Story by Memory Chamisa
THE government is on course to eliminate tropical diseases in Zimbabwe through mass drug administration across the country.
The move comes at a time when Manicaland and Mashonaland Central Provinces have recorded the highest prevalence rate of Schistosomiasis, commonly known as Bilharzia and worm infection (Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis).
Neglected Tropical Diseases are the least talked about, funded, and researched but a significant number of cases and deaths have been recorded.
In his presentation on media training on Neglected Tropical Diseases, the Director-National Institute of Health Research in the Ministry of Health and Childcare, Professor Nicholas Midzi revealed some of the interventions the ministry has put in place as part of efforts to eliminate them.
“Neglected Tropical Diseases are preventable and treatable. Bilharzia and soil-transmitted helminthiasis have been noted to affect children and women, especially in impoverished communities, but improved sanitation, clean water supply for hand washing after toilet use and cleaning of foodstuff before consumption is one of the easiest ways to avoid them. On mass administration, we have been targeting schools,” said Professor Midzi.
Some of the media participants spoke on the importance of training programmes, especially in this day and age of citizen journalism, which has resulted in the circulation of distorted information.
“The onus is on us media practitioners to ensure we report on health issues that are the least much talked about but affecting communities. As we heard today people in rural areas are the most affected by bilharzia and earthworms as most of their water sources are shared with animals, laundry to mention a few. And honestly, it’s rare to find reportage on such cases as people give prominence to topics that are relevant that time or much-publicized but in reality these cases are out there,” said a journalist.
“There is a need for journalists to verify and be factual of what they are reporting about, especially in news reporting,” added another journalist.
According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, 20 million people are treated for bilharzia across the world with the health body setting its sights on elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030.
