Reduction in transmitted disease infections noted in Manicaland

Tendai Gukutikwa
MANICALAND managed to reduce transmitted diseases from 35 percent in 2012 to five percent last year. This was revealed by Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Tatenda Mafaune during a Mass Drug Administration sensitisation meeting held at Mutare Hall on Wednesday,

“MDA is a five-year programme and we are launching our third year next week on Monday at Munyarari. It will run from October 20 to 25 in all the schools in the province. This programme was launched in 2012 and from our results Manicaland has been successful in attaining its goals.

“The main aim of MDA is to reduce the prevalence of schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and soil transmitted helminthesis. These include hookworms, roundworms and female mosquitoes etc,” he said.

Speaking during the same meeting, Provincial Epidemiology and Disease Control Officer, Dr Nyadundu said transmitted diseases were caused by parasites spread by vectors, contaminated water and soil infested with the eggs of worms.

“This group of medically diverse infectious diseases thrive in impoverished settings, especially in the heat and humidity of tropical climates.
“About 200 million people in the world are living with bilharzia, while another 200 million are at risk of being attacked by the same deadly disease,” he said.

Dr Nyadundu said people affected by bilharzias risk becoming blind, deformed, disabled and stigmatised by the society which would end up traumatising them.

“Children will end up not performing well in school and therefore we are taking all measures available in the prevention and treatment of these neglected transmitted diseases through our Mass Drug Administration programme to ensure that that this will not happen,” he said.
In Manicaland, Chipinge was said to the district with the highest rate of neglected transmitted diseases.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has promised to intensive their efforts in redressing the situation.
“The main goal is to let everyone know that the interruption of transmission leads to bilharzia elimination.

“If we keep on implementing the Mass Drug Administration programme we will surely make it. If we stop to be proactive all our gains will be reversed.

“The results that we should expect after the success of MDA include improved health, excellent pass-rates in schools, improved nutrition and even productivity among adults,” added Dr Mafaune.

Control strategies that were presented during the meeting include preventative chemotherapy, health education, access to clean water, sanitation, environmental control and snail control.