USAID Archives - HealthTimes

USAID Extends US$2 Million To WFP To Address Urban Food Insecurity

July 13, 2023July 13, 2023 Healthtimes

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a US$2 million contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support more than 2,000 vulnerable families in three urban areas over the next year. By Staff Reporter Under the initiative, WFP and partners will create community assets and develop vulnerable families’ skills to boost livelihood opportunities. Communities will benefit from communal assets such as greenhouses and income-generation activities. As part of the activities, WFP will provide internal savings and lending (ISAL) training to boost financial literacy among…

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Decolonising HIV Research through the MATRIX

May 21, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

FOUR decades ago, the HIV virus was discovered and since then, millions of lives have been lost as a result. With no cure in sight as yet, a number of innovations have been developed to either prevent and or reduce chances of getting infected with the HIV virus. By Michael Gwarisa This has seen cases of new HIV infections and deaths reducing and now more than ever, People Living with HIV (PLHIV) live long and fulfilling lives just like anyone else. The number of children being born with HIV has…

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Incapacitated DR-TB Patients Bear The Brunt of Catastrophic Costs

March 24, 2023March 24, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

Nqobizitha Nkomo and his wife from Insiza District in Matebeleland South, were both diagnosed of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) about a year ago. Even though they say they are feeling better, Nkomo recounts how their situation almost reduced them to beggars of some sort in their quest to sustain their treatment and recovery journey. By Michael Gwarisa Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is a form of tuberculosis which has developed resistance to the main medicines used to treat TB. This form of TB can be resistant to one or more anti-TB medicines.…

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USAID, Mercy Corps Announce USD3 million Food Security Project For Zim

March 22, 2023March 22, 2023 Kuda Pembere

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its ELEVATE project has availed US$3 million to alleviate food insecurity in Makoni, Mutasa and Mutoko districts. By Kuda Pembere The project to be implemented by Mercy Corps, a humanitarian organisation will run for a year targeting 27 844 food insecure households. “ELEVATE focuses on improving the immediate and long-term access and availability of food for vulnerable communities, helping communities cope, adapt, and thrive in the face of shocks and stresses. The project builds on decades of work between USAID and…

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Condoms “Too Small” For Some Zimbabwean Men says MP

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

MUFAKOSE Legislator, Honorable Susan Matsunga has asked government, the National AIDS Council (NAC) and all partners involved in the procurement and distribution of condoms to consider the size of sexual organs for some Zimbabwean men whenever they place orders from manufactures overseas. By Michael Gwarisa She made these remarks during a question and answer session at a High Level Advocacy Meeting to Discuss Bottlenecks Affecting the Condom Market in Zimbabwe that was held in Harare weeks ago. I am an MP in my constituency and I get feedback from the…

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US Government Injects US$54 Million Towards FACT’S DREAMS SMART Girls and Space for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Programs

November 10, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

The Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT-Zimbabwe) and its partners with funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched critical programs worth more than US$54 million to help fight HIV in Manicaland and Masvingo. By Michael Gwarisa The programs are Sustaining Prevention, Increasing Access to Care and Empowerment for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (SPACE for OVC) and the DREAMS- Support, Maintain, Advocate, reduce Risk and Transform (SMART) Girls. Representing the Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister, Mr Pastense Tarondwa, said…

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Over 6,000 Children and Young People Virally Suppressed through Zvandiri’s Game-changer Project

October 3, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE Game-Changer program that was being implemented by Zvandiri, through a five year US$20 Million grant support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID and the Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) has resulted in the consistent uptake of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has attained 94% Viral Load (VL) suppression. By Michael Gwarisa Among some of the key achievements of the Fame Changer project include a Viral Load (VL) Coverage of 74% (6800/9191) and cumulatively, Zvandiri supported 412 health facilities on the Game Changer grant with over…

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Zim ready for long term injectable PrEP-MoHCC

July 10, 2022 Healthtimes

IN a bid to increase adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) said it welcomes obtaining studies to advance prevention therapy through long term injectable Pre-Exposure prophylaxes medications. By Staff Reporter This follows the approval of Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension) in 2021 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This will be taken in at-risk adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kilograms (77 pounds) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV. However, in Zimbabwe, current…

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Outcry As Major Funders Pull The Plug On Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Rollout

May 27, 2022May 27, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

A cloud of uncertainty has gripped the envisaged roll-out of the Vaginal ring or Dapivirine ring in Sub-Saharan Africa amidst indications that two of the major funding partners, the USAID and PEPFAR won’t be paying for the rollout of the ring but will now only support implementation studies. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes despite some progress that had been registered on the African continent where some governments had already approved use of the Dapivirine ring as a method of preventing new HIV infections in women. Zimbabwe and South Africa…

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Manicaland Child Marriage Survivors Find Solace In Economic Strengthening Programs

April 3, 2022April 4, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

DUE to economic hardships and prolonged schools closure at the back of recurrent COVID-19 induced lockdowns, Marvelous Tsambe* (16) from Chikore Village in Chimanimani entered into an early child marriage at the age 14 as an escape from the challenges back home. However, to her surprise, marriage did not bring the much anticipated economic escape. By Michael Gwarisa in Manicaland Just like most girls her age in her area, Marvelous fell for Majoni-Joni or those young men who illegally cross the border to work in South Africa. Whenever they return…

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