Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka and Remember Deketeke
GOVERNMENT, in partnership with key health organisations, yesterday launched a new paediatric treatment for bilharzia (schistosomiasis) specifically designed for children under five – a demographic previously excluded from national mass drug administration programmes, in a landmark move for child healthcare,
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in conjunction with Higher Life Foundation and the research consortium Tracking Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA), introduced paediatric praziquantel in Shamva District, a high-burden area.
At least 23 children under five in Mupfure received the treatment during the launch.
Previously, young children could not be treated under standard programmes due to the adult tablet’s large size, bitter taste and choking risk. The new formulation is dissolvable, sweet-tasting and dosed according to a child’s weight.
Speaking at the launch, Mashonaland Central Provincial Medical Director Dr Cremence Tshuma said the drug came at the right time.
“Today we have launched the paediatric Praziquantel bilharzia treatment as a pilot project in Shamva District, which has a high burden of infections currently standing at 9 percent in children,” he said.
Dr Tshuma added that the Government is preparing to roll out a national mass drug administration campaign next month, aiming to reach an estimated 500 000 children under five across the country.
“Schistosomiasis is prevented through environmental hygiene and sanitation. Let’s desist from open defecation and swimming in contaminated dams and rivers,” he said.
Shamva District Medical Officer Dr Tendayi Kamuriwo reported a decline in cases following past interventions but stressed the ongoing vulnerability of young children.
“In 2023, we had 3 500 cases of bilharzia, while in 2025 we recorded 1 341 cases – 9 percent were children under five,” he said.
“The new tablets are user-friendly, dissolve fast, taste good and no side effects have been raised so far.”
Professor Takafira Mduluza, Principal Investigator for TIBA, said the initiative aims to save lives and will support further research.
The launch precedes a TIBA-coordinated training rollout for all nurses and medical practitioners in Shamva on administering the new drug. Dosage is determined by weighing each child, after which the tablet is mixed with water for drinking.
Shamva is recognised as one of Zimbabwe’s highest-burden districts for bilharzia, with many water bodies hosting the parasite’s intermediate host snails.
Control efforts have included mass treatment campaigns, but until now, these excluded the under-five population.
The new paediatric treatment marks a critical step toward eliminating the disease and protecting Zimbabwe’s youngest children from its debilitating long-term effects.
