Sanitary and phytosanitary systems in Africa still far from what is desired, emphasises biennial CAADP report

None of the 49 member states that have submitted their respective reports on their sanitary and phytosanitary (SF) systems are on track to reach the 100 percent target, according to the biennial report of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).   However, the document points out that 15 of these countries, representing thirty-one percent…

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Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2024 attracts over 5,000 stakeholders globally

Own Correspondent Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2024 is set to convene over 5,000 stakeholders from across Africa and internationally. The Annual summit to be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda aims to accelerate food systems transformation with youth and women at the helm a key focus. World leaders, innovators, academia, development agencies, farmers’ organizations, and the private…

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Karoi Pool Association fights drugs abuse

Writes Nhau Mangirazi KAROI – The Karoi Pool Association (KPA) is making strides in fighting criminal vices affecting communities including drugs and substance abuse. They have managed to lure players including the youth so that they remain occupied during weekdays and weekends when competitions are being played in Karoi farming town and Hurungwe district. KPA…

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Africa Smart Cities Congress to steer the trajectory of urban development on the continent

The Africa Smart Cities Congress (ASCC) slated for the 17th to the 19th of October 2024 at the Conference Hall of Bingu International Conference Center (BICC), Lilongwe, Malawi transcends the realm of a mere congress since it stands as a transformative juggernaut, steering the trajectory of urban development in Africa.   In an interview with…

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TRM youth, Chitungwiza Municipality in joint clean up campaign

Writes Marlvin Ngiza  In response to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s declaration for a Clean-Up Campaign every first Friday of every month, youth affiliated with Teen Rescue Mission (TRM) in partnership with the Chitungwiza Municipality yesterday participated in the noble cause. The clean-up exercise covered areas which include St Mary’s Police to Unit O main Chitungwiza Road….

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Seize the spotlight: Exhibit at Africa’s Premier Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa 2024!

The leading industry event, the Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa, proudly sponsored by Standard Bank, is returning to Johannesburg for its fourth edition at the Sandton Convention Centre from 12 to 14 September 2024. As Africa’s only dedicated event for the organic and natural products industry, this expo is the ultimate platform for traders…

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MCAZ to regulate cosmetic products

In a move aimed at safeguarding consumer health and enhancing product quality, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for cosmetic products sold within the country.   The regulations, known as Medicines and Allied Substances Control (Cosmetics) Regulations seek to address growing concerns over the proliferation…

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Health sector development requires sound financing, coordinated multi-stakeholder partnerships

His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, Zimbabwe United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has urged the urgent need for forging partnerships and ensuring sustainable health finance to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health systems, reiterating that such efforts are integral to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and addressing the multifaceted health challenges that lie ahead. He delivered the remarks…

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ZIMSOFF partners Parliamentarians in driving agro-ecology to address GBV and drug abuse

In partnership with Parliamentarians, the Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) is fighting gender-based violence (GBV) and drug and substance abuse in communities by implementing various agroecology mechanisms. Speaking at a tour of their projects by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees (PPC) on Lands at the National Policy Dialogue recently, a Gutu small livestock farmer, Daizy…

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Health Resilience USD$9.2 million Fund medical equipment enhances Zimbabwe’s healthcare

Today, the Health Resilience Fund (HRF) handed over to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) critical medical equipment and supplies worth USD$9.2 million procured through the technical support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The handover of this equipment held at the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse…

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USAID, Govt launch SHASHA community health programme

Writes Clayton Masekesa The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Zimbabwe government under the Ministry of Health and Child Care has launched a $25 million sexual reproductive health programme that is aimed at promoting health in Zimbabwean communities. The programme, Sexual Health Services (SHASHA) – Family Planning and Mhuri/Imuli II,…

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Supporting the Education and Health of Young Mothers in Africa

By Etleva Kadilli, Nisha; and Alexandros K Makarigakis An estimated 282 million young people aged 10-24 will reside in Eastern and Southern Africa by 2050. The potential of this population could be transformational. Yet currently, only a quarter of these young people complete upper secondary school and a quarter of young women aged 20-24 give…

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Empowering Youth Through Football: Vana Vedu Organisation Takes a Stand Against Substance Abuse

Writes Panashe Gwesu In a groundbreaking initiative, Vana Vedu Organization, via its junior football club, an affiliate of the Chitungwiza Junior Football Development League and the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), has undertaken a dual mission of empowering youths and combating drug and substance abuse. The organization, known for its commitment to helping underprivileged young people,…

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NetOne donates essential hospital and clinic equipment to Nyanga North community

Mobile telephony giant, NetOne, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), has embarked on a significant health campaign initiative in Nyanga North Constituency. Speaking at a prestigious occasion where NetOne made the generous donation of hospital and clinic equipment that was graced by Lieutenant General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, the Commander of the Zimbabwe National…

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Media critical in assisting cholera fight, detection of health outbreaks

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The media plays a critical role in events and surveillance-based reporting that assists in early health outbreak detection. This was said by Mashonalnd West Provincial Nursing Officer, Farai Marufu, during a UNICEF-sponsored cholera media briefing. “The media plays a critical role in assisting the Ministry of Health in the fight…

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Addressing drug and substance abuse critical to meeting national developmental goals

The United Nations in Zimbabwe is fully behind the vision and the implementation of the action plan to end substance and drug abuse and trafficking in pursuit of attaining sustainable development, His Excellency, Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Country Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has said. He made the remarks at the Launch of the National…

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Support Don’t Punish Campaign: ZCLDN calls for drug policy reform

On this Global Day of Action, Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN), a peer-led initiative of people who use and inject drugs, joins the global community, in solidarity to commemorate the Support Don’t Punish Campaign. This year’s theme, “Expanding our Ecosystems of Change” resonates deeply with our mission to advocate for drug policy reform “…from…

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NetOne undisputed friends of persons with albinism

NetOne has once again proven that despite being one of the leading champions in mobile telephony, they are undisputed friends of persons with albinism. This was exemplified when NetOne joined like-minded organisations in commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day held under the title “The Decade of Collective Progress” at Meikles Park in Mutare last week….

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Achieving HIV epidemic control: Offer integrated, people-centred, differentiated services

In pursuit of achieving HIV epidemic control, Dr. Owen Mugurungi, the Director of the AIDS and TB Unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, has encouraged healthcare practitioners to offer integrated, people-centred, differentiated services. He was addressing a two-day media workshop for editors and station managers that was organised by the National AIDS…

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AUDA-NEPAD, Egyptian Drug Authority spearhead groundbreaking Vaccine Testing in Africa

Writes Baboloki Semele June marked a pivotal moment for African healthcare as the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) collaborated with the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) to host a transformative initiative aimed at bolstering vaccine testing and lot release capabilities across the continent. From June 9-13, 2024, delegates from Senegal and Botswana convened in Cairo under…

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MCAZ attains WHO Benchmarking Tool Maturity Level 3

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) is proud to announce that Zimbabwe’s regulatory system has attained Maturity Level 3 (ML 3) for the regulation of medicines and vaccines (non-producing). This achievement follows a comprehensive assessment and the successful implementation of critical recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Zimbabwe now joins the ranks of…

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Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in Zimbabwe on Day of the African Child 2024

Writes Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in Zimbabwe On this Day of the African Child, we, the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in Zimbabwe, join the continent in celebrating the theme: “Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now.” Education is the cornerstone of development and the key to unlocking the potential of…

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Inclusive National Health Insurance welcome: NCDs sector players

Writes Jacob Ngwenya People living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have commended the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Health and Child Care for initiating the process of establishing the National Health Insurance which comes on the backdrop of the country committing to the United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage in…

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SADC report spotlights fisheries’ contribution to food systems and healthy living

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, through its Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, launched the highly anticipated SADC/FAO Report “The Contribution of the Small-Scale Fisheries to Healthy Food Systems and Sustainable Livelihoods in SADC”. The launch event took place on 5th June 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during…

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Mental Health Advocate Vickie Maponga wins Women Changing the World Award

Writes Chimeno Azriel Television personality and Mental Health Advocate, Vickie Maponga, was recognized for championing health and well-being across the globe through her mental health awareness initiatives. Vickie won the coveted 2024 Women Changing the World Award held recently in the United States of America. The Mental Health Advocate and Philanthropist won the prestigious Award…

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Zimbabwe’s Gastronomy Heritage: A Key to Healthy Living

Writes Catherine Murombedzi  In nature’s nurture, open your eyes to see the healthy habits from the past. Before the 1960s, lifestyle diseases were minimal. People grew their own food and lived healthy lifestyles. They worked in the fields. They were physically fit. Sedentary work was also taken when shelling nuts after harvest. Grandmothers were the…

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Itai Trust donates Wheelchairs to persons with disabilities

Writes Dumisani Ndlovu Gweru Chapter of a Harare-based non-governmental organisation, Itai Trust whose target is to mobilise and distribute 20 wheelchairs to differently-abled people in Zimbabwe, recently kick-started the Midlands program by donating a wheelchair to a Lower Gweru child with a disability. The official handover of the wheelchair was recently done by the organisation…

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Hon Richard Ziki, Rotary Club in free eye clinic outreach partnership in Karoi

Elvis Dumba Karoi – The Hurungwe Central Constituency legislator, Hon Richard Ziki, and a local pharmaceutical player, Peniel Pharmacy, have partnered with Rotary Club members in Karoi to offer a free eye clinic outreach in the town. The outreach done with support from a Denmark-based volunteer optician, saw hundreds of people receiving free eyeglasses and…

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World No Tobacco Day: YADD against manipulative tactics of tobacco industry

On this World No Tobacco Day, Youth Against Alcohol and Drug Dependency (YADD) in Zimbabwe has said it stands united against the manipulative tactics of the tobacco industry on children. “As YADD, We are committed to protecting our generation and future ones from the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping. We call on governments to…

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A child’s cry for life as community ignores religious-related deaths

Writes Elvis Dumba Hurungwe –  The communities of  Maronda/Mangate, Shumba, Village 5, Chakaraya and Dzokamushure Villages in Hurungwe District believe evil spirits are operating in their communities and becoming responsible for their children’s deaths. At Dzokamushure village, a shrine to help these evil spirit-attacked children was set up for religious cleansing and treatment. They also have…

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Gender Links funds SRHR project in Chitungwiza

The Youth Aspire Development Trust (YADT)  is working tirelessly to empower young people and promote sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in Chitungwiza with the support of Gender Links funding. Chitungwiza has a population of over 365,000 people, with a significant portion being young people. However, like many other communities in Zimbabwe, young people in…

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YADT Demonstrates Power of Youth-Led HIV Prevention in Chitungwiza

In Chitungwiza, a town located about 25 kilometers from the bustling city of Harare in Zimbabwe, a group of young individuals are taking charge in the fight against HIV. The Youth Aspire Development Trust (YADT) has launched a youth-led HIV prevention project, with funding from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Spearheaded by HIV prevention champions…

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Youth Aspire Development Trust Empowering Young Girls through Sewing Project

At Youth Aspire Development Trust (YADT), a non-profit organization based in Zimbabwe, there is a strong focus on empowering young girls through their sewing project at the Youth Hub. This project not only teaches girls valuable skills in sewing but also provides a safe and supportive environment for them to learn and grow. This publication…

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African Leaders Highlight Key Health Priorities for Africa at the Seventy-Seventh World Health Assembly

African health leaders are concerned about the world’s preparedness and response to pandemics, drawing from the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, ahead of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly (WHA77). The leaders outlined their expectations and desired outcomes for the upcoming meeting in a press briefing organized by Amref Health Africa in partnership with Africa CDC, the WHO Regional Office…

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UNESCO and UNICEF call for building strong foundations for health and well-being in primary school

At a global symposium organized in Lusaka today, UNESCO and UNICEF launched four co-published technical briefs as part of Building strong foundations – a new initiative by UNESCO that aims to help children stay in school, keep safe, and grow up healthy to lead thriving lives. The new initiative benefitting learners aged 5-12 in primary…

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10th World Water Forum: AfDB commits to facilitating access to water and sanitation in Africa

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) will highlight the importance of preparation, financing, and coordination for water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives across Africa at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia. The Bank and the African Water Facility’s delegations to the world’s largest international gathering of water sector partners will share insights, strategies, and…

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