Programme runs well

Herald Reporter
THE treatment of children against intestinal worms and bilharzia entered its third day yesterday, amid indications the programme will achieve its target of more than four million children. Epidemiology and disease control director in the Health and Child Care ministry, Dr Portia Manangazira said the process started well at most centres on Tuesday.
“The exercise was informed by a national survey conducted in 2010 which identified areas which needed the treatment. Areas with a high burden of bilharzia will be receiving the Praziquantel drug, while those with a high worm burden will be chewing the Albendazole tablet. Those with both cases are receiving both drugs,” she said.

When the Herald visited schools in Kuwadzana, Warren Park, Belvedere and Glen View in Harare where the treatment was expected to take place, authorities said they were still to receive information as to when the programme would start. Dr Manangazira said there was a possibility that the treatment would occur at different times in different places due to the process of getting the drugs to the schools, community centres and clinics where the administering would take place.