THERE was renewed enthusiasm to do away with intestinal worms and Bilharzia at the launch of the third edition of the national Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in Mutare this week.
In May 2013, the 66th World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA66.12 which calls for intensified, integrated measures and planned investments to improve the health and social well-being of affected populations.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of diseases with distinct characteristics that thrive mainly among the poorest populations.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s (MoHCC) Epidemiology and Disease Control went around the country in schools collecting stool and urine samples that was tested for tropical diseases.
The samples revealed that 57 districts out of 63 districts had a high prevalence of the Bilharzia parasite and 31 intestinal worm.
Since then, the WHO and World Vision have stepped in to assist in the control of tropical diseases that are often neglected not only in Zimbabwe, but in poor countries as well.
The MoHCC’s Epidemiology and Disease Control director, Dr Portia Manangazira highlighted that due to high turnout at the MDA clinics they will operate into the weekend.
“There was a lot of support from the community that is the teachers, parents, local chiefs and Government for the launch of the programme which was conducted at Munyariri Primary school,” Dr Manangazira said.
Two drugs will be administered in the clinics for the diseases, Albendazole for the worms and Praziquantel for Bilharzia.
“We are therefore encouraging guardians and parents to give children food before they are administered the drugs because the drugs are absorbed faster by the body when one has taken food and it also reduces the side effects,” Dr Manangazira said.
She said effort had been made in some communities to have the pre-MDA meals on site to ensure that children are fed before taking the drugs.
The ministry said it will conduct annual checks in high burden areas in a bid to control these often ‘forgotten’ but potentially life threatening diseases.
Dr Manangazira said adults were also not being turned away for treatment.
“We have had teachers and adults coming in for treatment and we are not turning them away although our primary target is children up to the age of 15,” she said.
Children between the ages five and 15 will be administered drugs for Bilharzia while children between ages one and 15 will be administered drugs for intestinal worms.
Bilharzia is spread by contact with water that contains the parasites.
These parasites are released from fresh water snails.
The disease is especially common among children in developing countries as they are more likely to play in infected water.
The microscopic adult worms live in the veins draining the urinary tract and intestines.
Most of the eggs they lay are trapped in the tissues and the body’s reaction to them can cause massive damage
Intestinal parasites are parasites that can infect the gastro-intestinal tract of humans and other animals.
They can live throughout the body, but most prefer the intestinal wall.
Means of exposure include: ingestion of undercooked meat, drinking infected water, and skin absorption.
There are several signs that one is affected by a parasite although not conclusive.
For example, abdominal pain, cough, diarrhoea, fever, fatigue, struggle sleeping, skin irritations or rash and never satisfied after a meal are signs of being affected.
The MDA programme will run up to 2016.