Ministry of Health and Child Care

30/05/2021

With a target of 600 per day, 425 (69%) children have received their Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine by mid day in Chitepo B community, ward 9, Mbire District, Mashonaland Central Province.

With a target of 600 per day, 425 (69%) children have received their Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine by mid day in Chitepo B community, ward 9, Mbire District, Mashonaland Central Province.

28/05/2021

Zimbabwe introduces Typhoid conjugate vaccines.

The Government launched vaccination campaign starting from 24 May up to 4 June 2021 to provide catch up Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine vaccination for over 6 million children aged 9 months to below 15 years in line with recommendations from global and local immunisation experts.

The children are receiving Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine through routine immunisation at 9 months of age. This will significantly reduce the number of children susceptible to Typhoid with government’s agenda to eliminate Typhoid and other outbreak prone diseases like Cholera.
Outbreaks since late 2016 have significantly increased the burden of typhoid in Zimbabwe over the past few years. In the first quarter of 2018 alone, Zimbabwe recorded 2,920 cases.

In 2017, the Government of Zimbabwe recorded: 3,806 typhoid cases or around 23 cases per 100,000 population; and 6 typhoid deaths.

WHO in March 2018 recommended that typhoid-endemic countries introduce prequalified TCVs into routine childhood immunization programs as a single dose for infants and children over 6 months of age, accompanied by catch-up vaccination campaigns for children up to 15 years of age, where feasible.

Zimbabwe is one of the first countries in the African region to take the bold step of introducing Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine into routine immunization-only coming second to Liberia which introduced the Vaccine this April.

28/05/2021

Masvingo, 25 May 2021: Bondolfi College Declared Covid-19 Hotspot
Following a report of a Covid 19 positive case on 21/05/21 of a college student, investigations revealed that most students on campus were declared as potential contacts due to the learning environment of mixing and shifting classes. The index case had moderate symptoms and was admitted at Rujeko isolation facility in Masvingo City for observation and symptomatic treatment. The patient is doing well today. Two very close contacts of the index case were tested on 23/05/21 and one came out positive while the other was negative.
Investigations revealed that the index case had no history of travel outside college campus since schools opened and had no visitors.
Mass testing for Covid 19 was done, 363 borders and 5 nonresidents. Of the 16 (14 females and 2 males) who tested positive were asymptomatic except one with a mild sore throat.
Cumulative positive cases for Bondolfi as of 21/05/21 =18 cases (all students)
There is no confirmed history of travel to Covid 19 hotspot areas and all those who tested positive (contacts).
Measure put in place by the government to control the spread of COVID-19 virus.
1. Bondolfi college has been declared as hotspot for the district hence all the 345 students to be put on quarantine for 14 days.
2. Testing of the remaining 345 students on campus and staff as of 26 May 2021.
3. Visit to facility by District rapid response team on the 26th of May 2021.
4. Two isolation areas established at the college and daily monitoring for symptoms.
5. Regular disinfection of clinic, isolation Centre, Quarantine Centre (hostels ablutions since shared), dining hall.
6. Provision of PPE, disinfectants and other required sundries to be facilitated by DHE.
7. No visitors to be allowed into the campus until the situation is stable unless visit is an emergency authorized by responsible authorities.
8. Continued health education session to those in quarantine and those isolated separately on signs and symptoms of Covid 19 and also hygiene issues.
9. EHTs assigned to conduct case investigation for each positive patient.

26/05/2021

We’ve Covid-19 genomic sequencing capacity: VP

We’ve Covid-19 genomic sequencing capacity: VP
https://www.herald.co.zw/weve-covid-19-genomic-sequencing-capacity-vp/

Zimbabwe's largest daily newspaper

24/05/2021

There is nothing to fear, everything is under control. Let's keep following instructions given by WHO and let's keep safe.
#zimcovidsafe
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24/05/2021

Zim earns another WHO praise

Zim earns another WHO praise
https://www.herald.co.zw/zim-earns-another-who-praise/

Zimbabwe has launched the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), becoming only the third country in the world to make it part of its routine immunisation programme.

21/05/2021

PRESS RELEASE BY MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE 21 May 2021

Following localized cases of Covid 19 that occurred in Kwekwe during the period 09/05/2021 to 21/05/2021, the Ministry of Health and Child Care would like to advise the nation that;

1. The Genomic sequencing done on the viral strain in Kwekwe, detected the presence of B.1.617.2 strain. This is a sub-species of the strain that was first identified in India.
2. The last case was on 14 May 2021.
3. The Ministry immediately put up measures to control the spread of the disease in Kwekwe. These included:-
a) Case investigation and contact tracing
b) Health education
c) Disinfection of supermarkets, OK Mart, Amaveni Dumpsite, Pump Station, Kadenhe Home, Old Gokwe Road, Amaveni, Junk Yard pavement, National Test Seed pavements
d) Quarantine of positive cases and close contacts
e) Risk communication and community engagement
f) Community awareness and campaigns were intensified
g) Screening of school children that were contacts

Further measures being taken are:
i) Health Education continued.
ii) LOCAL LOCKDOWN OF KWEKWE DISTRICT FOR 2 WEEKS EFFECTIVE 21 MAY 2021. This entails
- Curfew running from 7pm to 6 am.
- No visitors to all boarding schools and all day schools to observe strict Covid 19 school protocols.
- Opening of business hours run from 8 am to 5 pm.
- All bars, drinking places beerhalls and bottle stores to be closed.
- All gatherings (weddings, church services and all other public and private groupings) are banned.
- All FUNERALS must be supervised by health personnel and should not gather more than 30 people.
- Travellers through Kwekwe are strongly being advised to spend as little time as possible in Kwekwe during the next two weeks.

Hon. Gen. (Retd) Dr. C. G. D. N Chiwenga “GCZM”
Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Minister of Health and Child Care

20/05/2021

Zim tops SADC in Covid-19 vaccination

Zim tops SADC in Covid-19 vaccination
https://www.herald.co.zw/zim-tops-sadc-in-covid-19-vaccination/

Zimbabwe has surged ahead of all mainland SADC countries in terms of procurement and administration of Covid-19 vaccines with the top-rated national vaccination programme in the region.

19/05/2021

19 MAY 2021
STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE, GEN. (RETD) DR. C. G. D. N. CHIWENGA ‘GCZM’ ON COVID 19 CONTAINMENT IN RESPECT TO THE NEW VARIANT INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNTRY FROM HIGHT RISK AREAS

1. Genomic sequencing test was carried out on samples collected from a reported focalized outbreak in Kwekwe which was linked to a traveller from India on the 29th of April 2021, a high risk Covid 19 transmission area.

1.1. The test conducted revealed that

a. the B.1.617 variants predominantly from the Republic of India was detected at the focalized outbreak in Kwekwe
b. The nation is therefore advised that this variant B.1. 617 is now in Zimbabwe.
2. The following travel advisory is therefore being issued
a. People traveling from or transiting from India will be subject to mandatory quarantine at a designated quarantine centre and at their own cost
b. These travellers will be subjected to a Covid 19 test on arrival despite the status of their travelling certificate
3. Furthermore, the Ministry would like to advise that everyone must abide by the following Covid 19 regulations;
a. Maintain social distancing at all times
b. Continue to use face masks at all times
c. Continue with regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizers
d. Desist from unnecessary travel outside own household
e. Take the Covid 19 vaccine from the nearest health centre in your area which is providing the vaccine
4. Travellers coming into the country from other countries should present with a Covid 19 PCR test done not more than 48 hours from the time of departure, failure of which this will be done on arrival on one`s expense. Travellers will be quarantined for 10days from date of arrival.

Hon. Gen (Retd) Dr. C.G.D.N Chiwenga ‘GCZM’
Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and
Minister of Health and Child Care

14/05/2021

Free paediatric orthopaedic hospital commissioned

President Mnangagwa flanked by Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr C. Chiwenga and Jonathan Simpson officially commissioned the Bulawayo Orthopaedic Hospital.

President Mnangagwa appreciates Public Private Partnership between the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust while commissioning Bulawayo orthopaedic hospital today
He said that,” Sustainable development that leaves no one behind is a collective process which involves all stakeholders and never a preserve of just government. In this spirit, the Paediatric Orthopaedic centre we are commissioning today is the first of its kind at a national public hospital”.
“The centre will improve access to specialist orthopaedic surgery and corrective care for children with conditions such as clubfoot, bowed legs, knock knees,, rickets and cerebral palsy, among other health challenges,” he said.
“Our commitment to complete and deliver high impact projects, which prioritise the needs of the people are ongoing, with greater urgency. This is in view of the need to put in place critical building blocks towards achieving the National Development Strategy-1 (NDS-1), Vision 2030. My Government will indeed leave no stone un-turned to ensure that all the people, in all parts of the country, enjoy a better quality of life,” he said.
He underscored the quality of service and introduction of new tertiary care services which was not available in the country.
“This is in sync with Second Republic’s thrust to deliver a public health care system envisioned in the Health Sector Coordination Framework and the United Nations Universal Health Coverage aspirations”.
“The partnership with the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust Cure Children’s hospital and other stakeholders to complement Government effort in the health sector is commendable and most appreciated”.
He applauded the decision by the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust to provide capacity building and training in orthopaedics to staff at the United Bulawayo Hospitals and speaks to his administration’s drive to fill the manpower skills gap through specialised education and training.

The President invitated the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust and similar organisations to ride on the ongoing focus on research and innovation in higher and tertiary education, to deepen synergies and collaboration as well as further strengthen the national response to the ever-changing health sector realities.
“On its part, Government remains focussed on delivering on aspects under the four pillars for reforming the health sector. These include the public health strategy and guidelines formulation; pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical product manufacturing; biomedical engineering; as well as biomedical and laboratory sciences.
“I challenge other organisations and professionals both within the country and abroad, in various medical specialist fields, to also take up the challenge as we accelerate the
Given the success of this project, the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Constantino Chiwenga added, “This momentus occasion bears ample testimony of low-hanging fruits of the cordial Public Private Partnership that exists between the Ministry of health and Child Care and the Zimbabwe Orthopaedic Trust,”
“The achievement is historic and set to transform the face of public health particularly in this province,” he said.
According the Cure Children’s Hospital Zimbabwe, Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Simpson, apart from free surgeries for children under 18, Zimbabwe Orthopaedic trust guarantees to provide a minimum of 300 free operations in the first year, 400 in the second and 500 annually thereafter.

“We acknowledge that, in addition to the surgeries, there is a great deal of need in terms of psychosocial support when treating children with disabilities. Often children are traumatised by the stigma and shame they face due to their disabilities and so, while they are here, we also take the opportunity to ensure that children receive the counselling they need”

“In time, we will also offer outreach clinics to review children in district hospitals and clinics prior to their treatment here. We know that not every child or family will be able to come to us and so we want to make sure that even the remotest areas of the country know about the services we can offer. We also intend to engage families, churches, and community leaders in various platforms on the topic of disability to raise awareness and to tackle the stigma that is so often attached to disability,” said Simpson.

The President reminded public take …. “Let us carry on wearing masks, sanitising and practicing social distance. In the same vein, I call upon all those who are eligible to go out in our numbers and get vaccinated under the on-going National Vaccination Programme. No one is safe until everyone is safe.

13/05/2021

Ministry of HealthZW on Twitter

The President E.D. Mnangagwa officially opens the Bulawayo Orthopaedic Hospital. 14 May 2021, in Bulawayo.
https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim/status/1392920084109316096

“The President E.D. Mnangagwa officially opens Bulawayo Orthopaedic Hospital, 14 May 2021”

10/05/2021

"Hakuna akachengetedzeka kusvika munhu wese achengetedzeka" (WHO).Baiwa nhasi udzivirire denda reCovid-19.

03/05/2021

"No one is safe, until everyone is safe"(WHO). Get vaccinated today.
#zimcovidsafe
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29/04/2021

Isu veBazi reHutano nekuchengetedzwa kwevana ticharamba tichikupai nzira zhinji dzinotibatsira tese pakurwisa denda reCovid-19.
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27/04/2021

COVID-19 vaccination milestone: Victoria Falls achieves herd immunity - ZBC NEWS

COVID-19 vaccination milestone: Victoria Falls achieves herd immunity
https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/covid-19-vaccination-milestone-victoria-falls-achieves-herd-immunity/

ZIMBABWE’S tourism capital, Victoria Falls has achieved COVID-19 herd immunity threshold following the roll out of the second phase of the mass vaccination programme by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month…

27/04/2021

Ministry of HealthZW on Twitter

COVID-19 update: As at 26 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 38 102 confirmed cases, including 35 149 recoveries and 1 560 deaths. To date, a total of 353 834 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim/status/1386771081223184389

“COVID-19 update: As at 26 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 38 102 confirmed cases, including 35 149 recoveries and 1 560 deaths. To date, a total of 353 834 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.”

26/04/2021

Ministry of HealthZW on Twitter

COVID-19 update: As at 25 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 38 086 confirmed cases, including 35 123 recoveries and 1 557 deaths. To date, a total of 336 600 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim/status/1386397700908781574

“COVID-19 update: As at 25 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 38 086 confirmed cases, including 35 123 recoveries and 1 557 deaths. To date, a total of 336 600 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.”

25/04/2021

Ministry of HealthZW on Twitter

COVID-19 update: As at 24 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 38 064 confirmed cases, including 35 101 recoveries and 1 556 deaths. To date, a total of 324 488 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim/status/1386047507919261698

“COVID-19 update: As at 24 April 2021, Zimbabwe had 38 064 confirmed cases, including 35 101 recoveries and 1 556 deaths. To date, a total of 324 488 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.”

22/04/2021

Ministry of HealthZW on Twitter

The UBH's COVID-19 isolation and treatment center, Bulawayo Orthopedic Hospital and Ekusileni hospital isolation are doing their preparations to be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa in May this year.
https://twitter.com/MoHCCZim/status/1385328220065734667

“UBH and Ekusileni hospitals' COVID-19 isolation and treatment centres, and Bulawayo Orthopedic Hospital are doing preparations to be officially opened by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa in May this year.”