Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
THE Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating deaths from snake bites and rabies, particularly in border areas and forested regions where these health threats remain most severe.
Priority is being given to ensuring adequate medical supplies and strengthening preventive interventions to protect vulnerable communities.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told Parliament on Tuesday that the Government is fully seized with the need to secure sufficient medical supplies for treating snake bites and rabies. He was responding to concerns raised by legislators over rising cases.
Dr Mombeshora indicated that the fight against both conditions has been incorporated into the national health strategy.
“Both snake bites and rabies are classified as neglected tropical diseases,” he said. “They disproportionately affect our rural populations and the Minister of Health and Child Care has placed them firmly on the National Health Agenda through the Neglected Tropical Disease Master Plan for 2023 to 2027, which was launched in December 2024 and guides our comprehensive response.”
Dr Mombeshora said measures have been taken to ensure adequate stocks of rabies vaccines and snake anti-venom are available countrywide through NatPharm and other health facilities.
“Contrary to any perceptions of shortages, the Minister of Health and Child Care has taken deliberate efforts to stock both products, particularly in facilities in high-incidence areas,” he said. “This targeted approach ensures that communities in high-incidence areas are protected.”
“Regarding the rabies vaccine, our facilities in endemic areas hold stocks, which enable prompt intervention when a patient reports to a facility. Treatment must be initiated as soon as possible after exposure to be effective.”
Data presented to Parliament shows that snake bites remain a concern in several districts, with 1 513 cases recorded so far in 2026.
“Hurungwe District has 64 cases, Zvimba District 61 cases, Makonde 46, Buhera 43, and Bikita District 39 cases,” Dr Mombeshora said. “These are among the highest burden districts. These are the areas where we have intensified our anti-venom distribution and pre-positioning efforts.”
On rabies, he indicated that the country recorded a cumulative total of 331 dog rabies cases and 17 human rabies deaths between 2022 and October 2024.
Manicaland recorded the highest number of animal rabies cases with 126, followed by Mashonaland East (50), Masvingo (44), Mashonaland Central (34), Mashonaland West (28), Midlands (20), Matabeleland South (13), Matabeleland North (12), Harare (4), and Bulawayo (0).
“These figures demonstrate that rabies is present throughout our country, with Manicaland Province being the most affected,” he said. “The 17 human deaths represent 17 preventable tragedies, and we are determined to prevent such losses going forward.”
Dr Mombeshora said prevention efforts are also being strengthened through community awareness campaigns.
“On prevention, we are conducting health education and community engagement to address misconceptions surrounding snake bites and rabies,” he said. “Traditional leaders in affected areas are critical partners in this effort.”
