Zimbabwe News

Harare, 30 September, 2009 -- A landmark plan to improve how countries, particularly developing nations, can better protect themselves against the pandemic H1N1 2009 has been applied for the first time in the world during a two-day workshop in Zimbabwe that ended today.

Harare, 30 September 2009 -- The World Health Organization officially presented hundreds of bicycles and motorcycles to the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health here today to strengthen health care and disease surveillance activities throughout the country.

The 300 black bicycles and 124 bright red motor cycles were purchased with US$ 500 000 acquired by WHO via the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund. These items strengthen Zimbabwe's ability to prepare for and respond to potential health concerns, including cholera outbreaks and the pandemic H1N1 2009.

Harare, 22 October 2009. The Zimbabwean health system was given a boost yesterday when WHO handed over vehicles and other commodities to strengthen EPI surveillance, and disease outbreak preparedness and response to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare.

Harare, 27 January 2010 -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), handed over to WHO, 50 000 personal protective equipment (PPEs) kits for influenza preparedness for use by health workers in Zimbabwe and throughout Southern Africa. The kits were handed over at a colourful ceremony which was attended by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr H. Madzorera, the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe ,Charles Ray, WHO IST/ESA Coordinator, Dr O. Walker, and USAID Director, Karen Freeman, among others. 

Harare, 16 February 2010 -- WHO made history today as it became the first UN agency in Zimbabwe to open a fitness centre and tennis/basketball court for staff members. The state of the art facilities were inaugurated at a colourful ceremony in the WHO gardens by the WHO Representative, Dr Custodia Mandlhate, and the Director for Administration and Finance (DAF) in the African Region, Mr S. E. Haarman.

Harare, 24 March 2010  -- Today Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World TB Day under the theme On the move against tuberculosis – Innovate to accelerate action. The event, which took place at the Glamis Stadium in Harare brought together the different players in TB, including ex-TB sufferers, health workers, community health promoters, and members of the uniformed forces.

Harare, 29 March 2009 -- Zimbabwe needs around $8.5 mil to curb the on-going measles outbreak. This was said by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Madzorera in a joint press conference with UNICEF and WHO. “Measles in Zimbabwe has reached crisis levels and urgent action needs to be taken to curb the epidemic,” said Dr Madzorera as he called on all political and community leaders to ensure their constituencies are involved in supporting and upholding the health of children.

Harare, 29 March 2009 -- Zimbabwe needs around $8.5 mil to curb the on-going measles outbreak. This was said by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Madzorera in a joint press conference with UNICEF and WHO. “Measles in Zimbabwe has reached crisis levels and urgent action needs to be taken to curb the epidemic,” said Dr Madzorera as he called on all political and community leaders to ensure their constituencies are involved in supporting and upholding the health of children.

Harare, 12 April 2010. The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare is holding a joint review and planning meeting for the upcoming National Immunization Days (NIDs), and Child Health Days (CHDs) from 12 – 16 April 2010 at the Rainbow Towers in Harare.

The meeting has brought together EPI officers, child health officers, and health promotion/social mobilisation officers from all provinces and cities, and representatives from the 3 major EPI partners; WHO, UNICEF, and Helen Keller International to review disease surveillance and plan for the upcoming CHDs.

Harare, 12 April 2010. The Zimbabwean malaria control programme was given a boost on 8th April, when WHO handed over vehicles, malaria commodities, and medicines to strengthen malaria control activities, and EPI disease surveillance, to the Minister of Health and Child Welfare.