Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
FOR Mrs Sifelani Makoma (64) of Njelele suburb in Gokwe Town, the thought of having her three grandchildren getting jabbed for measles didn’t cross her mind until she started witnessing some children in her area succumbing to the disease.
Measles is a very contagious respiratory infection, which causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. The viral infection is serious for small children but is easily preventable by a vaccine.
The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
Mrs Makoma said attending measles-related funerals has traumatised her.
As the measles death toll rose to 33 by the end of September, Mrs Makoma said she felt a sigh of relief when the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) working in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care visited her suburb.
“I am glad that my three grandchildren got vaccinated against measles through the assistance of the Government and the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society. I am disabled and can’t walk hence taking these children to the hospital was not going to be possible, but these health personnel came to our suburb and gave us measles doses,” she said.
Mrs Makoma said there have been reports of measles-related deaths and illnesses in her suburb.
“It is a pity that we have some people dying of measles yet it can be prevented. I am a member of one of the Apostolic faith sects and I am glad that the vaccination programme being spearheaded by the Government reached me and my grandchildren were vaccinated and protected against measles,” she said.
About 15 km from Njelele is a village called Fundikwa in Ward 3 under Chief Nemangwe area.
Mrs Mary Makotose, who is taking care of her two grandchildren, said measles-related deaths were on the rise until the Government and its partners chipped in through the vaccination programme.
“Measles was becoming a menace such that even secondary school learners and pregnant women were being affected. The most affected also were those from the apostolic sects, but I am glad to hear that they have agreed to have their children vaccinated,” she said.
“The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society health personnel came and vaccinated my grandchildren. I would like to thank them and the Government for this gesture because it’s now over two weeks and we haven’t heard of any measles-related deaths or illnesses.”
Mrs Makotose said limited access to health services is also to blame as villagers in her area are forced to travel long distances to Gokwe to seek health services.
“We don’t have money to travel to Gokwe Centre to get such services. We, therefore, urge the local authority to speed up the completion of Gonye Clinic through devolution funds so that we have access to health care all the time,” she said.
A member of the apostolic sect, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she failed to get her four-year-old son vaccinated against measles due to her religious belief, but she now regrets her actions.
She said her son was exposed to measles during a church gathering in the Nemangwe area.
Her son experienced a painful itch from a rash, and constant stomach ache.
“He was also vomiting and seeing him suffering like that was very difficult for me such that I felt guilty for my actions of not having him vaccinated,” she said.
Nemangwe village head Mr Bonzo Manokore said some of his subjects had learnt the hard way about the need to have their children vaccinated against measles.
“We had a torrid time before the intervention by the Government and its partners like Red Cross Society and when 33 children died and at first, we didn’t know what was happening,” he said.
“Later we heard of the measles outbreak and swiftly Red Cross Society started vaccinating our children and we are grateful for that noble idea.”
ZRCS secretary general Mr Elias Hwenga said his organisation is working with the Government to contain the outbreak.
He said the intervention in Gokwe South came following the death of 33 people, mostly children.
“We started this intervention after the death of 33 people, mostly children in Gokwe South. We are an auxiliary of the Government and we must assist in such situations,” he said.
“We are also working hand in hand to increase awareness of the measles vaccine and also help address community resistance to the vaccination.”
Mr Hwenga said most of the identified cases have not been vaccinated against measles.
“Risk for infection among children under 15 years remains high, especially among these anti-vaccination apostolic sects. Consequently, it has led to a surge in deaths and other related complications,” he said.
“Measles can be a serious disease with 30 percent of reported cases experiencing one or more complications.”
Mr Hwenga said measles during pregnancy increases the risk of premature labour, miscarriage, and low-birth-weight infants.
Measles, one of the most common infections in the world, accounts for more than over 100 000 deaths every year.
The disease was first recorded in Manicaland province on April 10 in Mutasa district.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care said thousands of people have been infected with measles since an April outbreak and over 700 people, mostly children have died
The Government responded by initiating vaccination of children under five years regardless of vaccination status.
Some religious sects have been blamed for the outbreak amid indications that religious groups and traditional leaders preach against getting vaccinations.
Health authorities have since been struggling to contain the infectious viral disease, which causes a rash, cough, and high fever, and can be fatal for unvaccinated children.
From the current situation, the most affected provinces since the start of the outbreak are Manicaland (the main epicentre), Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and the Midlands which contribute to 80 percent of the cases.
The Government identified some anti-vaccine groups, whose behaviour contributed to slowing down the vaccination campaign for measles and even other routine vaccination.
Religious and traditional behaviours are key aspects to manage in this outbreak to ensure the best interests of the child, survival and development principles and rights of children respected.
Online Reporter