adminThandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
THE Bulawayo City Council has launched the second National Mass Drug Administration for bilharzia and intestinal worms programme aimed at addressing the prevalence of neglected tropical diseases.In a statement yesterday, the council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, said the programme was targeted at children aged between one and 15.
“The City of Bulawayo will join the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the World Health Organisation, Unicef and other partners in carrying out the second national Mass Drug Administration for bilharzia and intestinal worms.
“The second phase of the project will be conducted from the 28th of October to the 2nd of November 2013. The medicines that will be given are praziquantel and albendazole,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said medicines would be administered at both primary and secondary schools. “Parents are requested to ensure that children are fed before administration of the medicines. They are requested to ensure that their children carry or are given a sandwich or food to eat on the day of the drug administration,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said the campaign had started at JW Mthimkhulu in Magwegwe West suburb and would spread to other suburbs until Saturday.
The first national Mass Drug Administration (17-21 September 2012) formed the initial component of the comprehensive programme towards control and eventual elimination of bilharzia and intestinal worms.
Online Reporter