National

African regional health experts gather to discuss NCDs burden

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2023

BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI

Health experts from across Africa are meeting in Victoria Falls to discuss ways of addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases, which according to experts, are the leading cause of mortality.

NCDs include diabetes, hypertension, car accidents, asthma, cancer and others.

They are the new leading cause of death worldwide particularly in low and middle-income countries thereby presenting a huge threat to health and development.

Speaking at the 2nd African Regional Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Conference, Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro said Government targets to cascade healthcare to village level to be able to deal with NCDs.

“NCDs are common and a burden so as government we want to ensure village healthcare is capacitated so that everyone seeking medical attention accesses it at village level,” said Mangwiro.

The concern is that people are not aware of their blood pressure levels, daily temperatures, asthma levels and other conditions which usually results in death.

The burden of NCDs continues to grow and during Covid-9, the majority of victims were those with underlying conditions, most of them NCDs.

In 2019 NCDs were responsible for 37 percent of mortality, up from 24 percent in 2000.

There are concerns about slow implementation of policies agreed upon at high level political meetings and a call has been made for countries to address these issues and implement programmes that improve health.

Zimbabwe is working on a universal health coverage programme which will see people accessing primary health care at their doorstep.

Mangwiro said this will help address challenges of NCDs.

World Health Organisation representative at the conference, Anderson Chimusoro said NCDs affect lives of millions of people in communities where access to proper healthcare is limited.

He said NCDs are an enormous drain to global and national economies, costing US$30 trillion in years 2011 to 2030.

This has a negative impact on health and leaves people vulnerable to other diseases like HIV and TB, as well as pandemics like Covid-19.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

6 days ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.