Health Cluster

The cluster focuses on the One Health approach, which recognizes the deep interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, promoting integrated efforts across sectors to prevent and manage health risks, including emerging zoonotic diseases.

Disease Control & Pandemic Preparedness

  • Management of disease outbreaks and health emergencies.
  • Continuous surveillance of disease patterns.
  • Rapid response teams for immediate outbreak control.
  • Public awareness campaigns on symptoms and prevention.
  • Collaboration with community stakeholders for effective response.

Vaccine Unit

  • Localization of livestock vaccine production to enhance availability.
  • Focus on preventing diseases: Theileriosis, Newcastle disease, Blackleg, Lumpy skin, Anthrax, Foot and Mouth Disease.
  • Research on vaccine efficacy and safety.
  • Community outreach programs to promote vaccination awareness.
  • Collaboration with veterinary services for vaccination campaigns.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

  • Focus on prevention, early detection, and management of NCDs.
  • Research on lifestyle factors contributing to NCD prevalence.
  • Identification of biomarkers for major cancers (e.g., cervical, breast).
  • Development of screening programs for early detection.
  • Advocacy for establishing a Cancer Research Laboratory in Zimbabwe.

Food Safety & Nutrition

  • Monitoring of potable water and environmental quality.
  • Regular quality checks on food raw materials and products.
  • Development of authenticity tests to detect food adulterants.
  • Training programs for meat processing and food safety.
  • Innovation in food products, like fortified cereals and herbal blends.

Laboratories & Testing Unit

  • Development of rapid diagnostic tests for various pathogens.
  • Creation of biosensors for pathogen detection, including AMR.
  • Implementation of Point-of-Care microbial testing.
  • Enhancing access to microbiological testing facilities.
  • Continuous improvement of laboratory testing capabilities.
  • Data-sharing platforms for labs to strengthen research collaborations.

Infectious Diseases Management

  • Focus on priority diseases: HIV, TB, malaria, cholera, and more.
  • Development of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria species.
  • Strengthening local health responses and disease management.
  • Community education on prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
  • Research on improving diagnostic capabilities for major infections.

eHealth Innovations

  • Utilization of digital technologies to enhance healthcare delivery.
  • Implementation of electronic health records (EHR) for better patient management.
  • Development of mobile health applications for chronic disease management.
  • Promoting telemedicine for patients in underserved areas.
  • Enhancing patient engagement through educational resources.
  • Address cybersecurity and data protection in electronic health systems.
  • Explore integration with wearable health monitoring devices.

Occupational Health & Safety

  • Development of advanced personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Environmental monitoring through Internet of things (IoT) to ensure workplace safety.
  • Implementation of fatigue and impact detection systems in helmets.
  • Training programs on safety protocols and hazard recognition.
  • Regular assessments of workplace conditions to reduce risks.
  • Industrial effluent testing.

Primary & Secondary Healthcare

  • Addressing chronic drug shortages and ensuring medication access.
  • Validation of traditional knowledge and complementary medicines.
  • Promoting the consumption of medicinal herbs through product development.
  • Public awareness campaigns on the benefits of herbal remedies.
  • Collaborating with local pharmacies and healthcare providers for better service.

Training Services

  • Good Laboratory Practices
  • Gas Chromatography (GC-FID)
  • High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC-DAD)
  • Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS)
  • Meat Processing: Biltong and Sausage Making
  • Food Safety & Food Defence Along the Food Chain
  • Vegetables Preservation and Pickling
  • Sequencing and Sequence Data analytics
  • Industrial Biosafety