Health
read all interesting health stories on zimbabwe news spiked. Newsdzezimbabwe health is updated every day and is very reliable.
Behaviour change vital in fighting mosquitoes: Manjoro
By Thabani Dube As over 440 people die of malaria Social and Behaviour change communication (SBCC) is an integral strategy for malaria prevention and elimination. SBCC takes into account the way people conduct their day to day businesses and how they affect their environment has a great impact in the fight against malaria, says a…
Is it carnage as Mnangagwa becomes Zimbabwe’s third president?
By Farai Chirimumimba Zimbabweans witnessed the inauguration of their third president, Emmerson Mnagagwa. The interim president who is to rule for about eight months before general elections in July or August 2018 vows to rebuild Zimbabwe in a bleak inaugural address after taking his oath of office on 24 November. Cde Mnangagwa summed up the…
Women and girls are givers of life – they need protection and respect
By Byron Mutingwende “In Shona they say “Musha Mukadzi” loosely translated to: The home is the woman. In Ibbo language they say “Nneka” meaning Mother is Supreme. All these narratives and proverbs are meant to debunk the widely held notion that the African culture is predominantly male-chauvinist,” says sociologist John Maramwira. From 25…
Specific laws needed to combat healthcare fraud
Representatives of medical aid societies, pharmacists, hospitals, doctors, laboratories, the legal sector and other stakeholders from across the country on Thursday lamented the lack of specific laws to deal with healthcare fraud when they came together at the Healthcare Fraud Indaba in Harare. In discussions and presentations it was noted that medical aid societies were…
Collaborate in ending healthcare fraud: Stakeholders urged
There is need for an all-stakeholder collaboration in fighting fraud rampant in the healthcare sector, it has emerged. In her welcome remarks at the Healthcare Fraud Indaba held in Harare, Shylet Sanyanga, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFOZ) said fraud is best addressed when stakeholders collaborate in fighting…
Healthy eating keeps diabetes at bay
By Byron Mutingwende A healthy, nutritious diet with minimised consumption of starch-rich foodstuffs will keep diabetes at bay, Dr. John Mangwiro, the President of the Zimbabwe Diabetic Association (ZDA) has said. Mangwiro made the remarks during the commemoration of the World Diabetes Day held in the Harare Central Business District on 14 November…
Lions Club International offers free diabetes testing and screening for all
By Patricia Mashiri The Lions Clubs International, in partnership with Zimbabwe Diabetic Association has embarked on a free diabetic screening and testing campaign across the country and beyond boarders. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when one’s blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose will be the main source of energy…
Prioritise health resource allocation: govt told
By Thabani Dube Harare The trend of below-target funding from the national budget to the social sectors, including to health, renders tje sectors over-reliant on donors and risks the long term sustainability of programmes, a UN country boss has said. Acting UN Resident Coordinator, who is also UNICEF Country Representative, Dr Mohamed Ayoya, on 9…
A resilient health system promotes sustainable development
By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri In Mbare, Martha Chimwe (not real name) is afraid the 2008-9 cholera outbreak that claimed four of her family members in one week had returned to kill her grandson (nine) who has a running stomach. Martha’s fears are compounded by the reality that in Matapi Flats – her home…
PPC imaginarium competition to take place for first time in Zimbabwe
By Wallace Mawire The PPC Imaginarium, a competition originating from neighbouring South Africa will take place in Zimbabwe for the first time, according to a National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) spokesperson. According to the spokesperson, the PPC Imaginarium is a modern art and design competition whose main thrust is to support emerging artists and designers…
FBDGs to promote healthy and nutritious diet in Zimbabwe
By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwe is in the process of developing Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) to promote consumption of healthy and nutritious diet. Monica Muti, the Nutrition Intervention Manager in the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the process is being led by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation…
MSF Secures Generic Hepatitis C Treatment at lower price
The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced this week it can now purchase generic hepatitis C medicines for as low as $1.40 per day, or $120 per 12-week treatment course, for two key medicines used to treat and cure this disease, sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. This dramatic price reduction—which will benefit…
Work towards ending all forms of malnutrition: Stakeholders urged
By Byron Mutingwende Stakeholders have reiterated the call to end malnutrition in all its forms in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. This emerged at the Zimbabwe Nutrition Association (ZimNA) inaugural conference held at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. The conference was a platform for sharing ideas and experiences as a way of…
Children at the receiving end of abuse worldwide
By Byron Mutingwende Eight-year-old Tambudzai Mashereni (not real name) struggled to carry a 20-litre bucket of water that her stepmother put on her head. The borehole is a kilometre away. She just found herself in that painful situation and knew from the treatment that the woman who made her do back-breaking work was not her…
TaLI, Econet collaborate to empower the girl child
Tag a Life International (TaLI) with the support of Econet Zimbabwe and that of Elevate this past Saturday the 28th of October 2017 launched its first ever Girls and Young Women’s Annual Conference which is set to empower girls from across the country with exposure opportunities, knowledge of their rights, to share their experiences, learn…
Malaria claims 42 deaths in Harare
Thabani Dube Harare At least, 42 people have died due to malaria and 2,821 confirmed cases recorded in Harare since the beginning of 2017, Spiked can reveal. City of Harare, Director of Health Services, Dr Prosper Chonzi confirmed that the city this year recorded a sharp increase in both malaria cases and deaths due to…
ARTUZ “Pockets Out” campaign persists
The non-violent protest by rural teachers and the generality of ordinary citizens who are reeling under the gruesome effects of the man-made economic meltdown in Zimbabwe will enter its third edition this Friday, 27 October 2017. Dubbed #PocketsOut, #HomwePanze, #IzikhwamaPandle, the protest aims to mobilize citizens who are suffering due to the incessant cash crisis…
Promotion of human rights a key guiding principle of UN
By Byron Mutingwende The promotion and protection of human rights is one of the key purposes and guiding principles of the United Nations (UN), Elasto Mugwadi, the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has said. Mugwadi made the remarks at the commemoration of the UN Day held at the World Health…
Gaps in SRHR and social inequalities hinder economic growth
By Byron Mutingwende Kudzai Moyo (not real name) was born into a polygamous family to parents who are staunch members of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church in Bocha, Manicaland Province. Kudzai, like any other girl in her community started primary education at the local Mafararikwa School. Her father, a bearded middle-aged man had…
Medical insurance regulator should be independent: Stakeholders
By Byron Mutingwende Stakeholders have called for the setting up of an independent medical insurance regulator in order to close the gaps in the current system. That emerged at the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) Workshop held on 17 October 2017 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. “The proposed regulatory authority, provided…
Use of radiation sciences improves cancer management
By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwe is in the process of capacitating radiotherapists with a view of enhancing the use of radiation sciences to improve the management of cancer. Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Health and Childcare has roped in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts from South Africa for a partnership in all activities related…
Constant screening and check-ups for cancer vital: people urged
By Simbarashe Manhango Constant medical check ups and screening has been cited as the panacea in dealing with the growing cancer mortalities, a health expert has said. This comes at the backdrop of a report by the health ministry which estimates that a general population of 30 000 people around the country were suspected of…
Albinism demystified
By Byron Mutingwende For Sharon Gumbi, living up to the age of 30 is a miracle. Her biological mother was banished from home by her father soon after her birth. Sharon had to live with her grandparents in rural Filabusi, Matebeleland South Province until the age of 13. “My grandparents became my foster…
UN spearheading resilience uptake in Masvingo
By Byron Mutingwende Resilience science involves bringing together multiple strategies targeting a variety of stakeholders who are affected differently by the shocks that arise out of the negative effects of climate change. True to its modus operandi, the United Nations (UN) Zimbabwe team toured Masvingo Province to ensure communities embrace this phenomenon. To…
No death, no injury at workplace, government says
The government is committed to ensuring occupational safety and health at the workplace it has emerged. Speaking at a meeting held under the theme, “reinforce occupational safety and health preventive culture through optimum gathering and utilization of data” in Harare on 4 October 2015, Priscilla Mupfumira, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare…
Dr. Natalia Kanem appointed UNFPA Executive Director
UNITED NATIONS, New York, 3 October 2017 — Dr. Natalia Kanem was appointed Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, today by Secretary-General António Guterres. She holds the rank of United Nations Under-Secretary-General. Dr. Kanem, a Panamanian, is the Fund’s fifth Executive Director. She had been serving as Acting Executive Director since June,…
Non payment of public workers derailing healthcare delivery in Yemen
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have blamed the deterioration of healthcare delivery in Yemen on non-payment of government workers.They said the widespread and critical problems arose out of the fact that most Ministry of Public Health and Population staff last received their regular salary a year ago. In that regard, MSF is calling for…
Healthcare threatened as Syrian war intensifies
By Staff Writer Amid a sharp intensification of bombing since Tuesday 19 September over northwestern Syria, mainly Idlib govern-orate and north of Hama govern-orate, hospitals are closing. This is either because they have been bombed or because they fear being bombed. Medical emergency organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says patients are left with ever-decreasing options for…
Zimbabwe concerned about increase in antimicrobial resistance
By Patricia Mashiri Zimbabwe is concerned bout the significant growth of resistance to infections like TB and malaria, which is generally known as antimicrobial resistance. The Ministry of Health and Childcare has launched the Zimbabwe Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) National Action Plan and the Situation Analysis Report under the theme “Together as one Health in the…
Outcry over abuse of children
By Nevson Mpofu There is an outcry over the increase in child abuse cases which come in the form of sexual violation, labour, economic exploitation, neglect, trafficking and pornography. This happens as the world battles HIV and AIDS and increasing levels of poverty. In a bid to bring attention to this disaster and increase…
Tough conditions for Rohingyas refugees in Bangladesh
By Doctors Without Borders/MSF With little potable water available, people are drinking water collected from paddy fields, ponds, or hand-dug shallow wells often contaminated with faeces and urine Friday, September 22, 2017 — A massive scale-up of humanitarian aid in Bangladesh is needed to avoid a massive public health disaster following the arrival of hundreds of…
SADC medical councils collaborate
By Patricia Mashiri In a bid to foster collaboration in the region, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) medical councils have come up with a regulatory plan to ensure positive health outcomes for all. In pursuit of that goal,David Parirenyatwa, the Minister of Health and Child Care officially opened the SADC Medical and Dental Regulatory…
ZUNDAF advances SDGs agenda
The United Nations office in Zimbabwe has fully embraced the 2030 Agenda which pursues the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its roadmap for inclusive development. The United Nations Team in Zimbabwe, in support of national development priorities and in partnership with development partners, has reiterated its commitments articulated under the 2016-2020 Zimbabwe United Nations Development…
NAC Hails moonlight HIV testing services
By Edward Makuzva The National AIDS Council (NAC) has hailed the moonlight HIV testing programme which is designed to cater people who cannot being tested during the day because of their busy work schedules or for various reasons. Addressing journalists in Mutare on Tuesday at a digital media workshop, NAC Chief Executive officer, Dr Tapuwa Magure said…
Climate change impacts human development
By Patricia Mashiri The Zimbabwe Human Development report focuses on critically analysing issues pertaining to climate change and its impacts on the livelihood of people, food security, health and education. The report was guided by Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) and the Ministry of Macroeconomic Planning and Investment to provide an in-depth analysis…
Gambian delegation impressed by Zim Results Based Financing in health
By Patricia Mashiri A delegation from Gambia which has been in the country for almost two weeks to exchange notes with the country on how to implement results based financing (RBF) said it was impressed with what the health sector is doing in Zimbabwe. The delegation was scheduled to meet health officials at the ministry’s…
High cost of blood hampers access to health: CWGH
The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has lamented the high cost of blood and said it was one of the major barriers that prevent ordinary Zimbabweans from accessing and enjoying their health entitlements and rights as enshrined in the country’s constitution. “Faced with worsening economic challenges and growing unemployment, Zimbabwe continues to lose precious…
Online media plays critical role in reducing HIV and AIDS incidences
By Nevson Mpofu Online media has grown so pervasive such that there is need to recognise digital journalists working hard to reach millions across the World. This comes at a time Zimbabwe has done extraordinary wonders in reducing HIV and AIDS prevalence and new incidence rates in the country. Addressing an online pack of…
Government welcomes scientifically based healthcare tariffs proposal
Deputy Health and Childcare Minister Aldrin Musiiwa has commended the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) and the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) for pursuing a scientifically based fees tariff that is fair to all parties. “As government we expect that this will bring to an end the perennial quarrels over fees and bring much…
NDCs among strategies to address climate change challenges
By Byron Mutingwende The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are among the strategies aimed at addressing the challenges associated with climate change. Climate change has the potential to impact negatively on almost all sectors of the economy. Zimbabwe like other African countries has been experiencing impacts of climate change which includes severe floods, frequent…
Road safety everyone’s responsibility: TSCZ
By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has said everyone has a duty to ensure road safety so as to stop and reduce road traffic deaths by 50% by the year 2020. Obio Murambiwa Chinyere, the TSCZ Director made the remarks on the occasion of the road safety media…
ZICHIRE-BC Target Youths on SRH Issues through Sports
By Edward Makuzva Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research Project Behaviour Change (ZICHIRE-BC) is targeting youths in sports initiative as a platform to raise awareness on key issues impacting their lives including HIV and AIDS, drug abuse as well as Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) issues. In an interview, on Saturday during the under 21 challenge soccer league invitational…
Zim Results Based Financing to guide Gambians on implementing MCNH Project
By Byron Mutingwende A delegation from Gambia is in Zimbabwe to exchange notes with the country on how to implement results based financing (RBF) on maternal and child nutrition health (MCNH) project, it has emerged. Speaking at a welcome reception for the Gambian delegation in Harare on Monday 3 September 2017, Aldrin Musiiwa,…
Stakeholders ponder healthcare ecosystem
The Healthcare Ecosystem and Quality of Life is the theme of this year’s Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) Annual Stakeholders’ Conference, which takes place at the Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls this week, from Wednesday (September 6) to Saturday (September 9). The theme emphasises the role that different players in the health sector,…
CWGH embarks on typhoid awareness clean-up campaign
By Patricia Mashiri The Community working group on health (CWGH) has embarked on typhoid awareness clean-up campaigns following the massive outbreak of typhoid in Hatcliffe. The clean-up was held under the theme “a clean and health environment is your right and responsibility”. In his opening remarks during the clean-up campaign on Friday 25 July 2017,…