adminThe Herald, 11 September 1979
THE Salisbury Health Department is on the way to win its fight against what was reported as a serious outbreak of measles in Mashonaland about a month ago.
In an “intensive campaign” launched by the department to halt the disease, more than 24 000 children have been vaccinated in and around Salisbury.
The figure is the equivalent of a normal year’s immunisation.
The department also installed a mobile clinic at Harare bus terminus, and used a loudspeaker to invite parents to have their children vaccinated.
The campaign is directed at children under five, and all immunisation is free.
“We’re definitely winning the battle,” Dr O.L. Mbengeranwa, Salisbury’s acting medical officer, said yesterday.
“This is proved by our figures that show that number of admissions to hospitals of children suffering from the disease have dropped recently.”
He said in August, there were 657 admissions to the infectious disease section of the Harare Hospital and 19 deaths.
Dr Mbengeranwa described these figures as “only the tip of the iceberg.”
He said many clinics were coping with a large number of cases where people could afford to pay for immunisation or treatment.
“The situation has been complicated by an influx of 21 000 people from the rural areas, which has brought the disease into towns. If only one infected child sleeps in a room with 10 others, they will all contract the disease,” he said.
Dr Mbengeranwa said the vaccine donated from the Rotary International and another 10 000 doses, which were expected in Salisbury soon, would be used to launch a second intensive campaign against the disease in the next two weeks.
“Hopefully, this will allow us to win the campaign,” he added.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Communicable diseases are the worst nightmare any nation can have. They are costly in terms of loss of human life and the resources required to effectively manage them.
When there is an infectious disease or virus, the best way to address issues around it is to communicate well. Stakeholders must ensure that awareness campaigns are run, in languages that people understand.
The world is currently grappling with the novel coronavirus that started in China last December, but has now become the greatest threat since it is spreading so fast the world over, with hundreds of daily new confirmed cases and deaths.
There is currently no cure for COVID-19 although high levels of basic hygiene are required.
Apart from vigilance and pro-activeness, COVID-19 is now the greatest test case on the efficacy of Zimbabwe’s health-care system, and state of preparedness, although we have not recorded any positive cases.
Fear and panic must be well managed, since coronavirus is the most talked about topic right now.
Social media though useful is also being used to disseminate fake news and hoaxes on the coronavirus.
People must always know where to access accurate information; what to do if they suspect that they might have contracted the virus, etc. The information must continually be update their information.
Fighting COVID-19 is everyone’s responsibility.
It is our hope that a cure will be found soon, although scientists say it might take 18 months to come up with a vaccine.
Online Reporter