New research from THRU ZIM is providing important evidence to inform the care of children and adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV. Drawing on findings from two randomised controlled trials—the VITALITY and BREATHE studies—researchers have identified effective approaches to managing two common HIV-associated complications in young people. The policy brief, authored by Dr. Sophie Moss and Professor Rashida Ferrand in collaboration with the trial teams, sets out evi

The Y-Check study made strong impression at the 13th International Adolescent Health World Congress on Adolescent Health held in Jamaica from May 13–15, 2026, showcasing innovative research and practical solutions for improving adolescent health. Farirai Nzvere opened the conference with a presentation about the patterns of health risk behaviours among adolescents in urban Zimbabwe, highlighting the need for inclusive care for both physical and mental health conditions and in

Nineteen outstanding Early Career Researchers recently celebrated the completion of their PHD and MScs achievements at a special award ceremony held on 8 May 2026 in Harare. The cohort comprised 11 PhD and 8 Master’s graduates, who successfully completed their studies through a network of esteemed local and international partner universities. These include the University of Zimbabwe, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, The University of Manc

The PROMISE trial partnered with ‘Someone Always Listen To you (SALT) Africa’, an organisation which specialises in maternal mental health through offering counselling, bereavement therapy, and perinatal mental health support, to convene a two-day training workshop for Harare City Health staff. The initiative invited two nurses from each PROMISE Polyclinic, with a total of 28, for the opportunity to be trained on maternal mental health and bereavement counselling. The main ob

At the end of May, the Parent & Baby Room at the Health Research Unit Zimbabwe was officially opened — a dedicated space located at the office and designed to support working parents. The facility provides a safe and welcoming environment for young children up to the age of 6 to play and rest while their parents attend to their work responsibilities. The room also includes a private breastfeeding and pumping area, as well as facilities for milk and food preparation, and a cha

The Cardiac Phenotypes in Pulmonary TB (cTB) and Characterising Heart Disease in African Youth with Perinatally Acquired HIV (CHART-HIV) studies recently conducted a series of intensive preparatory training sessions in April with healthcare staff, aimed at strengthening site readiness ahead of participant recruitment for the two studies in Africa. These sessions were designed to equip clinic-based research teams with the knowledge and practical skills required for high-qualit

TAMIRA has reached a significant milestone in menopause health research in Zimbabwe, successfully convening the Inception Meeting for the Menopausal Health Community Guidance Group (MGG). This marks an important step toward more inclusive and responsive care. The meeting brought together midlife women, community stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and ministerial representatives, creating space for open, honest dialogue. Participants did more than share perspectives but t

Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge, with over 10 million people developing the disease each year and persistent gaps in early detection. RADIO TB aims to tackle that. Their multi-country research focuses on patients whose chest X-rays and symptoms are suggestive of TB but their initial smear tests do not have TB bacteria, by creating a 4 month treatment process. This addresses a significant gap in current TB management in how best to support individuals with

From over 600 applicants, 15 outstanding young people were selected to join the 2026 Youth Researchers Academy (YRA), marking another milestone in nurturing youth-led research in Zimbabwe. The cohort participated in an intensive week of hands-on learning designed to strengthen their capacity in research methodology, presentation skills, and meaningful engagement. Sessions were facilitated by experienced THRU-ZIM researchers and partner experts, providing participants with pra

The Significance of Hypertension in Early Adulthood Research in Zimbabwe (SHEAR Zim) study has reached an exciting milestone, with 750 of its planned 1,000 participants now enrolled—just one year after recruitment began on 24 February 2025. So far, participants have come from Budiriro, Mufakose, and Highfields. The strong support of these communities, together with the work of community health workers, has been key to the study’s progress. Each participant takes part in a det

We proudly celebrate six of our fellows awarded PhDs from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. This milestone is a direct reflection of our commitment to building scientific capacity in Zimbabwe and the region. Developing the next generation of health researchers is not peripheral to our mission — it is the mission. We congratulate each graduate on this outstanding achievement and look forward to the contributions they will continue to mak

We are proud to celebrate Maureen Tshuma on successfully passing her APR2 with no corrections. This outstanding achievement reflects the strength, clarity, and quality of her doctoral research that focuses on promoting and maintaining the functional ability of older adults with particular emphasis on strengthening their cognitive and psychological well being. Her APR2 review feedback says it all: “Tremendous work! Highly recommend to finish off strong! Novel interventions wel

THRU ZIM had the privilege of hosting Catherine Draper, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet Regional Health – Africa, for a two-day visit in the first quarter of 2026. A central highlight of her visit was a focused seminar with researchers on developing strong, competitive manuscripts for publication in the journal. In her presentation, Dr Draper emphasised the importance of methodological soundness, clear articulation of regional relevance, and research that demonstrates tangible

Dr Farirayi Kowo recently conducted a DXA operator training session at the Well Woman Clinic, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bone health services in Zimbabwe. The training was organized by the Zimbabwe Osteoporosis and Bone Health Association (ZOBS). Participants received hands-on training in bone mineral density assessment, body composition analysis, and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA), building critical skills for the early detection and management of osteopor

CREATE PhD Fellow Maureen Tshuma successfully delivered the National Training of Trainers Workshop for Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Zimbabwe (CST-Z) from 9–13 February 2026 in Harare. The week-long workshop brought together trainers from a wide range of organisations and institutions working directly with older adults and people living with dementia across Zimbabwe. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions, learned about the development and evaluation of CST-Z, and were equ

THRU ZIM has officially launched the RESTORE project following a three-day investigator meeting that convened partners, frontline health care workers, community representatives and key stakeholders. RESTORE is funded by the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases and is designed as an implementation research initiative focused on strengthening tuberculosis (TB) care through integrated, person-centred approaches. Despite the interconnected needs of people affected by TB, essentia

Dr. Nyasha has been awarded a highly competitive postdoctoral fellowship with the Southern Africa Research Capacity Network (SOFAR), marking an exciting new chapter in her research career

The PROMISE team kicked off 2026 on a high note, welcoming new staff to strengthen participant recruitment and outcome ascertainment. New team members completed protocol training from 12–14 January, followed by a two-day refresher training (15–16 January) with the full PROMISE team. The refresher training focused on how the team follows mothers and babies after birth and gathers key study information. Staff reviewed procedures for the birth visit and follow-up visits at one w

The Health Research Unit is excited to announce the launch of the CHART-HIV study, a Wellcome-funded project led by Dr Edith Majonga. The research aims to improve the understanding of heart disease in young people living with HIV in Africa. By carefully assessing heart structure and function, the study will generate crucial evidence to support better prevention, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular disease. As part of the study setup, a dedicated ultrasound machine h

We are delighted to share the news that Tinotenda Taruvinga has passed his PhD viva today, subject to minor corrections. Please join us in congratulating him on an excellent thesis exploring the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health workforce, maternal and child health services, and wider lives and livelihoods in Zimbabwe. Supervisors: Justin Dixon and Katharina Kranzer Abstract: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as the most significant health