The mass drug campaign to control, eliminate and eradicate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like elephantiasis, spearheaded by the Health and Education ministries across the country, could not have come at a better time given the plethora of challenges Zimbabwe is going through at the moment.
NEWSDAY COMMENT
We applaud the international community for this well-deserved assistance as it comes at a critical juncture when Zimbabwe’s health and education sectors are in the doldrums. The fact that the proposed campaigns will be done in collaboration with the End Fund and Unicef for the mass treatment of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), intestinal worms and bilharzia shows the goodwill citizens have with the international community.
We, therefore, urge communities to present themselves at nearest schools, health facilities and designated outreach points countrywide for the free treatment.
However, we note with concern the fact that previous mass drug administrations have been met with resistance from the public due to unfortunate incidents where schoolchildren were taken ill or even died after reacting to the drugs administered during such campaigns.
Whether it was a mere coincidence or not, the responsible ministries did not adequately explain the circumstances, and despite promises to furnish the nation with the results of the investigations, this is yet to happen.
Perhaps the resistance by the public could have been that the government and its partners could have fallen short on raising awareness of the programme around the nation.
Therefore, there is need for the Health and Child Care ministry to alert citizens of a possibility of likely side effects, if any, and/or provide valid and timely explanations in the unlikely event of death in the administration of the drugs.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Because the drugs are largely donated, conspiracy theories are abound and many people are not too keen to let their children take the drugs which are administered simultaneously during the health campaign period.
Clearly, most parents were caught unaware during the last campaigns and merely received pieces of notes instructing them to endorse the programme if they wanted their child to partake in the campaign. Many were left in a quandary on whether to commit their children to something that they did not really understand.
It is our hope that such incidences will be reduced this time around.
We are sure that if this happens again this time around, this will reflect badly on Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa and his deputy Aldrin Musiiwa. Hence, the Health ministry should avoid these blips as they will short-change the citizenry.
Half-baked explanations are not convincing and that is the reason why Zimbabweans today are not too comfortable with such mass drug campaigns. It is disfavour to the children and the adults who might benefit from such campaigns if vital information is withheld from them.
While it is understandable that every drug has side effects and that some people with other underlying conditions will be affected, it is the duty and mandate of the Health ministry and its partners to go to great lengths to inform the public.
If it is a question of a prerequisite that children be fed well prior to receiving the drug, vulnerable groups of society, in particular in resettlements and rural areas, must be given food packs in advance.
No doubt, the idea is a noble one, but there is need to engage everyone concerned and ensure that a backup system is in place to monitor and evaluate results immediately to avoid any deaths.
Parirenyatwa’s ministry should also be willing to take up suggestions and incorporate them into the next campaign.
