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Government gives greenlight for protection of Medical Cannabis

The Ministry of Health and Child Care was part of the Cannabis Roundtable Zimbabwe meeting which was held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel, Harare under the theme” Unlocking the challenges and Potential of Cannabis as an Alternative Medicine. “

Addressing delegates at the meeting this Wednesday, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. Gen.(Retd)Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, in a speech read by Deputy Minister Dr. John Mangwiro, said the use of cannabis should be restricted to medicinal uses and research.

“I would like to underscore that whilst the Government encourages the legal production of Cannabis for medicinal use as well as for research purposes”, said the Vice President through Dr. Mangwiro.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) are the authorities to consult if one is keen to embark on Cannabis production and beneficiation, the Minister reiterated.

The Minister encouraged local professionals not to be left behind if there are genuine socio-economic and environmental benefits that accrue from cannabis.

“It is therefore quite remarkable that Zimbabwe’s nascent cannabis industry is gathered here today, to map strategies around the potential and challenges of cannabis as alternative medicine”, said Dr. Chiwenga.

To date, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued more than 60 Medicinal Cannabis licences and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has issued more than 25 Hemp permits.

Zimbabwe became the second country in Africa after Lesotho to legalise the production of Cannabis for Medicinal and Scientific purposes in 2018. Cannabis is expected to grow from USD 28 billion in 2021 to USD 197 billion by 2028.

Get Vaccinated# Defeat COVID-19

Get Vaccinated# Defeat COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccination which was introduced in March 2021 is still continuing until all eligible people are vaccinated and protected. The service remains available at all health facilities when there are no mass vaccination campaigns. From time to time the Ministry of Health and Child Care conducts mass vaccination campaigns in different communities.

What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines?

COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing severe illness and death. Getting vaccinated protects you, your friends, your workmates, your family and the nation at large. COVID-19 vaccines remain effective across different variants of the virus and people should continue to get vaccinated even when new variants come. Vaccines provide protection against long COVID which has been linked with the ongoing omicron variant outbreak. Parents and caregivers should encourage and allow children from 12 years upwards to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Treatment of COVID-19

Treatment of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health and Child Care advises the public that there is no specific medicine to prevent or treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19). There is no evidence that the various concoctions that are being advertised or written about work. Those infected with the virus receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms while those with severe illness receive optimized supportive care. Some patients with severe COVID-19 may need supportive care to help them breathe.

Self-care

If you have mild symptoms, stay at home until you have recovered. You can relieve your symptoms through rest, sleep, keeping warm and drinking plenty of fluids.

Please, if you develop a fever, cough, and have difficulty in breathing, promptly seek medical care. Call your health care provider in advance and tell them of any recent travel or recent contact with travellers.

For prompt assistance, call the Ministry of Health and Child Care toll-free line 2019 or the Youth Advocates Forum toll-free line 393. The lines operate 24 hours a day.

Advisory on Use of Masks

Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to encourage the use of masks to curb the spread of Covid-19.

When to Use a Mask

The following are situations in which people are encouraged to use masks.

For healthy people wear a mask only if you are taking care of a person with suspected COVID-19 infection
Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing
Masks are effective only if used in combination with frequent hand sanitizing with alcohol sanitizer or soap and water
If you wear a mask you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

How to Use and Dispose of a Mask

Avoid touching the mask while using it
If you touch the mask while using it, clean your hands with sanitizer or water and soap.

How to Put on, Use, take off and Dispose of a Mask

Before putting on a mask clean hands with sanitizer or water and soap
Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it becomes damp
To remove the mask: Remove it from behind ( do not touch the front of the mask)
Immediately discard into a closed bin.
Clean hands with sanitizer or soap under running water
Do not re-use single use masks

Continue practising hand hygiene

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