Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sunday News Correspondent
THE nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme which began four months ago, is being positively received by the rural Hwange community following massive vaccination awareness campaigns conducted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with Sabona Trust, a Non-Governmental Organisations operating in the district.
More than 1 000 people from Mabale, Lupote and Sonkwa villages had their first dose of vaccines in one week. Held under the theme “Protect yourself and your loved ones from Covid-19, get vaccinated” the campaigns saw nurses and environmental health technicians from Mabale, Lupote and Sonkwa clinics, encouraging the community to get their vaccine shots from local clinics.
The staff at the clinics were overwhelmed by the response from the community last week, saying since the commencement of the vaccination exercise, they had never seen such huge numbers.
In an interview with Sunday News last Friday, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Richard Moyo, hailed the support rendered by the Government’s development partners in curbing the spread of Covid-19.
Minister Moyo said the fight against the scourge required concerted efforts by all stakeholders.
“What is needed now is for our people to take up the vaccines available. Sabona Trust has for years been an all-weather friend to the people of Matabeleland North and since the Covid-19 outbreak last year, this organisation was visible in helping communities with food and other essentials during the national lockdown.”
Minister Moyo called on communities to shun falsehoods on social media that say Covid-19 vaccines had lethal side effects.
“People have to listen to health officials and not rely on social media when it comes to information on vaccination,” he said.
Speaking on the success of the vaccination campaigns, Hwange District Medical Officer Dr Fungai Musinami-Mvura, said the assistance offered by Non-Governmental Organisations in Hwange was crucial in getting the correct messages on Covid-19 vaccination to the communities.
“We have no objections to efforts of organisations like Sabona Trust who are complementing our work of ensuring that the communities are fully informed on Covid-19 issues.”
Mr Munyaradzi Nyamande, Sabona Trust Projects Co-ordinator said it was encouraging to see the community coming to get more information on the vaccinations.
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