TRADITIONAL leaders and politicians in Mashonaland West have stepped up efforts for wider awareness campaigns over elephantiasis in Kariba and Mhondoro-Ngezi administrative districts so that communities can be vaccinated.
Lawmakers last week grilled Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Timios Kwidini over government’s slow efforts to assist communities defying a vaccination programme following an elephantiasis outbreak in some parts of the country.
A mass drug administration has since kicked off in Kariba and Mhondoro Ngezi, Mashonaland West province and is expected to end on Thursday.
In an interview, Nyaminyami district traditional leader Chief Musampakaruma said affected communities should respond to government efforts during the mass drug administration that kicked off last week.
The 10-day blitz will end on Thursday this week.
“As a local traditional leader, I kindly ask our people to respond to the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s calls for vaccination of elephantiasis in our communities.
“They must make life easier for government health officials deployed during the 10-day period. This is good for those that are affected and future generations,” Chief Musampakaruma said.
Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi (Proportional Representation) called for urgent awareness campaigns in Mhondoro-Ngezi so that the mass drug administration can be a success.
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“Communities in Mhondoro-Ngezi need more awareness to effectively participate in the mass drug administration for elephantiasis,” she said.
“Educational and awareness campaigns should emphasise the benefits and importance of the treatment to encourage acceptance and widespread participation, ensuring the success of the programme since its rollout on September 16.”
