National

Health committee workshop highlights the need for decisive policy on healthcare services for unaccompanied minors

Published

7 months ago

September 24, 2024

BY DANIEL MOLOKELE

The Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe recently held a successful workshop focusing on the Medical Services Amendment Bill in Masvingo.

While the workshop covered various aspects of the bill, one critical topic stood out: the need for a decisive policy regarding access to healthcare services for unaccompanied minors, especially adolescent girls.

This issue is particularly crucial as unaccompanied refugee minors, like those in Zimbabwe, are a vulnerable group with limited access to healthcare services.

They often experience higher levels of psychiatric morbidity and trauma, making it essential to address their mental health needs.

The workshop highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to ensure these minors receive necessary healthcare services.

Some key points discussed during the workshop include:

– Renewing efforts to allocate at least 15% of the 2025 national budget towards public healthcare services, as per the Abuja Declaration of 2001.
– Developing a decisive stance or policy on access to healthcare services for unaccompanied minors, especially adolescent girls.
– Addressing the growing number of teenage pregnancies in Zimbabwe and the need for a national strategic response.
– Preliminary discussions on the proposed national health insurance bill, which will soon be presented to the Cabinet for approval.
– Call for a more coordinated approach among stakeholders to address the challenges affecting healthcare services in Zimbabwe.

The workshop concluded with a call to action, encouraging the public to propose amendments to the original Act.

The Portfolio Committee on Health and Childcare will conduct public hearings across the country to gather national input on the Medical Services Amendment Bill.

This is a significant step towards ensuring that unaccompanied minors, especially adolescent girls, receive the healthcare services they need.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

11 hours 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

2 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.