adminBlessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Zimbabwean doctors and their German counterparts have joined hands in a study to ascertain mercury levels among artisanal miners in the country, with those with fairly elevated levels set to be treated free of charge.
The study, being funded by the German government, is also meant to give Zimbabwe a clear insight of mercury levels among artisanal miners with a view of improving their health and safety.
Mercury is used to refine gold and is a highly poisonous element which can affect the brain, nervous and reproductive systems if inhaled as vapour.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers mercury as one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern.
Geologist Dr Dennis Shoko, who is leading the delegation which visited Kadoma General Hospital recently, said the study was a follow-up to a similar research carried out sometime between year 2002 and 2007.
Government, then, was looking at raising awareness in the deleterious effects of mercury while conducting other medical tests.
“This is a follow-up to that programme and is being funded by Germany’s ministries of Environment and Health and we are targeting to collect samples from about 200 artisanal miners, half from Kadoma and the other half from Shurugwi,” he said.
“We have a number of artisanal miners who participated last time and are here so we will be able to compare levels of mercury then and now. Once these people have been tested, results will be presented to the Zimbabwean Government, stakeholders and miners themselves, that is, sometime in May.”
Dr Shoko said those with fairly elevated levels of mercury will have to be treated and also counselled so that they do not abuse mercury or use it in such a way that it affects their health.
Specialist occupational physician Dr Dingani Moyo, who is working with a German medical doctor in conducting the mercury tests, said the main aim of the study was to ascertain the burden of mercury intoxication among small-scale miners.
“This is important especially in terms of improving the health and safety of miners. If we find out the levels are much higher than the recommended limits, we offer solutions in terms of safer mining practices, medical surveillance and good practices in handling mercury,” he said.
The team, he said, had obtained an ethical clearance from the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe and Research Council of Zimbabwe with the programme involving a university from Germany.
Dr Moyo was happy that the study started on a high note with a high turnout saying the study will be quite important for Zimbabwe in terms of offering good health services to the miners.
Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small Scale Miners Association president Mr Evans Ruzvidzo, who is also coordinating the artisanal miners, applauded his colleagues for coming out in numbers for the programme.
Mercury also affects aquatic life which when consumed can affect the entire food chain.
Online Reporter