By Michael Gwarisa A University of Zimbabwe food scientist has warned that many exotic vegetables, such as lettuce and rape, contain significantly fewer micronutrients essential for growth and combating hidden hunger. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hidden hunger refers to malnutrition characterized by micronutrient deficiencies where individuals consume enough calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development. Speaking at a National AIDS Council (NAC) Editors and Station Managers Workshop recently, Dr. Batsi Chipurura from the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences at the…
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Africa CDC Hosts Mental Health Leadership Program In Harare to Address Growing Crisis in Africa
By Michael Gwarisa A 10-day Mental Health Leadership Program has kicked off in Harare, Zimbabwe, amid growing calls for governments to prioritize mental health as a public health emergency, HealthTimes has learned. The training program, aimed at equipping leaders from various sectors with the necessary skills and capacity to address the growing burden of mental health-related challenges on the continent, is being hosted by the University of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC). The programme is supported by Wellcome Trust and will run from…
Read MoreMeet Dr. Dhodho: The Once Sickly Village Boy Who Transformed Rural Zimbabwe’s HIV Response
By Michael Gwarisa He wears many hats. Dr. Efison Dhodho is currently the Knowledge Manager for the Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians, a dedicated researcher, and the Director for Strategic Information, Evaluation, Learning, and Information Technology Systems at the Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID). Born into a family of 13 as the fifth child, Dr. Dhodho recalls how his fragile health as a child necessitated moving to live with his mother, a rural nurse in Mwenezi District, while his siblings stayed with their father, a teacher.…
Read MoreUNFPA Partners with Social Workers and Universities to Strengthen GBV Response
By Michael Gwarisa The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced a strategic partnership with the Council of Social Workers, academic institutions, and government entities to enhance case management services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) under the Women at the Centre programme. The announcement was made on December 6, 2024, as part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Gender-based violence continues to plague Zimbabwe, with nearly one in two women experiencing physical or sexual violence. To address this crisis, the UNFPA initiative, funded by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, aims to…
Read MoreZimbabwe Underground Water Could Run Dry In Our Lifetime
UNREGULATED pumping and extraction of ground water for both domestic and industrial purposes is putting a strain of Zimbabwe’s underground water, with indications that the resource could deplete in the foreseeable future, water experts have warned. By Michael Gwarisa The warning comes in the wake of increased extraction of underground water due to unplanned urbanization which has resulted in the sprouting of new settlements where land developers and city authorities are settling people in areas where there are no basic amenities such as piped running water. Renowned Hydrologist with the…
Read MoreZim In Youth Population Bulge: Is Zimbabwe Ready to Harness This Demographic Change?
THE 2022 Population and Housing Census preliminary results have since been released with latest figures showing that the country has witnessed an annual population growth rate of 1.5%. Zimbabwe’s population was at 7.5 million people in 1982 and the latest statistics shows that it has taken 40 years for Zimbabwe’s population to double. By Michael Gwarisa According to population and demographics experts, at the current population growth rate, it will take Zimbabwe probably about 15 years to double to about 30 million people. According to the latest 2022 population and…
Read MoreUZ Seeks To Enhance Medicines Research Opportunities In Zimbabwe
THE University of Zimbabwe (UZ) is committed providing research opportunities in new medicines to its students so as to fulfill the Education 5.0 mandate which consist of teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialization. By Patricia Mashiri The new medicines research will among other things help ease the burden of drug importation, in the process aid in the reduction in drug prices. This means more people locally will have more access to medicines. Speaking at the National Dialogue on the Local Manufacture of Medicines in Zimbabwe, Professor Florence Mtambanengwe, the…
Read MoreUZ Commences Production Of Swabs For Collecting COVID-19 Samples
THE university of Zimbabwe (UZ) in partnership with a local company have begun manufacturing swabs which will used in collecting COVID-19 samples as the country moves towards increasing testing levels. By Michael Gwarisa In media brief, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa said the swabs have been submitted to the Ministry of Health and Child Care and to Natpharm for quality assurance tests. Additionally, Government continues to make strides in ensuring that the country’s preparedness and response plans are upgraded. As part of the efforts to boost…
Read MoreOxford, Wits Universities Conducting ÇOVID-19 Vaccine Trails
THE Oxford University is running COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials in collaboration with Wits University of South Africa. The vaccine was developed at the University of Oxford’s Oxford Jenner Institute and is currently on trial in the UK. Over 4 000 participants are already enrolled into the clinical trial and enrolment of an additional 10 000 participants is planned. The clinical trials are running in the UK, Brazil and South Africa. Why South Africa for vaccine trials? South Africa is the epicentre of COVID-19 in Africa. With 60% of the infections…
Read MoreUnesco Study Reveals Gaps in Condom Uptake and HIV testing In Zim Universities
A recent study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has revealed that there is still low uptake of condoms and HIV testing services among University Students in Zimbabwe despite the students being highly informed about the risks of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). By Michael Gwarisa The study dubbed the UNESCO HEARD report was produced under the leadership of the UNESCO HIV and Health Education Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr Patricia Machawira and Mr Remmy Shawa. The report indicates that even though there…
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