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Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
The Government has called on health teams and local leaders to work together to identify and address obstacles that are preventing people from getting vaccinated.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora made the call on Thursday during belated commemorations of the World Health Day and the 50th Anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).
This year’s celebrations ran under the theme “My Health, My Right”, emphasising the fundamental principle that everyone has the right to quality healthcare.
The World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7 and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
On the other hand, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) is a global initiative launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1974 to ensure all children, regardless of their location or socio-economic status, have access to life-saving vaccines.
“Looking beyond this commemoration, our ministry remains committed to monitoring the performance of our routine immunisation programme,” Dr Mombeshora said.
“We must preserve the gains we are celebrating today and close any gaps in reaching everyone with life-saving vaccines.
“I urge health teams and local leadership structures to collaborate in identifying and addressing barriers to vaccination, ensuring that all children and deserving adults are vaccinated and protected.”
He highlighted some of the key milestones in EPI that the country had managed to achieve.
“Some key milestones in EPI that I would like to highlight include the eradication of smallpox, the elimination of several vaccine-preventable diseases, Polio-free certification for Zimbabwe in 2005, the successful introduction of new vaccines, effective outbreak response vaccinations for measles, cholera, Covid-19, and polio, as well as achieving universal Immunisation coverage in 1989.”
In a speech read on his behalf by Dr Sarah Wanyoike, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Team Lead of Intercountry Support Team for East and Southern Africa, WHO’s country representative, Dr Desta Tiruneh said Zimbabwe’s efforts to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, eradicate polio, and eliminate measles have been exceptional and commendable.
“The country has made significant strides in ensuring that pregnant women receive the necessary vaccinations to protect both themselves and their newborns from maternal and neonatal tetanus,” said Dr Tiruneh.
“Through targeted campaigns and community engagement, Zimbabwe has successfully reduced the incidence of this preventable disease, safeguarding the health of mothers and infants alike.”
Online Reporter