the ever increasing number of deaths from road or traffic accidents over the years. By Patson Gumbo Speaking during an Africa Road Safety Commemorations Day workshop that was hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with Road Safe Zimbabwe, WHO Technical Officer, Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr. Edmore Munongo said road accident deaths were now comparable to some deadly NCDs such as Tuberculosis (TB), with young people mainly between the ages of 15-29…
Read MoreZimbabwe Red Cross Holds NCDs Awareness Schools Competition
THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society has successfully hosted the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Arts Festival with the aim of raising awareness and teaching children on the dangers of leading sedentary lifestyles and adopting dangerous habits that could lead to a high NCDs burden in the future. By Michael Gwarisa The competitions were in two phase with the provincial competitions having been held first followed by the national competitions for those who would have won the provincial competitions. There were five categories which saw pupils from various schools battling it out in…
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