Munyaradzi Blessing Doma

NBSZ target 13 000 units of blood for festive season

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is targeting to collect 13 370 units of blood as the demand increases during the festive season due to home and road accidents.

This was revealed by NBSZ Chief Executive Officer Lucy Marowa on Monday as she launched her organisation’s festive season campaign for blood collections.

The campaign started on the second week of November and ends on the first week of January next year, throughout the country and NBSZ is targeting to have 81 sessions.

Marowa revealed that NBSZ operates from five branches, namely Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Gweru and Mutare.

And from these five sites, they are targeting 28 sessions in Harare, 10 sessions each in Bulawayo and Gweru, 17 sessions in Masvingo and 16 in Mutare and they hope to collect a total 13 370 units.

NBSZ estimates that these units should be enough to take us through to the month of January.

“Year in, year out, we always do these festive season campaigns. Why do we do it, because year in, year out, statistics show us that during the festive season, the need for blood is heightened.

“The need for blood is heightened due to accidents not only on the roads but even in our households.

“Festive season is a time for merrymaking and with merry making, comes a lot of accidents that happen in the home; accidents that also happen on the roads as people travel to and from their homes to the various places to meet with friends and family.

“And with that, there is a burden on the blood supply. And as National Blood Service Zimbabwe, it is our responsibility to make sure that the nation has adequate stocks of blood during this festive season,” said Marowa.

She added that the need for more blood during the festive season also coincides with the closure of schools after the third term.

Marowa further added that this is a difficult time for blood collections because this is the time when Form Fours and Sixes are writing their examinations and such, blood collections are low from the schools.

“When our collections are lower during the term and we do not take the right step to prepare for the festive season, it means that we will get into the festive season without adequate stocks and this coupled with the heightened need for blood, is a recipe for disaster.

“Which is why as National Blood Service Zimbabwe we take it upon ourselves, year in, year out to partner with various organisations, various individuals and anyone that is prepared to help the nation through campaigning for more blood donors from the school leavers, from the adult communities in order for us to boost the stocks between the month of November and January to make sure that we have enough stocks to tide us over until schools reopen in January.

“However it is only possible when both adults and school leavers alike come together and donate blood.

“When it comes to school leavers, we will have a targeted approach where we will call them to specific sites, through our database and bring them all together, especially in the month of June, which we have dubbed our youth donor month.

“With the adults, we will specifically look at their work places, partnering with their employers and come to them as and when we can.

“Therefore we call upon the corporates community to support us in any way they can, any level of support is possible,” added Marowa.

She further revealed that corporates can support them by mobilizing a blood drive at their organisations if the numbers are sufficient.

And they can also support them through sponsoring a blood drive as Marowa reiterated “any form of sponsorship is welcome in terms of donor refreshments, tokens of appreciation, fuel for blood collection, anything and everything is welcome.”

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Include elderly patients in HIV prevention campaigns

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

There is need to highlight HIV prevention campaigns in elderly patients, as it has been noted that there is an emerging challenge of increasing number of people aged 50 and above living with the virus, an HIV Clinician has revealed.

Doctor Cleophas Chimbetete revealed this on Tuesday during a media science cafe on “HIV and Ageing”, organised by the Health Communicators Forum and the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Centre.

He revealed that over the years, there seems to have been more focus on the younger generation, whilst a lot of issues concerning the elderly patients were emerging.

“There is a realisation that there is an emerging challenge of more and more elderly patients living with HIV in their old age, so in terms of strategies to address this problem number one; we need to highlight HIV prevention even in elderly patients.

“Those of us who are involved in HIV prevention campaigns such as PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis), such as circumcision, whatever form of HIV prevention campaigns, let’s include the elderly as well.

“Realizing that they remain at risk of new infections,” said Dr Chimbetete.

He further revealed that as elderly patients visit health institutions for any other medical reasons, personnel should offer HIV testing, so that they (elderly patients) are not left behind.

“Number two; when we see elderly patients coming to our hospitals, facilities, for whatever medical reason; let’s offer HIV testing because we have noticed a delay in HIV diagnosis.

“Because some of the symptoms of HIV infections in this age group, they mimic old age and they are just dismissed as part of the ageing process and we don’t want late diagnosis of HIV in this generation of people.

“We also realise that HIV is a risk factor for a number of other conditions, so people living with HIV in old age are more likely to have other conditions such as hypertension, such as diabetes, mental health issues, such as also being at greater risk of cancers such as cervical cancer.

“So us as care providers we must now offer a holistic approach or comprehensive approach to the care of elderly patients.

“We don’t want OI (Opportunistic Infections) clinics that just look at viral loads, without BP machines, without glucometers to test blood sugar.

“We don’t want health care workers who only understand HIV management and not understand our national guidelines in terms of how we manage hypertension, how we manage diabetes, how we screen for common cancers. “So we want a holistic approach, we are offering free services for HIV clients and these services must also mean that we offer free treatment where possible for these common non communicable conditions,” added Dr Chimbetete.

Doctor Trevor Kanyowa, World Health Organisation (WHO) Zimbabwe, Technical Lead Healthier Populations, said the trend of a number of older people living with HIV is being noticed, not only locally but regionally and globally.

“This is mainly because of two reasons; the first reason is that we now have effective anti retroviral medicines of high quality and these medicines are enabling people to live healthier and longer lives.

“So we have people who acquired the HIV virus even before they had aged, managing to grow into the older age groups still living with the virus but living healthy and longer lives.

“The other reason is that whilst we know that even at younger age groups, HIV is still being acquired, we have also noticed that the risk of acquiring it in older ages has also increased, this is for a number of reasons.

“The reasons include the issue of the information that people have, for example there is a general belief that HIV is for younger people so therefore older people are less likely to use protective measures as compared to the other age groups.

“We also notice that for instance, older persons may lose a partner and then may opt to go into a new relationship, they may opt to marry or opt to live with a boyfriend or a girlfriend but there is not that much effort to check one’s status in that age group and as a consequence, they acquire the infections.

In 2022 UNAIDS estimated that 24 percent or 4,2 million of people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally were aged 50 years and older and in Zimbabwe, 22 percent of PLHIV (28 407) are 50 years and older.

“So these are the main things that are making us see that we have HIV rates increasing in the older age groups,” said Dr Kanyowa.

He also revealed that it has been noticed that the figures of young people acquiring HIV are dropping, whilst the population with HIV in the older age group is rising.

“If you then look at it as a proportion, it will appear very much bigger in the older age group.

“This is what we are noticing and these trends are what we need to focus our responses on,” added Dr Kanyowa.

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Let’s not be complacent in HIV and AIDS fight-Dr Pari

**Dr Parirenyatwa (left) and Dr Madzima during Monday’s curtain raiser press conference on ICASA**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The fight against HIV and AIDS is not yet over as there are still new infections emerging, while Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) remain a major health issue, a health official has said.

Doctor David Parirenyatwa, president of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) official organisers of International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) revealed this on Monday during the curtain-raiser press conference of the 22nd ICASA.

The 22nd ICASA will be held in Harare from 4-9 December.

Dr Parirenyatwa also revealed that ICASA will be preceded by two highly level meetings on the 2nd of December, one will be looking at the elimination of mother to child transmission and will be spearheaded by the First Ladies within the Africa Region.

And also on the same day, there will be another meeting of Ministers of Finance to discuss issues of how finances can be raised to enable the fight against HIV, TB, Malaria and other infectious diseases.

“Just to say Zimbabwe is fully ready to receive the possible 8 000 participants who would be coming to attend this meeting here in Harare.

“And we are very clear in our minds that the fight against HIV and AIDS must continue because as our theme says, “AIDS is not yet over” , so we need to continue to fight HIV and AIDS.

“There has been apparent complacency in the fight against HIV, people are now saying well I think we have done enough for HIV but I want to remind ourselves that there are still infections that are happening especially among the youths on HIV and AIDS.

“Therefore we must continue to look at the key areas where we must fight HIV and AIDS,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He also revealed that the invite (to attend ICASA) is for many other participants especially those that are contributing towards the fight against HIV and AIDS in their institutions.

Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora who is also the ICASA 2023 vice president, in a presentation made on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze, said all was in place for the country to host the conference.

He further revealed that the programme is ready and all government systems and structures from security, banking, accommodation, transportation, health and others have been mobilised to provide the necessary support and services, before and during the conference.

“All delegates are assured that Zimbabwe remains a peaceful destination and their security will be assured.

“Our providers of accommodation services are all ready and capable to meet the various requirements of the visitors.

“Our health systems and services have also been mobilised to ensure that both visitors and locals have access to the needed services during the conference,” said Dr Mombeshora.

Turning onto the issue of Cholera which is a current issue in some parts of the country, Dr Mombeshora said, “I wish to assure you all and our visitors that the isolated outbreak is being contained and our surveillance system is exceptionally effective and has picked all cases and have been treated.”

National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima, who is also the head of the 22nd ICASA local secretariat, also reiterated that the country was prepared in terms of transportation, both ground and air and accommodation to receive the visitors.

“We have made sure that we have an efficient transport system both on the ground and in air; we have a steady inflow of airlines which are adequate to cover for our visitors and we have also mobilised ground transport services at an agreed standard fare.

“As such all designated vehicles for pick ups and drop off points will be marked.

“We have put solid packages (accommodation) for all delegates; they are advised to log onto the ICASA website,” he said.

Dr Madzima further said visitors were also encouraged to experience the prowess of Africa and its unending cultural and entertainment appeal.

He said Zimbabwe had profound and magnificent tourist destinations which include the Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe itself, the Manna Pools and various parks, some which are close to Harare, which they could also visit.

“We want to encourage our delegates to take time before and after the conference to visit these places and experience Zimbabwe’s real cultural and natural wonders,” he said.

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Dapivirine vaginal ring should be rolled out to the public

…as South Africa orders 16 000

Dapivirine vaginal ring should be rolled out to the general public

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The dapivirine vaginal ring which has proved to be an effective HIV prevention tool should be rolled out to the general public so as to give people more options in the fight against the epidemic, a Kenyan Behavioural Scientist and Public Health Expert has revealed.

Doctor Daniel Were revealed this in Nairobi during a recent media symposium with senior health journalists from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The symposium was hosted by AVAC and MESHA.

Doctor Were said that while countries acted differently when it comes to HIV prevention, it was vital that others learn from those who would have led on such initiatives.

“What we have seen overtime is that there are countries where the governments move very fast, and there are countries where the governments move much slower as far as prevention is concerned.

“The important thing here is how do we use those countries that are on the forefront to try and encourage the others to also go faster,” said Dr Were.

He added, “this is a call to the government but also other donor agencies that work closely with the Kenyan government that how do we fast track the availability of these products to be available to the public.

“When I talk about fast tracking, there are issues around procurement to make sure that the product such as the dapivirine ring are available,” said Dr Were.

He said the dapivirine vaginal ring whose studies had proved 35 percent efficacy, was not yet available to the general public in Kenya but only for trials.

Dr Were also revealed that the dapivirine vaginal ring which is inserted every 28 days, costs US$7 to produce and US$12-US$13 to procure.

Bridget Jjuuko from AVAC, said failure to implement the roll out of the ring could be linked to funding, hence governments had to find other sources of funding.

“We have seen that the ring is not going to be funded by PEPFAR, so if PEPFAR is not going to be funding the ring, who else is going to fund the ring,” quizzed Jjuuko.

Jjuuko also revealed that allocation of resources towards HIV prevention for women and girls was what the Choice Manifesto was all about, which is an initiative on women led HIV prevention interventions which was launched in Uganda in September.

And true to Dr Were’s assertion on how governments respond differently, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa who had all given the nod to the dapivirine vaginal ring, were beaten to it by the latter which recently revealed that it was set to start a roll out for use by the general public.

AVAC in its Weekly News Digest of September 29 reported that South Africa, which has the largest epidemic of the virus in the world, was soon going to roll out the vaginal ring.

“The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said three groups involved in the fight against AIDS in the country have with its support, placed an initial order of 16 000 rings-that are expected to become available in the coming months,” read the report.

While Zimbabwe was one of the countries to have approved the ring, unlike its neighbour South Africa, the HIV prevention option is not yet available to the general public.

Pangea Zimbabwe AIDS Trust (PZAT) Senior Programs Manager, Definate Nhamo told this reporter that in Zimbabwe “the ring is currently not available to the general public.

“It is only available through implementation science studies.”

According to the International Association of Providers of Aids Care, the dapivirine vaginal ring is a flexible vaginal ring made of silicone and slowly releases an antiretroviral (ARV) medication called dapivirine over the course of one month to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

The dapivirine vaginal ring which is a form of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), is termed a female initiated option to reduce HIV infection.

According to the NHS Inform, pre-exposure means it’s taken before sex and prophylaxis means to prevent disease-in this case, by stopping one from getting HIV if taken correctly.

Speaking further on the dapivirine vaginal ring, Dr Were revealed that it was one of the options for HIV prevention because “available methods have not done enough to slow the epidemic among women and there was need for discreet products that women can use on their own terms.

“No one product will solve the HIV epidemic hence women need multiple prevention options that make sense for their lives.”

He added that from the researches that were done among women on the dapivirine vaginal ring, it was shown that they (women) were comfortable with it, as they did not feel it during any of their daily activities.

Dr Were also revealed that the women said they were willing to use it if effective and it has little or no impact on sexual experience and while on their period.

He also revealed that for men who were with someone putting on the dapivirine vaginal ring; most did not feel it during sex, no impact on sexual pleasure.

Dr Were also revealed that that in preparing for the dapivirine ring introduction, there was a pathway to achieve scale up.

“Regulatory approval; submission of regulatory dossiers for product approval from local national health product bodies.

“Government buy in; in order for a health product to be adopted into government policy, plans for introduction are developed through national technical working group structures and national level committees.

“Prior project projects donor funded sites; prior to large-scale up roll out pilot studies which are often donor funded are conducted across sites and populations to determine feasibility and the most effective implementation strategies.

“Broader scale roll out (government clinics) once pilot studies have demonstrated feasibility and the most effective implementation strategies, these strategies are applied to a broad scale public health roll out,” said Dr Were.

Following South Africa’s giant leap, it now remains to be seen whether other African countries where the ring has been approved, will also make orders for the use by the general public.

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Cholera is caused by poor hygiene and not demons-Rev Chitanda

UDACIZA Secretary General Reverend Innocent Chitanda

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Cholera outbreak which has wrecked havoc in the country is caused by poor hygiene standards and the disease should never be linked to any demonic attack, Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches and Zionists in Africa, Secretary General Reverend Innocent Chitanda has revealed.

Reverend Chitanda further revealed that hoping to get treatment of Cholera from divine intervention will be stretching it too far as this can only be done by getting treatment and practising good hygiene.

He revealed this on Thursday during a media science cafe on Life Course Immunisation, which was organised by the Health Communicators Forum and the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Centre.

His sentiments follow calls made by some sects which shun medical attention, saying the disease will be treated through divine intervention.

“There are demonic diseases, then there are diseases which are caused by the environment; so if we speak of Cholera, there is no way we can include the Holy Spirit in Cholera because it’s not a demonic disease.

“The moment we regard it as demonic, then we have to use the spiritual aspect but Cholera is not a demonic disease, we must be true about it.

“It is caused by the negligence of a human being, whoever has put his waste in the water sources and people by chance get in contact with that dirt.

“So there is no way we can associate the Holy Spirit with Cholera just because it is human error which caused Cholera,” said Reverend Chitanda.

According to the World Health Organisation, Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by eating or drinking food or water that it contaminated with bacterium vibrio.

It spreads rapidly in areas where there is poor sanitation.

However a member of Vapostori VeDare Madzimai Chipo Musonza who was part of the meeting, did not seem to agree, saying that their belief in their church is that all diseases are only cured by the Holy Spirit.

She said despite numerous calls for their members to participate in vaccination programmes or other health initiatives, they will continue to shy away because their only source of hope lies in the divine power of God.

“As members of the Vapostori VeDare, we don’t believe in immunization, even going to the hospital. we only believe in the Holy Spirit.

“So it is our belief that there is no disease which can be said to be incurable by the Holy Spirit. We believe that anything that can trouble let’s say a child, can only be solved by the Holy Spirit.

“And I can give you an example of maternity; we have women in our church who are responsible for that. We have our own midwives within the church who are there to make sure that all deliveries are done in safe and clean environments.

“You can also look at our own children; you will find that there are just a few who maybe of ill-health because they will always be protected by the Holy Spirit.

“Like when you talk of fontanel (nhova), we know it’s caused by dehydration, so we make sure that we encourage all mothers to give their children enough water and there will also be prayers done for those same children so that they are always protected,” said Madzimai Musonza.

She also revealed that at their church they had been warned prior to the emergence of Covid-19 and they were all protected by prayers.

“When Covid-19 came we were not vaccinated because what we believe in is that there is no disease outbreak which will start without the Holy Spirit aware of it.

“So when the Holy Spirit warns us, we will be given special prayers in relation to that (outbreak) so that we are protected.

“So yes diseases can come but we will always be protected by the Holy Spirit, so we are not even worried or bothered,” said Madzimai Musonza.

The Chairperson of UDACIZA Harare Province, Mr Njagu said while there are about 1 000 apostolic sects and their organisation has 620 members (churches and zionists), they all don’t have the same beliefs.

He said some believe in vaccination, while others shun it totally.

“We all don’t believe the same, some believe in vaccinations, while others don’t believe in that. Yes in my church we do believe that diseases can be cured by prayer and we even have some people who come and get prayed for.

“But we then discovered that there are some diseases which can be cured by prayer while others will need medical attention, like in the case of Cholera.

“We saw that we cannot talk of prayer so we allowed our people to get medical assistance; I’m saying this on behalf of my church.

“So we are encouraging others to follow the medical route especially when it comes to Cholera, because we saw that there are times we were burying people as a result of vaccine preventable diseases,” said Mr Njagu.

City of Harare Expanded Programme on Immunisation Officer, Sister Monica Muto, said though some apostolic sects say they don’t seek medical attention, some of their members come nicodemously for health services.

She said in some cases, people end up making individual decisions which they know will save them and their families.

“It’s something that we noticed that though some sects bar their members from seeking medical attention, some members go to the hospitals nicodemously.

“It is something we have understood hence in such cases, they don’t queue with the rest of the people, we offer them special treatment because we are aware of the issues issues, we give them privacy.

“For some you will find out that their husbands will be refusing that they take the children to seek medical attention but the mothers want to take their children to the hospitals so we offer them the necessary support. For some we keep their medical records at the health institutions,” said Sister Muto.

There has been several calls for health authorities to find common ground with some religious sects as it was seen that issues to do with health science have a huge difference from some spiritual beliefs.

Madzimai Chipo Musonza

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Collaborations needed in circumcision drive

PSH Operations Research Specialist Handrick Chigiji-pic by Daphne Machiri

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Health authorities are collaborating with traditionally circumcising communities so that they can find common ground on how best they can work together in promoting one of HIV’s prevention methods.

And the results have been good as some of the communities like the VaRemba, have warmed up to the idea of working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and its supporting partners.

This was revealed by Handrick Chigiji, Operations Research Specialist at Population Solutions for Health, on the sidelines of the recently held National AIDS Council HIV Research Symposium.

Chigiji’s sentiments follow revelations by some members of the traditionally circumcising communities emphasizing on proper collaborations so that they can work with health authorities in their circumcision drive.

National AIDS Council defines male circumcision as the surgical removal of the fold of the skin that covers the head of the penis (foreskin or prepuce).

“There have been efforts to work together with these groups and one of them is the VaRemba Traditional Ceremonies that we are also trying to come in and provide support in terms of ensuring that they can continue with their ceremonies, the male circumcision; where the procedures are being done medically so there are engagements already.

“Last year we provided that support through the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure that is done.

“And this year again, the ceremony was done in Buhera, the team from Ministry of Health got support from other partners to ensure that service in a safer way.

“And also for them to get all the support they require and that team was ensuring that the service is done in a medical way,” said Chigiji.

Chigiji further revealed that the visit to the VaRemba community had also given them the opportunity to collect necessary data on the Shang ring, which is another male circumcision option.

“Basically we also took that opportunity to capture the data on the Shang ring and we captured their experiences as well, in terms of their acceptability so we are getting the request to support their ceremonies.

“It also shows that the ring has been accepted because it’s now being utilised, so we got a number of clients who were circumcised with the ring but also there are some who also prefer the surgical so it gives them a wider choice because we have these methods being offered.

“So it gives the clients, the option to choose when they have more than one option,” added Chigiji.

A member of the VaRemba community who attended the symposium said health authorities should find ways of collaborating with their communities so as to co-exist in the circumcision drive.

He added that it were better if health authorities train some of their members so that they can in turn pass on the knowledge to their peers.

“It would be better if health authorities train one of us than for them to think we can allow them to come and circumcise our members during our ceremonies.

“Circumcision is something we have been practicing before all these efforts, so there is need for some serious collaborations if we are to work together,” he said.

Fair Planet reports that as part of the VaRemba male rites of passage, boy and men from the age of 12 are taken for initiation rituals during winter. It is during these initiation ceremonies that the boys get to be circumcised.

It is reported that in 2007, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and WHO recommended voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) to reduce the risk of men acquiring HIV infection during heterosexual exposure.

The World Health Organisation further revealed that the recommendation was based on strong evidence from randomized controlled trials showing an approximately 60 percent lower risk.

It is also added since 2007, more than 27 million VMMC procedures have been performed in the 15 priority countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Political parties called to remove campaign posters

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Cabinet has called upon all political parties to remove campaign posters which have remained on many buildings, walls and other infrastructure following the August 23 and 24 harmonised elections.
The directive was made during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting after a presentation by Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu on solid waste management.
Minister Ndlovu said there was an environmental crisis mostly in urban areas hence several measures were put in place to address the anomaly.
“All political parties should be compelled to mobilise their constituents to remove their campaign materials from the environment and ensure that it is properly disposed of with the assistance of local authorities,” read the post Cabinet briefing.
It was reported that Cabinet had highlighted “that the deplorable state of cleanliness across the country, particularly in urban areas is due to local authorities’ ineptitude and negligence in collecting and managing solid waste disposal.
“On its part, central Government has made interventions to redress the situation, including introduction of the National Clean Up Campaign in 2018 and declaration of a State of Disaster in Harare Metropolitan Province in 2023.
“An Emergency Solid Waste Management Programme is currently being implemented under the State of Disaster declaration,” further read the post Cabinet brief.
Several measures were also put in place to control the proliferation of waste which has become an eyesore across the country including a Statutory Instrument (SI) which will be publicised to make the National Clean Up Programme compulsory for Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Local Authorities, the business sector, vendors, retailers and manufacturers.
Other measures included; “that local authorities should localise the SI by promulgation of the relevant by-laws.
“That funds collected by Local Authorities from residents for waste management will be ring-fenced in-order to ensure that the Authorities do not divert the funds to other uses, with EMA supervising the usage of the funds.
“That deterrent fines for public littering will be introduced and enforced, and repeat offenders charged with no option of a fine but given mandatory community service;
“Road and rail authorities will be compelled to ensure that road and rail servitudes are litter-free, and to undertake regular clean ups along the servitudes and at lay-bys.
“Public transport vehicles that dump waste along roads shall be fined up to Level 8 with the responsible transport operator or owner also being liable.
“That massive awareness and education programmes be undertaken, starting with a re-launch of the National Clean Up Programme in order to embed a mindset against littering and general disorder,” further read the post Cabinet briefing.
It was also resolved that in the medium-term, more efficient usage and disposal of plastic carrier bags and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers will be promoted in order to address the challenge of plastic waste.
“Long-term measures include increased waste recycling business and introduction of levies to deter the importation of materials such as plastics and disposable nappies whose management of post-consumer use is problematic.
“The education curriculum will also have deliberate learning programmes on cleanliness and management of waste from the lowest levels going up,” added the post Cabinet briefing.
It remains to be seen when political parties will take heed of the Cabinet’s directive to start disposing their campaign materials.

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Sanganai/Hlanganani buyers begin pre-tours

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

More than 40 buyers who arrived in the country for the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo have begun their pre-tours of top resort towns in preparation for the 16th edition of the tourism event which will take place from October 12-14 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) says over 100 buyers from various countries around the world will be attending this year’s expo.
And as is customary, the buyers are taken on tours of the country’s resorts to explore potential business opportunities.
“The tours have already commenced in Nyanga, Vumba, Mutare, and Kariba. We have seen 312 exhibitors from regional and international markets registering to participate in this premier business exchange platform,” said Godfrey Koti, Head of Corporate Affairs at ZTA.
Koti added that they are expecting buyers from Zimbabwe’s traditional source markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, China and Dubai.
He expressed excitement about the positive response from the international community, especially from the critical source markets they work with.
Koti further revealed that there are several highlights to look forward to, including the Aviation Development Forum, Buyers and Media Cocktail, Welcome Party and Food Expo on the 12th. The following day there will be Speed Networking Session and Tourism Investment Forum, while the last day will have Career Guidance Seminar and Family Fun Day (Public Day).
The tourism extravaganza is an annual event held in Zimbabwe, showcasing the country’s vast tourism potential.
It attracts a wide range of local and international exhibitors, industry professionals, and visitors interested in exploring Zimbabwe’s unique attractions and investment opportunities. Its aim is to elevate Zimbabwe’s status as a world-class marketing platform and generate significant revenue for the tourism sector.

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450 bottles of illegal cough syrups confiscated at Old Trafford

Some of the confiscated bottles of cough syrups

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has confiscated 450 bottles of illegal cough syrups (BronCleer and Adco-Salterpyn) during a raid at a flat in Harare.
The raid which was conducted on Wednesday at Old Trafford flats located at 13 Edmond Avenue in Belvedere, Harare, followed a tip off.
MCAZ Director General Richard Rukwata said the significant seizure is part of the authority’s ongoing efforts to combat drug and substance abuse as well as the illegal distribution and misuse of pharmaceutical products within the country.
“During the operation, MCAZ Inspectors working with Officers from the CID Drugs and Narcotics, discovered and seized 350 bottles of BronCleer cough syrup and 100 bottles of Adco-Salterpyn syrup.
“The suspect present at the scene is currently cooperating with law enforcement agencies to assist with their investigations into this matter.
“BronCleer and Adco-Salterpyn Syrup are opioid containing cough syrups which are not registered in Zimbabwe. “Opioids are considered Dangerous Drugs and these cough syrups are being abused by opioid drug addicts.
“Its misuse poses serious health risks and can lead to various complications if not used under proper medical supervision,” revealed Rukwata.
Rukwata further said they remain committed to safeguarding public health by ensuring that only authorized and regulated medicines are available on the market.
“The authority will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the illicit trade of such substances.
“MCAZ urges members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the drug and substance abuse and distribution or sale of unregulated pharmaceutical products,” added Rukwata.
MCAZ recently revoked 6 permits for wholesale dealers and cancelled 4 person licences for drug peddling, as the on-going fight against drug and substance abuse is intensified.

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Drones used in drug fight

drone-depositphotos

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse has revealed that drones are now being used to monitor the country’s border areas so as to curb the smuggling and trafficking of drugs.
Presenting a report from the task force, Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who is also the Chairperson of the National Committee on Drugs and Substance Abuse, said drones are being used in addition to the traditional surveillance at the country’s points of entry.

According to Wikipedia, a drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

In this case it has a camera attached to it for surveillance.
It was also heard during Tuesday’s Cabinet that “four ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) Drugs and Narcotics Units have been established at four border posts, namely: Beitbridge; Victoria Falls; Chirundu; and Mutare.
“These posts at points of entry are meant to curtail the inflow of drugs. Inland posts have also been established at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls airports”.
The National Committee which meets regularly has reports from pillars covering period between July 7 to September 23 this year.
And the pillars are; the Supply Reduction; Demand Reduction; Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation; Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-Integration; Media and Information pillars.

“Under the Supply Reduction Pillar; raids and operations against drug suppliers, dealers and peddlers are regularly conducted, and a total of 5 367 offenders were arrested during the period 7th July to 23rd September, 2023.
“This represents a sharp increase on the 4 328 arrests made for the whole year of 2022. A total of 81 bases, where drug users and peddlers converge to sell and consume drugs, were destroyed during the period under review.
“Interventions by the Liquor Licensing Board have reduced unlicensed liquor outlets, vendors and peddlers as well as licensed outlets operating outside the agreed terms and conditions.
“These include inspections of premises, investigations against public complaints and cancellation of licenses.
“The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has cancelled 7 licenses for wholesalers and deregistered one.
“Going forward, Cabinet agreed to enact the relevant legislation for the establishment of a Drug Elimination Agency to govern and coordinate all national activities on drug and substance abuse,” read the post Cabinet briefing.
Under the Drug Reduction Pillar, it was reported that there is need to raise awareness and public education; peer-to-peer support; guidance and counselling; community dialogues; exhibitions; and livelihood skills and entrepreneurship capacity building programmes so as to reduce the desire of illicit and illegal drugs.
Awareness programmes reached 715 515 people through various activities including Higher and Tertiary Education institutions mandatory awareness campaigns, and engaging artists and sportspersons as Ambassadors.
It was also reported that the National Committee is developing standard information dissemination tools which will be used by the sub-national structures, traditional leadership and religious organizations in conscientizing families and communities.
And guidance and counselling sessions as well as maintenance of a safe school environment continue to be a priority for Government.
“Under the Harm Reduction, Treatment and Rehabilitation Pillar, drug rehabilitation services were provided in Government and private health institutions.
“A total of 1 093 new patients were attended to at mental health institutions. Of special note is that the first stand alone Government drug rehabilitation centre was opened at Chipadze Detox Centre on 24 July 2023.
“Pertaining to Psycho-Social Support and Community Re-integration, there are two outpatient rehabilitation and psycho-social support centres in Bulawayo and in Harare.
“Other activities under the pillar include parenting programmes, online psycho-social support services, and research and evidence gathering,” further read the post Cabinet briefing.
Meanwhile Cabinet also resolved that Doctor Agnes Mahomva who was recently appointed the Public Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet, be appointed as the National Coordinator of Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Drugs and Substance Abuse.

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