The Sunday News
Lynnia Ndlovu Sunday News Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Child Care in conjunction with Unicef and World Health Organisation is embarking on a mass drug administration programme aimed at curbing the Lymphatic Filariasis disease commonly known as elephantiasis in Gwanda District. This comes after a survey which was done in 2014 showed that Gwanda is an endemic area for Lymphatic Filariasis in Matabeleland South Province.
Addressing a partner’s sensitisation meeting at the Gwanda District Medical offices last week, the district medical director, Dr Andrew Muza, said it was the first time to include the elephantiasis drug for mass administrations in the district.
“The mass drug administration is coming as a response to the elephantiasis disease which has been said to be very common in Gwanda and Bulilima districts and thus will be giving tablets to every community targeting everyone who is one-year-old and above. The drug is already there at national level and awaiting district distribution.
“As a ministry we understand that there is drought therefore we call for partners who can chip in and provide us with food so that people won’t take the medication on empty stomachs. Also we appeal to members of different organisations to bear with us and assist with vehicles and fuel so that the administration can be a success,” said Dr Muza.
The tablet (Diethylcarbamazine Citrate- DEC) will be taken according to height, from 12 to 26 September and should be taken after meals.
“As a ministry we would like to urge members of the public to participate in the upcoming national mass drug administration. This is a public health measure which is aimed at improving health outcome for the people of Gwanda District.
“The medicine which will be used has been approved by the ministry. We remain guided by the control measures put up by the ministry to safeguard the
health of the people in Gwanda,” he said.
Elephantiasis is caused by infection with the filarial worm called Wuchereria brancofti and Brugia malayi, which is transmitted to humans by the mosquito and lives in the human lymphatic system.
The disease is typically characterised by the thickened skin and grossly enlarged limbs that earn the illness its name.
