Chipinge rolls out malaria control programme

Officials called for stronger community awareness, early treatment seeking behaviour, and greater media involvement in the fight against the disease

Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has began an indoor spraying programme in Chipinge District to curb the spread of malaria.

Chipinge is a malaria prone district and at least five people recently succumbed to the disease, while hundreds received treatment.

The major burdened areas of the district are along the border with Mozambique where high numbers of patients are being recorded.

These are Mahenye, Mutandahwe, Maparadze, Mabee and Chinyamukwakwa in Chipinge South.

Chipinge District health promotion officer, Ms Exgratia Chidoko confirmed that the programme has been rolled out.

She also urged those exhibiting malaria symptoms to visit their nearest health facilities for treatment.

“I can confirm the rolling out of a malaria control programme this month. The programme will run for 63 days. A total of 28 rural wards are being targeted.

“There will be campsites where the malaria control teams will be staying,” she said.

Ms Chidoko said this year’s programme is targetting every household.

“In the past, we faced resistance from some villagers, but this year’s programme is targetting every household. The last time when we embarked on the same programme, we achieved 84 percent coverage, but our aim is to reach the 100 percent mark this year.

“We are urging traditional, church and all opinion leaders in the communities to mobilise everyone so that they will comply with this important programme,” she said.

Meanwhile, the fourth round of polio immunisation is progressing well in Chipinge District.

The programme started on Tuesday and is expected to end today (Friday).

Ms Chidoko said they are targeting to immunise all the children below five years.

“Our national target is 95 percent. Here in Chipinge District, we achieved 79 percent during the last immunisation programme.

“We are working towards hitting the 100 percent mark and parents should take advantage of this programme to have their children immunised because the damage caused by polio is irreversible,” she said.