by Bernard Mutambudzi.
Government has commended the dedication shown by health professionals since the emergency of cholera in Harare.
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo praised the resilience proved by health personnel during the launch of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) held at Budiriro Community Hall in Harare yesterday.
“We may as Government have adequate medicine but without the input of dedicated staff, the scourge could have continued to rise,” he said.
He thanked the health personnel for moving in swiftly as the number of death remained below 50 weeks after the outbreak which started in September this year.
Speaking at the occasion, WHO Representative, Dr Julia Wekesa said immunization remains the most cost effective way to deal with vaccine preventable diseases.
“Here in Zimbabwe we are able to keep a number of conditions under control and many were completely eradicated because of successful international immunization campaigns,” said Dr Wekesa.
He also assured the people of Zimbabwe that the cholera vaccine is highly effective and safe as the combined cholera formulations have been used around the world and effectively worked.
He also said he had confidence that the immunization system in Zimbabwe could deliver the needed antigens from infants and adults across the country because the high coverage attained across the different antigens in the past few years successively attest to a robust immunization system.
The UNICEF Representative Mr Reza Hossaini also reiterated that immunization still remains a key intervention in preventing deaths. He spoke about the quality of vaccines used during the campaigns saying UNICEF only acquires vaccines that are pre-qualified by WHO, and which undergo further tests by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
The launch was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and Public Housing, Ministry of Finance and other Government representatives who pledged full cooperation in the cholera campaign.
