WHO Unveils New Leadership Team Amid Sweeping Structural Reforms and Workforce Reductions
By Michael Gwarisa The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a major overhaul of its leadership and internal structure, reflecting a decisive push to improve cost efficiency and sharpen its focus on core health priorities. Speaking from Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus laid out the scale of the transformation, which includes deep organizational
Read MoreCuts in Health Aid Threaten Global Health Systems – WHO Warns
By Staff Reporter The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the growing trend of reduced and suspended Official Development Assistance (ODA) for health, warning that such cuts are already weakening health systems in low- and middle-income countries and placing millions of lives at risk. In its latest report titled “The Impact of Suspensions
Read MoreNigeria Leads Africa in Skin Bleaching, with 77% of Users Engaging in the Practice
By Michael Gwarisa Nigeria has the highest prevalence of skin bleaching in Africa, with 77% of its population using skin-lightening products, a new report has revealed. The November 2023 Regional Fact Sheet on Skin Bleaching in Africa, compiled by the African Health Observatory (AHO) under the World Health Organization (WHO), warns that the widespread practice
Read MoreZimbabwe Faces Rising Breast Cancer Burden-WHO Report
By Michael Gwarisa Breast cancer remains a significant public health challenge across Africa, with Zimbabwe ranking among the countries with notable incidence rates. According to the latest data from a World Health Organization (WHO) Assessment of breast cancer control capacities in the WHO African Region in 2022, Zimbabwe has an age-standardized breast cancer incidence rate
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WHO Urges United States to Reconsider Withdrawal
By Michael Gwarisa Following United States President Donald Trump’s recent signing of an executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), the global health body has appealed to the US to rethink this decision. In a statement posted on its official Twitter (X) account, WHO expressed regret over the announcement, stating,
Read MoreInaugural Climate and Health Conference Rallies Africa To Take Action Against Climate-Induced Health Threats
By Michael Gwarisa Although Africa contributes less than 4% of global carbon dioxide emissions, it faces some of the harshest impacts of climate change on health and the environment, leaders at the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC2024) have stated. Public health data shows that Africa is experiencing numerous climate-linked health hazards more than
Read MoreMass Drug Administration Boosts Health Outcomes and School Attendance For Zimbabwe School Children
By Michael Gwarisa in Nyazura Children at St Peters Tokoyo primary school, about 25 Kilometers from Nyazura Growth point in Makoni District, Manicaland province, have braced the chilly weather to queue for the Bilharzia and Intestinal worms medications being administered under the nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program. At Tokoyo Primary school and the nearby
Read MoreAmref Puts A Spotlight On Widening Climate Change Induced Health Inequalities in Africa
“As dire as the situation is, financing for climate adaptation is only a drop in the ocean of what is needed. This scenario has been, and continues to be the reason why Africa is one of the most vulnerable continent.” By Michael Gwarisa As the world commemorates World Health Day, governments around the world are
Read MoreFrom Hundreds Of Cholera Patients To Zero Admissions: Manicaland Showcases Power Of Multisectoral Collaboration In Outbreak Response
By Michael Gwarisa It’s about 11:00 in the morning, and Tichaona Shumba (45) from Chikuni Village, Farm 157 in Mutare Rural sits quietly on his bed at Zvipiripiri Clinic. He is probably wondering how he survived Cholera despite the disease having killed many people in his district between October and December 2023. There is not
Read MoreZimbabwe Launches House to House Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign
By Michael Gwarisa A total of 2.3 million people, aged one year old and above, are set to benefit from the Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign that has been launched in Harare today. The campaign will be carried out on a house-to-house, and cluster-to-cluster basis in 160 wards within 26 high-risk districts in seven provinces
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