Health Promotion Association of Zimbabwe

Health Promotion Association of Zimbabwe is thrilled to commemorate Africa Day with you. Lets embrace the unity and strength of our beautiful continent. Happy Africa Day!

Happy workers day.

🌍 25 April is World Malaria Day. Malaria, though preventable and treatable, still affects many, especially among vulnerable groups due to poverty and limited education.

Those most at risk are:
👶🏾 Young children
👨🏿‍🌾 Migrant workers
🤰🏽 Pregnant people

Learn more here https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-malaria-day/2024

🌍 22 April Earth Day! Climate change impacts all the ingredients of good health like:

💨 Clean air
🚰 Safe drinking water
🥦 Nutritious food supply
🏡 Safe shelter

Let’s prioritize health for all

🌏 4 billion people are at risk for Dengue fever around the world, with some in entirely new areas. There is currently no treatment so prevention is important. Here’s how:

🦟 Use mosquito repellants
💧 Cover water storage containers
🛏 Sleep with a mosquito net

🌱 Greener, healthier and more sustainable transportation is essential for healthy cities. If it’s safe to do so, try out:

🚶🏻 Walking
🚴🏽‍♀ Biking
🚃 Public transportation

🗳 If it’s not yet safe in your city, demand action from policymakers to prioritize your health and invest in sustainable cities.

The Health Promotion Association of Zimbabwe
Celebrating Zimbabwe's Independence Day and the Gains Towards Public Health and Health Promotion

18th April 2024

On this glorious day of Zimbabwe's independence, we, The Health Promotion Association of Zimbabwe, extend our warmest regards and congratulations to all Zimbabweans on the commemoration of this historic occasion. This significant day marks the achievements and milestones attained over the years, particularly in the realm of public health and health promotion.

Since gaining independence, Zimbabwe has made tremendous strides in the field of public health. The government, under the visionary leadership of President E.D. Mnangagwa, has prioritized the well-being of its citizens and focused on ensuring equal access to healthcare for all. The second republic has been relentless in its pursuit of the "nyika inovakwa nevene vayo" mantra, which translates to "the nation is built by its people." This philosophy has been instrumental in shaping policies that facilitate health promotion and uphold the right to healthcare for every Zimbabwean.

One of the key achievements of the second republic is the establishment and implementation of the Vision 2030 framework. This ambitious blueprint envisions a Zimbabwe where no one is left behind, a country that thrives on inclusive development and ensures the well-being of all its citizens. Health promotion plays a vital role in achieving this vision, as a healthy population is the backbone of a prosperous nation.

Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, significant improvements have been made in several areas of public health. The government has worked tirelessly to enhance the healthcare infrastructure by renovating existing facilities and constructing new ones in underserved areas. This has resulted in improved accessibility to healthcare services for all Zimbabweans, regardless of their geographical location.

The government has implemented robust health promotion campaigns, focusing on disease prevention and health education. These initiatives aim to create awareness about lifestyle choices, nutrition, hygiene practices, and the importance of regular health check-ups. By empowering individuals with knowledge and promoting healthy behaviors, Zimbabwe has witnessed a decline in preventable diseases and an improvement in overall well-being.

The second republic's emphasis on research and innovation has also contributed to advancements in public health. Collaborations between government institutions, academia, and international organizations have fostered the development of groundbreaking solutions. These include the introduction of telemedicine services, mobile health applications, and digital health education platforms, which have greatly enhanced accessibility to healthcare information and services, particularly in remote areas.

The government has been proactive in tackling pressing health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Through strategic partnerships and increased funding, significant progress has been made in reducing the burden of these diseases and improving the quality of life for affected individuals and communities.

As we celebrate Zimbabwe's independence, let us reflect on the remarkable achievements made towards public health and health promotion. The dedication and unwavering commitment of President E.D. Mnangagwa, along with the resilient spirit of the Zimbabwean people, have been critical in this journey. However, there is still much work to be done in the pursuit of the Vision 2030.

On behalf of The Health Promotion Association of Zimbabwe, we applaud the government's efforts and urge all stakeholders to continue working together towards a healthier and prosperous Zimbabwe. Let us celebrate today with gratitude for the gains achieved and with renewed determination to leave no one behind on our path towards a brighter, healthier future.

Happy Independence Day, Zimbabwe!

Sincerely,

The Health Promotion Association of Zimbabwe

Happy International Women's Day

Happy International Women's Day

Lets be hygienic to prevent the spread of cholera, typhoid and all diarrhoeal diseases. It begins with you.

The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is .

When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world.

And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

Collectively, let's forge a more inclusive world for women.

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.

❌ There is no safe level of alcohol consumption. This means any amount of alcohol poses health risks. Alcohol consumption leads to poor health outcomes because it is toxic and carcinogenic. It can cause at least seven types of cancers.

🚰 Opt for a refreshing, alcohol-free drink and notice your overall health improve.

Learn more here 👉 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol

March is TB Awareness Month

A total of 1.3 million people died from TB in 2022 (including 167 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS).
In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children. TB is present in all countries and age groups. TB is curable and preventable.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Only about 2 in 5 people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2022.
Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 75 million lives since the year 2000.
US$ 13 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target agreed at the 2018 UN high level-meeting on TB.
Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prevention

Lifestyle changes and regular screening can help prevent colore**al cancer.

Lifestyle changes to help prevent colore**al cancer include:

-eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
not smoking to***co
keeping an active lifestyle
avoiding alcohol consumption
avoiding exposure to environmental risk factors.
People who suspect they may have colore**al cancer should speak to their healthcare provider right away.

Regular screening for colore**al cancer (secondary prevention) is the best way to catch the disease early.

Treatments are more likely to cure the disease in the early stages.

Studies have shown that screening can reduce both the incidence and mortality of colore**al cancer through early detection and removal of precancerous growths.

Stool-based tests are non-invasive screening methods used to detect the presence of colore**al cancer or precancerous polyps in the stool. The common type of stool-based tests is the f***l occult blood test (FOBT). FOBT detects hidden blood in the stool, which can be an indicator of colore**al cancer or polyps. It involves collecting a small sample of stool and sending it to a laboratory for analysis. If blood or abnormal findings are detected in the stool, further diagnostic procedures, such as colonoscopy, are usually recommended to confirm the presence of colore**al cancer or polyps.

Stool-based tests are convenient, non-invasive, and can be effective in detecting colore**al cancer at early stages or identifying precancerous polyps.

Individuals with a family history of colore**al cancer or certain genetic conditions may benefit from genetic counselling and genetic testing to assess their risk and determine appropriate screening measures.

Symptoms

Colore**al cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages. Regular screenings are important to catch the disease early and begin treatment.

Common symptoms include:

-changes in bowel habits such as diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool
-blood in the stool (re**al bleeding), either bright red or dark and tar-like
-abdominal cramps, pain or bloating that won’t go away
-unexplained weight loss that is sudden and losing weight without trying
-feeling constantly tired and lacking energy, even with enough rest
-iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic bleeding, causing fatigue, weakness and paleness.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of developing colore**al cancer include:

-age: the risk of developing colore**al cancer increases with age, with most cases occurring in individuals over 50 years old;
-family history: a family history of colore**al cancer or certain genetic conditions, such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), can increase the risk;
-personal history: individuals who have had colore**al cancer before or certain types of polyps are at a higher risk; and
-lifestyle factors: unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in processed meats and low in fruits and vegetables, sedentary behaviour, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption, can increase the risk.

Colore**al cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) or re**um. It is one of the most common types of cancer
worldwide. It can cause severe harm and death.

The risk of colore**al cancer increases with age. Most cases affect people over 50 years old.

Common symptoms include diarrhoea, constipation, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and low iron levels.

Many people will not have symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

The risk of colore**al cancer can be reduced by eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, not smoking to***co and alcohol. Regular screenings are crucial for early detection.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In 2020, more than 1.9 million new cases of colore**al cancer and more than 930 000 deaths due to colore**al cancer were estimated to have occurred worldwide. Large geographical variations in incidence and mortality rates were observed. The incidence rates were highest in Europe and Australia and New Zealand, and the mortality rates were highest in Eastern Europe. By 2040 the burden of colore**al cancer will increase to 3.2 million new cases per year (an increase of 63%) and 1.6 million deaths per year (an increase of 73%).

Incidence rates of colore**al cancer have been decreasing in high-income countries, largely as a result of effective screening programmes. The prognosis for colore**al cancer varies depending on the stage at diagnosis. Early-stage cancers have higher survival rates than advanced-stage cancers. Timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and regular follow-up care are important for improving survival rates and quality of life.

Colore**al cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer cases and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
It predominantly affects older individuals, with the majority of cases occurring in people aged 50 and above.
Several lifestyle factors contribute to the development of colore**al cancer such as a high intake of processed meats and low intake of fruits and vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Colore**al cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited.
The incidence and impact of colore**al cancer can be significantly reduced by implementing primary prevention strategies such as adopting a healthy lifestyle, avoiding risk factors, and practicing early detection through screening.

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Nationwide Polio Campaign

A small misunderstanding of the current outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived Poliovirus type 2 in the country is being sensationalized in a news item.

We are glad that by chance the author of the article attended our in-depth interactive session between journalists and health specialists
Don’t be scared by the article if you are considering having your child vaccinated against type2 polio. The vaccines will be withdrawn after these two reactive vaccination rounds.

Keep the vaccination record safe in case it becomes a travel requirement since the country has confirmed cases of this circulating form of the poliovirus
2 initial rounds were recommended by W.H.O. We can’t rule out more.

1. Thr are 3 types of polio viruses (type 1, type 2 and type 3)

2. We have an outbreak caused by vaccine derived Polio virus type 2

3. In this campaign (A response to the current outbreak) we are using a monovalent type 2 vaccine (nOPV2). It's a novel vaccine which is more genetically stable (NB reducing the risk of mutation)

4. This campaign ll has 2 rounds February and March (about 3 weeks apart)

5. After the campaign all the vaccines (nOPV2) will be destroyed

NB nOPV2 vaccine is different from vaccines which were used in previous campaigns (IPV & OPV)

Why will they be destroyed?
For reducing chances of mutation and spilling to the environment.

Why so many vaccines for kids lately?
1. In previous campaigns, we were reacting to outbreaks in neighbouring countries (we know vaccination is a key primary prevention strategy)

2. Then now (this current campaign) it's a response to an outbreak (we had a case in Sanyathi and 4 Polio positive samples form environmental sampling

3. Each vaccine is in line with the Polio eradication initiative

As parents, we have concerns, but also, vaccine issues are population-based decisions. My unvaccinated child may put my neighbours children at risk. Hunhu comes into play.

From the conversations we're having with communities and parents, I can say most hesitant parents end up agreeing.
If someone misses the first dose can they get the second?
Lets also, think of those who will be born after the 1st round (will they get dose 2)
And those hu received the 1st dose but will be 10 years at 2nd dose (will they get the second dose).

Meanwhile for immediate information needs the following site will assist:

GPEI-Homepage To help end all polio transmission and meet the broader health needs of communities now, the GPEI works with a range of partners...

Nationwide Polio Campaign

Bulawayo teams in action. At the clinics, at street corners and in peri urban areas.

Polio Nationwide Campaign

Buhera Mudavose mother's waiting for vaccines to arrive.

Polio Nationwide campaign

St Augustine's house to house vaccination in Mutasa District.

Polio Nationwide campaign

District SOS team including MOPSE rep supporting H2H team in Peri Urban location of Mutasa District

Nationwide Polio Campaign

Ruchanyu Clinic Shurugwi district.