BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Zimbabwe is taking a significant step towards improving public health outcomes by launching a nationwide mass drug administration (MDA) campaign to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, aims to eradicate schistosomiasis (bilharzia), soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms), across the country.
The campaign is backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Higher Life Foundation, which are providing crucial technical and financial support.
The initiative follows a comprehensive population and community-based survey conducted in 2021, which identified districts with low treatment coverage for these diseases.
The survey revealed that 22% of the population is affected by schistosomiasis, while 5.7% are affected by soil-transmitted helminthiasis.
Additionally, 53 districts were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis, and five were found to be endemic for soil-transmitted helminths, according to the WHO.
In 2015, 39 districts were identified as having lymphatic filariasis, with only two rounds of MDAs implemented in 2016 and 2017.
The upcoming campaign will target approximately 1.4 million people above the age of two, with the goal of significantly curbing the spread of these diseases.
Further studies have revealed that at least 35.6% of the total population in Zimbabwe is at risk of being infected with bilharzia and in need of mass drug administration.
This nationwide campaign is a crucial step towards improving public health outcomes in Zimbabwe and demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling NTDs.