Health
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Sexual minority rights still undermined
By Patricia Mashiri and Byron Mutingwende Both the society and the media are undermining sexual rights of minority groups, in contrast with the spirit of leaving no one behind as espoused in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). In his opening remarks at a workshop held in harare under the theme “Media engagement Workshop on Sexual…
Adolescents in SRHR storm
By Byron Mutingwende It is six o’clock in the evening at the Booster area in Mabvuku and Kumbirai (13) is wearing a skimpy dress revealing a greater proportion of her thighs. A street party is just about to kick off and music is already booming from the titanic loudspeakers. For her age, Kumbirai is…
RBZ, Miracle Missions, ARC promoting financial inclusion and good health of PWDs
By Patricia Mashiri and Byron Mutingwende In an effort to promote financial inclusion among people with disabilities (PWDs) and afford them quality health services, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), the Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) and Miracle Missions partnered to capacitate this excluded group. In her speech at the networking meeting with PWDs held at…
Malnutrition in Pakistan high due to lack of breastfeeding: MSF
Health Reporter The Doctors Without Borders/MSF has expressed concern at the alarming trend in Dera Murad Jamali, Baluchistan – Pakistan, where many children are suffering from malnutrition due to lack of breast feeding. Malnutrition is also being further caused by poor health seeking behaviour, unsafe drinking water and unhygienic practices in the area. Doctors Without Borders…
Breastfeed at work – women told
By Edward Makuzva Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa has urged workplace, formal or informal sectors to create an enabling environment that allow time for women to breast feed during working hours. Addressing delegates yesterday,at Zimbabwe Grounds, Highfield at the official launch of the 2017 World breastfeeding Week, Minister Parirenyatwa said the…
Africa CDC centre to improve NCDs surveillance, preparedness and response
By Health Correspondent Central African countries meeting last week on Thursday and Friday operationalised the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC). The centre will coordinate the efforts of Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sao Tomé and Principe and Chad to jointly strengthen surveillance, emergency…
Breastfeeding beneficial to mothers and babies
By Patricia Mashiri Latest evidence provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that breastfeeding is beneficial to both mothers and babies. In a joint statement, the two UN agencies expressed concern that no country in the world fully meets recommended standards for breastfeeding. This was revealed in…
SafAIDS youth programme addresses cultural barriers to HIV
By Nevson Mpofu Tradition and culture negatively impact programmes that empower many promising young people. Although young people might still be disadvantaged by several social , economic and political factors related to culture and tradition, SAFAIDS, an HIV and AIDS regional organisation has taken a stance towards African values which over the past decades have…
Adolescents still face sexual inequalities
By Edward Makuzva After decades of programming to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), it has become increasingly clear that strengthening access to, and the quality of, services does not alone suffice to improve health outcomes, says family planning experts. They say sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescents is now strongly influenced by…
HIV researchers, young investigators and pioneers honoured
Leadership in HIV research and efforts to improve access to HIV prevention and treatment were recognised through prizes and awards presented at the 9th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2017). The IAS and its partners presented prizes for outstanding research in HIV, including exceptional research by young investigators; grants and fellowships to support promising…
HIV prevalence remains high among youths
Experts focus on innovative solutions to speed up progress against HIV among youth The world has made great strides in reducing the impact of HIV, and AIDS-related deaths are on the decline in every age group – except among adolescents. New UNAIDS estimates show that young people continue to be at elevated risk for HIV…
MSF Sounds Alarm Over High Numbers of People Dying from AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa
Global attention needed to prevent and treat AIDS in antiretroviral era An unacceptably high number of people from sub-Saharan Africa have been left out of the global HIV response—without access to treatment or medical care—and they continue to develop and die from AIDS-related diseases, according to data released by the international medical humanitarian organisation Doctors…
IAS 2017 to feature new discoveries and advances in HIV prevention and treatment
Conference highlights importance of continued investment in HIV research and translating science into action (Paris, France) – More than 6,000 HIV professionals from around the world have gathered in Paris for the 9th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2017), the world’s largest open scientific meeting on HIV. The four-day conference is organized by the…
Hope for HIV+ infants, children and adolescents
By Byron Mutingwende George Makona (16) was born to HIV positive parents at a rural hospital in Nyanga. By then programmes on prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) had not been fully grasped by some of the rural dwellers. “I was a victim of denial. When we were tested positive for HIV,…
WHO urges action against HIV drug resistance threat
By Byron Mutingwende The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that there is an increasing trend of resistance to HIV drugs in its detailed report based on national surveys conducted in several countries and registered fears that the threat could undermine global progress in treating and preventing HIV infection if early and effective action is…
Invest in HIV Science to end epidemic: IAS 2017 Scientific co-chairs
By Byron Mutingwende The International AIDS Society (IAS) 2017 Scientific Co-Chairs, Linda-Gail Bekker and Jean-François Delfraissy have said HIV science matters in ending the epidemic – a situation that requires the continued contribution of and investment in science. The experts said scientific knowledge is the backbone of the HIV response. “Over the past 30 years,…
UNAIDS Report silent on need to scale up HIV treatment: MSF
By Byron Mutingwende Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has noted that while progress has been made, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) report released on Thursday 20 July 2017 fails to recognise the need for continued support to scale-up treatment and prevent needless AIDS-related deaths. The UNAIDS report shows a reduction in AIDS-related…
Gaps remain in fulfilling unmet family planning needs
By Byron Mutingwende Shoorai Mugari lives near Mushumbi Pools in Mbire District of Mashonaland Central Province and has just given birth to triplet boys when her eldest child (a girl) is just nine months old. “I am now a mother of four in just one year. My husband is unemployed and every season…
Prevention of parent-to-child transmission important
By Nevson Mpofu The prevention of parent to child transmission remains crucial for countries of the world to achieve the reduction of HIV and AIDS prevalent rate . This is important in children growing up to become parents . Advocacy in supporting HIV prevention remains important in communities so as to reduce parent to child…
UNFPA supporting maternal health, family planning and SRHR
The United Nations Population Fund has over the past couple of years made great strides in supporting humanitarian programmes in maternal health, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, gender based violence and HIV and AIDS. UNFPA gives support in these thematic areas in order to bring back home open space for healthy well-being, social status…
Legislation of DNA as new form of admissible evidence on the cards
By Byron Mutingwende The Law Development Commission (LDC), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Centre for Applied Legal Research has embarked on a project to promote an effective justice delivery system through use of legislation that introduces new forms of admissible evidence like the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). “The…
Wellness a key pillar of health and safety: Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe
By Byron Mutingwende Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe has embarked on a community initiative meant to promote physical wellness as a key pillar for the people’s health and safety. Through the “Run for a Good Cause” event held at at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare on Saturday 8 July 2017, in line with Lafarge Cement…
HEALTH, A KEY CONSIDERATION FOR 2018
By Jealousy Mawarire If you want to see how Zimbabweans are not serious about rebuilding this country, just look at the flippancy they exhibit towards the health of the 2018 presidential aspirants, especially President Robert Mugabe and Former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. While Americans were worried about the health of both Hillary Clinton and Donald…
SHOT IN THE ARM FOR DISASTER VICTIMS
By Lovemore Chadzingwa HARARE – REPRODUCTIVE health and hygiene needs of women and girls are often neglected in times of disaster with communities only prioritising food and accommodation, a senior representative at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said. UNFPA Zimbabwe assistant representative Abbigail Msemburi made the remarks in her speech at the official handover…
Behaviour change facilitators unpack community health issues
By Byron Mutingwende A plethora of health issues affecting communities came to the fore at a meeting that brought together behaviour change facilitators that was organised by the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (Zichire) at New Ambassador Hotel in Harare on 28 June 2017. Christina Gonese, the Zichire Demand Generation Provincial Manager said…
Family, society support wins war against drug abuse
By Byron Mutingwende Chengetai Majoni (35) was identified by his old teenage friend on the streets of Johannesburg, heavily sick and addicted to drugs. Back home in Bikita, his parents and relatives had assumed that he had died a long time ago since they had never heard from him since 1997 when he ran…
Guard against pollution and promote a green economy
NEVSON MPOFU Nations in their frantic bid to reduce pollution are severely pulled down by human fertility factors related to high birth rate causing high population, which is the main anthropogenic agent of several pollution types. Population explosion compromises on fast rate resource scarcity, a contributing factor to loss of Biodiversity through mismanaged Human and…
Health is a right for all: stakeholders
By Byron Mutingwende Lizzy Kanyimo (eight months pregnant) arrives at the local clinic, her stomach bulging. In the left hand she is holding a stick that helps her to get balance. Her left leg is shorter than the right one. “So these cripples loves sex as well! These men are cruel. How can…
SADC COUNTRIES LAG BEHIND IN ADRESSING MINING HEALTH RELATED AILMENT CODES OF PRACTICE
NEVSON MPOFU Occupational health ailments related to respiratory and cardio diseases continue to wreck the life trend of humanity although health technology is growing on a daily basis. Silicosis caused by dust from rocks containing silica, Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium and Tubercle bacilli and Asbestosis from Asbestos dust are major factors making rise of Air…
Watchdog probes Aspen for cancer drug pricing
By TAMAR KAHN Africa’s biggest generic drug maker Aspen Pharmacare, already under investigation by European authorities over the price of its cancer drugs, is now under similar scrutiny from SA’s Competition Commission. On Tuesday, the commission announced it was investigating Aspen and multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers Roche and Pfizer for suspected excessive pricing of…
Healthcare specialists needed
By Byron Mutingwende Tendai Chigamba (not his real name) developed a tumour on the neck. At first his parents thought it was just a boil, which would heal with time. Months went by and the hope waned as the growth increased in size. The tumour later disturbed Chigamba’s breathing. “We went to the local clinic…
SADC Countries take lead in addressing the dark side of stigma link to HIV and AIDS.
BY NEVSON MPOFU. Testimonies, inspiration and influence of four great Southern African leaders still remain history in the great battle against stigma and discrimination. These Leaders are from SADC countries namely South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. This is coming at a time Zimbabwe and the SADC Region is striving to achieve the 90 per cent…
First test tube baby born since IVF programme resumed
Special Correspondent The first baby to be born through in vitro fertilisation since the procedure was reintroduced in Zimbabwe last year at The Avenues Clinic in Harare is now at home with his parents. The baby was born at a clinic in Harare at 29 weeks on April 2. He weighed just over a…
A tale of ridicule, isolation and trauma: obstetric fistula
By Byron Mutingwende Gamuchirai Tsiga (not her real name) rues the year she fell pregnant as a teenager while she was doing her Form Three at a school in the remote Karoi District of Mashonaland West Province. “I was 16 years old when I fell pregnant. My lover Gerald had promised me heaven…
Invest and scale up prevention and treatment of HIV: AfNHi
By Byron Mutingwende An African-led HIV Prevention Research Advocacy Network (AfNHi), whose vision is an African continent Free of new HIV Infections has said that there is need to invest and scale up the prevention and treatment of HIV. Available statistics reveal that of the estimated 36.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS globally…
Partnership gives birth to youth centre and satellite clinic
By Byron Mutingwende In sync with strengthening partnership for sustainable development, the City of Harare came together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and have embarked on an infrastructure project in Hopley to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services by young people. Speaking during…
Substance and drug abuse rampant among Zimbabwean youths
By Byron Mutingwende Jeremiah James (25) a holder of a degree in sociology from one of the reputable universities in South Africa is snoring, dead-drunk, his mouth wide open and oblivious of a swarm of flies circling around him as he takes a slumber on a hot day on the pavement in Harare’s Central…
Communities play critical role in advancement of good health and wellbeing
By Byron Mutingwende I had travelled a distance of about 50km from Harare to Mwanza Secondary School in the Chikwaka area under Goromonzi District on a fine Friday where the Ministry of Health and Child Care was holding a Community Health Symposium. The meeting afforded an interactive engagement between high level health officials and…
Catalyse and sustain action in the race to end malaria: AU
By Byron Mutingwende Teererai Mabeye (not real name) is seven months pregnant but has been battling a severe headache for two days. Her mother-in-law finally decides to take her to the local Chibuwe Clinic in Chipinge District after she begins to sweat profusely, her body temperature hovering above 40 Degrees Celsius. The journey…
Budget formulation should address nutrition financing: ZCSOSUNA
By Byron Mutingwende The Zimbabwe Civil Society Organisations Scaling Up Nutrition Alliance (ZCSOSUNA) has said that there was a need to develop a comprehensive plan on how, when and where its members could participate in the budget process annually to ensure that nutrition financing is addressed during budget formulation. In 2001, the government…
Maternal, neonatal and child healthcare should be prioritised
By Byron Mutingwende Jane Matanda (36) lives with her family at a farm compound in Beatrice, nearly 60km from Harare. With four children who are all at school, Matanda says the wages she gets from working on the farm together with her husband are not sufficient to provide adequately for their children’s health and…
Calls to eradicate TB and AIDS gather momentum
By Nevson Mpofu and Byron Mutingwende This year’s March 24 World TB Day celebrated in Shurugwi paved a new way for strategies to end the disease. Ending Tuberculosis could be achieved through testing and screening, it has emerged. The fact on ground is, in populations with high HIV prevalence, many people infected with HIV develop…
Calls to fast-track HIV prevention response gain momentum
By Byron Mutingwende Calls to implement the 2016 Political Declaration meant to fast track the HIV prevention response, along with treatment are gaining momentum. This emerged at a Stakeholders’ meeting on HIV Prevention Revitalisation held at the Monomotapa Legacy Hotel in Harare early this week. The meeting was meant to take stock of the…
Open defecation, climate vagaries expose rural communities to health risks
By Byron Mutingwende With a significant number of people in rural areas still practising open defecation and the climate vagaries ravaging Zimbabwe, a health time bomb is imminent. Statistics from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF to the effect that over 40 per cent of people in rural areas are still practising open…
World, urged to consider HWPL recommendations for peace and harmony
By Byron Mutingwende As conflicts escalate globally, stakeholders in governance have been urged to consider recommendations from a meeting held by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) hosted by the Chairman Man Hee Lee at the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office in Cape Town. Four religious leaders from…