Tag: SHINGAI GWATIDZO

Health Ministry Dismisses Viral Video Of Woman Claiming She Reacted To Vaccine

Michael Gwarisa

THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Medical Director (PMD),  Dr Maphios Siamuchembu has poured water on a video currently making rounds on social media of a 27 year old woman, Cleopatra Ncube from Cowdry Park in Bulawayo who claims to have developed an adverse reaction that led to her fingers and lower limbs drying up soon after getting jabbed with the Sinovac, a Chinese manufactured vaccine being administered in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa According to the viral video, Cleopatra took the vaccine on July 27, 2021 when health officials were conducting inoculations…

Read More

Exclusive!!! MCAZ Speaks On COVID-19 Vaccines Linked Reactions In Zim

Michael Gwarisa

ZIMBABWE commenced its national vaccination initiative in February, 2021, kickstarting a campaign that would later yield positive results in the country’s COVID-19 management matrix. Even though only 14% of the national population has been vaccinated to date, available Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) data shows that vaccination has been working in minimizing the risk of developing severe infections and deaths. However, since commencement of the national vaccination program, there has been speculation and skepticism around vaccination, vaccine hesitancy and vaccine phobia as citizens adopted a laid-back approach towards…

Read More

MCAZ Registers 202 New Medicines And Pharmaceutical Products

Michael Gwarisa

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has registered a total 202 pharmaceutical products and medicines over the past 12 months in a bid to expand treatment options for various diseases and health complications. By Michael Gwarisa According to MCAZ, 116 products were registered in 2020 while 86 were registered in 2021 while 34 medicines were rejected between 2020 and 2021. A total seven products were withdrawn under the same period. In an Interview with HealthTimes, MCAZ Projects and Public Relations Officer, Mr Shingai Gwatidzo said some of the medications…

Read More

#BREAKING: Dapivirine, Vaginal Ring Approved For Use In Zimbabwe

Michael Gwarisa

IN what is likely to be a major breakthrough for Zimbabwe’s HIV response, the Dapivirine or Vaginal Ring, a tool meant to expand HIV prevention options for women has been approved for use in Zimbabwe, HealthTimes has learnt. By Michael Gwarisa The Vaginal ring was submitted to the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) for review on March, 5 2021 and according to MCAZ procedures, approval for a medical drug or innovation usually takes between three months or a few years, depending on the completeness of the technical information that…

Read More

We Haven’t Approved Blanket Use Of Ivermectin In COVID-19 Treatment

Patricia Mashiri

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) have clarified their position regarding the use of Ivermectin human formulation in the treatment and management of COVID-19 saying they  had not approved its blanket use and they were still running trials to determine its safety and efficacy. By Patricia Mashiri In an interview with HealthTimes Shingai Gwatidzo, Programs and Public Relations Officer, said the authority was yet to reach a conclusion on whether ivermectin human formulations are safe, effective and can be used in C0VID-19 management. The Authority took note of the…

Read More

People Living With HIV Worried Over Expired ARVs…MCAZ Calls For Calm

Michael Gwarisa

PEOPLE living with HIV (PLHIV) have expressed concerns over failure by government and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to consult with them following the expiration of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. By Michael Gwarisa The development follows revelations that health institutions continued dispensing ARVs even after they had passed their shelf life. This has not  gone down well with PLHIV and on ART who  believe the consultation process should have started with them since they are the ones directly affected by any changes in the drugs. Speaking to HealthTimes, Mrs…

Read More