Banana Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4: a damaging disease threatening banana production in Southern Africa and beyond

By Dr. Mathew M. Abang Bananas represent one of the most consumed and traded fruits globally. In Southern Africa, bananas serve both as a staple food and important cash crop. To date, Tanzania is the largest producer of bananas in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)….

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USAID, CARE Zimbabwe launch US$1,5 million COVID-19 programme in urban areas

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided approximately US$1,5 million to CARE International in Zimbabwe to support early recovery for 47,000 people suffering from the effects of COVID-19 in urban areas of Masvingo and Manicaland provinces. This financial assistance from USAID allows CARE Zimbabwe to support urgently needed health care, water, sanitation,…

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Smart Agriculture, Health Programmes adopted by Cabinet

By Joyce Mukucha Aiming to boost Zimbabwe’s agricultural production as well as improving the resilience of farmers by providing imperative information through internet connectivity, Cabinet has adopted smart agriculture programme. Cabinet also adopted smart health programme which is aimed at avoiding hindrances when it comes to provision of much needed services in the sector. The…

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East Africa geared to address challenges affecting girls and young women

The Adolescent Girls and Young Women Africa (AGYWA) conference that kicked off in Harare yesterday with representatives drawn from 15 countries from East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa have come together to interrogate factors militating against girls and young women’s road to self-actualization. One of the sessions focused on East Africa and a number…

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AGYW Conference brings together key stakeholders for girl-child empowerment

Key stakeholders including African Diplomats, the Canadian Ambassador, and Minister will converge in Harare for the first-ever Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Africa Conference from the 23rd to the 25th of November. Tag a Life International (TaLI), a Zimbabwean girls and young women’s rights organization will be the host where the meeting will provide…

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‘Greater Investment Crucial for Africa’s Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity’- Expert

By Joyce Mukucha The unprecedented times brought by the global Covid-19 pandemic has caused African countries to struggle with limited access to vaccines to cater for their populations with the major reason being failure by the continent’ most nations to produce their own medicines. Meanwhile, many developing countries have not been able to deliver even…

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ZOU Student Faith Mvududu Scoops Mental Health Award

Faith Mvududu, a Development Studies third-year student at Zimbabwe Open University, scooped the Second Runner Up Health and Wellness Coach of the Year 2021 Award for her work around mental health awareness and advocacy, through sharing of her personal experience with depression and anxiety that had her survive five attempted suicides 15 years ago. Ms….

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PWDs Community Calls for Increased Inclusion in Hiv/AIDS Programming.

By Elvis Dumba BANKET- As the world prepares to commemorate World Aids Day, people  with disabilities (PWDs) have called upon for their increased participation in HIV interventions. National People with Disabilities Organization Banket chapter chairperson, Kind Matope said in as much as  many health issues  and programming were concerned,  their constituency was mostly left out…

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2022-23 Aids Campaign Launched with Calls for Increased Access to Treatment

By Elvis Dumba CHINHOYI- Mashonaland West Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mary Mliswa-Chikoka has called for an increased support for the HIV treatment as the country moves to eradicate new HIV infections by the the year 2030. She was speaking during a National Aids Council’s World Aids Day Campaign commemoration theme unveiling breakfast meeting…

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Nations urged to Work Tirelessly in Stemming Antimicrobial Resistance

By Joyce Mukucha Countries have been encouraged to continue making significant steps in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to ensure that human, animal and plant antimicrobials are used responsibly and prudently as well as making sure they remain effective. This was communicated this Tuesday by various speakers during a World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with…

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Less than $1 Test Kits Available to Stem Mother-Child HIV/ Syphilis Transmission

By Joyce Mukucha In an effort aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and syphilis, dual test kits which cost less than $1, are now available for pregnant women, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced this Monday. The combo test to significantly increase access to innovative combined rapid testing for HIV and syphilis which…

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Mental Health Lacks Effective Treatment, Covid-19 Fuels Situation

By Joyce Mukucha Globally, the numbers of people affected by mental health condition are staggering and in Zimbabwe, effective treatment coverage remains extremely low with the global Covid-19 pandemic exacerbating the situation. This can be supported by World Bank(WB) which indicates that today, nearly one billion people live with a mental disorder and in low-income…

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Mthuli Applauds Government of India’s Support to Zimbabwe

By Joyce Mukucha The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has hailed the Indian government for being instrumental in facilitating several current and planned projects in Zimbabwe particularly in the energy sector as well as the support in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic. Officiating the Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation celebrations last…

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One in 10 children Worldwide lives with Disabilities: UNICEF

By Joyce Mukucha An estimated 240 million children globally are suffering from various disabilities, and experience deprivation in indicators such as health, education and protection. This is according to a new report released by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday. The report includes comparable data from 42 countries and covers more than 60 indicators…

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Ecobank Dedicated to Fighting Mental Health Challenge

By Joyce Mukucha As part of its commitment towards better health, a local financial institution, EcoBank Zimbabwe Limited has taken action on mental health by donating various items to Parirenyatwa Psychiatric Hospital. The donation of items which include assorted medicines to last one year, 40 medical beds, assorted medical equipment , disnfectants, water buckets, television…

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Wife of Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Donates to Children with Disabilities

By Muchaneta Chimuka ZIMBABWE and China continue to maintain bilateral ties back in history and the relations continue to cement through the unwavering humanitarians supports that they Chinese people are rendering to the vulnerable communities. This Monday Mrs Wang Wei, wife of the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe donated goods US$2 300 to children with disabilities…

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Key Populations Experience Challenges in Accessing Health Services

By Joyce Mukucha According to a number of studies, the timely and enduring access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) by HIV-infected individuals has been shown to substantially reduce the HIV transmission risk, HIV-related morbidity, and mortality. However, there is evidence that in addition to the limited supply of antiretrovirals (ARVs) and linkage to Anti-retroviral treatment (ART)…

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Covid-19, Lack of Funds left Countries Unsupported and Unprepared to Deal with Climate Change Impacts: WHO

By Joyce Mukucha Despite efforts governments are making in prioritizing public health measures to protect their people from climate impacts, many lack the funds to take effective action with a potential missed opportunity to identify and optimize the health benefits of adaptation and mitigation efforts in other sectors, said the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO)…

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First-ever accountability tool assesses and ranks countries’ drug policies against key UN-system recommendations

Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, the UK and Australia are the five leading countries on humane and health-driven drug policies according to the inaugural edition of the Global Drug Policy Index released today by the Harm Reduction Consortium. Brazil, Uganda, Indonesia, Kenya, and Mexico are the five lowest-ranking countries. However, Norway, despite topping the Index, still only managed…

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Government Making Strides Towards Protecting Ozone Layer

By Joyce Mukucha recently in Darwendale The government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry’s Climate Change Management Department is making concerted efforts in phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons( HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to eliminate the production and use of these ozone-depleting substances as encouraged by the Montreal Protocol, a government official…

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Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Champion of Black Empowerment

By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo Business mogul Kudakwashe Tagwirei remains a champion of black empowerment. I am an ardent follower Tagwirei’s business ventures and empowerment initiatives. His Command Agriculture scheme has benefited at least 78 000 medium to large–scale farmers who have benefited under the programme while more than 1.8 million households continue to benefit from…

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Journalists Urged to Disseminate Health Information that Saves Lives

By Joyce Mukucha Described as the powerful arm with enormous potential to influence health-related behaviours and perceptions, the media has been challenged to increase focus on serious public health issues (HIV/AIDS and Covid-19) and urged to report in a positive, educative and awareness raising way to change public opinions. The media has been reminded that…

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Communities urged to Stop Substance Abuse Scourge.

By Elvis Dumba CHNHOYI- The Ministry of Health Care and has called upon communities to take action and become pro-active in ending the substance abuse scourge which has affected many communities. Tichaona Mahachi, Mashonaland West Provincial Mental Health Manager made the remarks during a Zimbabwe Union of Journalists community dialogue in Chinhoyi recently. “Community and…

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Zim-Britain Strengthening ties in Education Sector

By Joyce Mukucha British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Melanie Robinson yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education where they discussed various issues aimed at strengthening the education system in Zimbabwe. Ms Robinson said her country was committed to supporting and improving Zimbabwe’s education system through equipping teachers with required…

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VaChirenda Centre of Hope Foundation donates sanitary wear to Kandava Secondary School

By Desire Tshuma VaChirenda Centre of Hope Foundation on Friday 29 October donated sanitary wear to 217 girls of Secondary School in the Manana area under chief Seke. The donation campaign code-named Donate-A -Pad by VaChirenda Centre of Hope Foundation comes at a time when the country is facing a serious economic meltdown with many…

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The Lasting Trauma of Infertility and Reproductive Challenges: Individuals Share their Stories

By Muchaneta Chimuka After failing to have children for the past 30 solid years, a Domboshava man is living a traumatic life and to make matters worse his own family members have been stigmatizing and discriminating him. The man who preferred anonymity has named himself “Baba Tatenda” as a way of fighting the stigma said…

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Government Introduces Training Programmes for Healthcare Workers

By Joyce Mukucha In an effort aimed at equipping healthcare workers with correct standard operating procedures in the discharge of their duties, government has introduced the National Health Service Training and Induction Modules. Speaking during a post Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, the minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said the modules will…

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Women,Girls Bemoan Limited Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

By Joyce Mukucha The unprecedented times posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic has brought negative effects on people’s lives and livelihoods and sexual and reproductive health rights(SRHR) were also lost resulting in a truly devasting impact on women and girls’ lives. Due to lockdowns, movement restrictions and diversion of funds due to COVID-19, access to…

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Tourism SME Love for Africa positively impacting the community

Love for Africa – a destinations management company specializing in the fully inclusive travel market comprising meetings, incentives, corporate, and events, has gone out of its way to positively impact communities in Victoria Falls and beyond. Blessing Munyenyiwa, the Managing Director at Love for Africa who once worked at Disney World in the United States…

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Ndau Collection: Victoria Falls’s repository of fashion, arts and culture

One organisation that has shown resilience and tenacity in the midst of COVID-19 is the Ndau Collection in Victoria Falls, a true repository of fashion, arts, and culture. It is a part of small-to-medium enterprises that have remained vigilant and raring to go despite the COVID-19 pandemic that threatened to decimate tourism and other services…

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