The Sunday Mail
Rutendo Rori in Marondera
GOVERNMENT will this month roll out mass drug administration and Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programmes in Mashonaland East province, as the fight against blinding trachoma and cervical cancer intensify.
Blinding trachoma is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that roughens the inner surface of eyelids causing pain, breakdown of the outer surface or cornea and possible blindness.
HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and causes cervical cancer in women.
According to statistics, an estimated 2 270 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Zimbabwe annually, with a mortality rate of 64 percent.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Marondera, ahead of the vaccination programme at the end of this month, Ministry of Health and Child Care Mashonaland East provincial health promotion officer Mr George Machacha said all ages were being targeted in the fight against blinding trachoma. “We will be rolling out the mass drug administration programme against blinding trachoma from 24 to May 27 and we are targeting Mudzi, Mutoko and Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe districts.
“The programme is meant to fight blindness trachoma which is prevalent in those three districts. This year, Goromonzi district will not be targeted.
“Besides using antibiotics, we will also conduct facial hygiene since the disease is mainly transmitted from eye mucus.”
Speaking on the HPV vaccination programme, the Mashonaland East provincial Extended Programme on Immunisation officer Ms Clara Mashiringa said all grade five girls in all the provincial districts will receive the first dose of the second cohort and those who received it last year will get the second dose.
Ms Mashiringa also said there was need for behavioural change, such as desisting from smoking and multiple sexual partners, to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
