World Health Organisation Archives

Omicron Sub Variants Make Up 97.5% Of All New COVID-19 Cases In China

January 5, 2023January 5, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) which was recently in China to investigate the surge in new COVID-19 cases, has reported that Omicron still accounts for majority of infections together with its sub-variants BA.5.2 AND BF.7. By Michael Gwarisa The TAG-VE meets regularly to review the latest scientific evidence on circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and advises WHO on whether a change in public health strategies is warranted. The TAG-VE met on 3 January 2023 to discuss the COVID-19 situation in mainland China. During the meeting,…

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COVID-19 Rears Ugly Head Again As WHO meets with Chinese officials on current COVID-19 situation

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 Michael Gwarisa

A high-level meeting took place on 30 December between WHO and China about the current surge in COVID-19 cases, to seek further information on the situation, and to offer WHO’s expertise and further support. By Michael Gwarisa High-level officials from China’s National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration briefed WHO on China’s evolving strategy and actions in the areas of epidemiology, monitoring of variants, vaccination, clinical care, communication and R&D. WHO again asked for regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation —…

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Nearly 40 million children are dangerously susceptible to growing measles threat

November 29, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

Measles vaccination coverage has steadily declined since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a record high of nearly 40 million children missed a measles vaccine dose: 25 million children missed their first dose and an additional 14.7 million children missed their second dose, a joint publication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. This decline is a significant setback in global progress towards achieving and maintaining measles elimination and leaves millions of children susceptible to infection. In…

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As International Safe Abortion Day Draws Closer, Its Time To Reflect on progress towards access to safe abortion for women and girls

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022 Edinah Masiyiwa

The 28th of September is International Safe Abortion Day, and it has two themes: “Diverse Actions, Different Places, One Demand: Access to Safe and Legal Abortion Now” and “Abortion in Uncertain Times.” By Edinah Masiyiwa These themes speak to me as an advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights, and they give me energy to continue working on safe abortion access. They communicate that firstly, we will achieve access to safe abortion through working in our different spaces from research, to advocacy, to awareness raising at community and policy…

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Zimbabwe amongst African Countries with Highest Tobacco Related Deaths in Females

May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

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…

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#BREAKING: Measles Outbreak Hits Zimbabwe’s Mutasa District, 20 Deaths Recorded To Date

May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

MUTASA district in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe, is facing a measles outbreak, amidst indications that more than 100 cases and 20 deaths have already been recorded since the outbreak was first reported last month, The HealthTimes can reveal. By Michael Gwarisa The Measles Outbreak in Mutasa comes hot on the heels of a warning by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) of a brewing perfect storm of conditions for measles outbreaks affecting children. In an interview, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) Permanent…

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WHO Suspends Supply Of Indian Vaccine, Covaxin

April 9, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), has with immediate effect, suspended the supply of the Indian manufactured COVAXIN shots following the outcome of an inspection in March 2022, where deficiencies and manufacturing related concerns were identified. By Michael Gwarisa The decision by WHO has also prompted Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer to immediately suspend production of Covaxin, a move that is set to interrupt the vaccination programs for countries relying on Covaxin to carry out immunisations. Countries that had approved the use of COVAXIN include Zimbabwe, Australia, Mauritius, Oman, Philippines, Nepal, Mexico,…

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All Hands On Deck To End TB Says Gvt

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

HEALTH and Child Care Minister, Dr Constantino Chiwenga has implored government, civil society and the private sector to unite in the face of a century old disease, Tuberculosis (TB), which continues to cause the highest number of deaths globally every year. By Michael Gwarisa In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director, AIDS and TB Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Charles Sandy at the Walk for TB Campaign that was hosted by the Stop TB Partnership Zimbabwe in Harare, , he said…

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How Media and Journalists Indirectly Promote Suicide

March 8, 2022August 5, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

MEDIA play a critical role in society and without them, the world would suffer from information deficiency. The four functions of media are to inform, persuade, transmit culture, and entertain. It requires only responsible media to have that hazard perception skill or that fifth sense that tells them beforehand the implications their message could have on individuals and society and large. By Michael Gwarisa In the wrong hands, media can be dangerous and lethal, hence the old adage, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Media reportage of mental health…

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Zimbabwe Told To Up Genomic Sequencing Game… As Omicron Outpaces Delta’s Infection Rate

December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 Michael Gwarisa

FOLLOWING the detection of the Omicron or B.1.1.529 variant by South African scientists three weeks ago, it has emerged that the new strain could be infecting more people within a short space of time compared to the Delta strain which at some point was touted as the fastest growing variant. By Michael Gwarisa The Omicron variant, a highly mutated strain whose impact is feared could evade vaccine induced immunity and probably cause more severe symptoms, has to date been reported in 63 countries across the globe and in all continents…

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