Govt, WHO intensify campaigns

H-Metro Reporter
GOVERNMENT, in partnership with the World Health Organisation, will soon embark on intensified polio and measles vaccinations campaigns.

WHO Zimbabwe said this was a response to a measles outbreak in the country, as well as risk of polio importation.

“In response to Zimbabwe’s measles outbreak and risk of polio importation from neighbouring countries, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with WHO Zimbabwe, are conducting support supervision visits in different health facilities across the country to strengthen routine immunisation and surveillance,” the statement read.

“The immunisation support supervision visits are being done in preparation for the upcoming intensified polio and measles vaccination campaigns.”

Community Working Group on Health executive director, Itai Rusike, said CHW has been playing a central role by raising awareness, mobilising communities, during outreach programmes, and for measles immunisation.

“By being the link between the community and the health department, Community Health Workers(CHW) advise and refer the community to seek medical attention early,” he said.

This, he noted, was helping to close the gap between public health services and communities at local levels.

“CHW also brings health services outreach to communities and facilitates community roles in the health delivery services.

“The religious objectors are also being engaged through their various leadership and being reminded of the dangers of not getting their children vaccinated.”

Rusike said unvaccinated young children under five-years-old are at the highest risk of measles, and its complications, including death.