Masvingo - From 14 to 21 October 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) supported a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign in Zimbabwe aimed at combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), specifically schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms). This initiative successfully reached 1,306,043 individuals with treatment for schistosomiasis and 1,054,558 for intestinal worms, primarily targeting children under the age of 15 living in vulnerable communities.

The MDA campaign is part of Zimbabwe's broader strategy to eliminate NTDs, which pose significant public health challenges. Schistosomiasis and intestinal worms affect millions of people, leading to severe health complications, particularly among children.

Launched on September 17, 2024, the second and final phase of the MDA campaign utilized schools and health facilities across identified high-burden wards in the selected districts to distribute essential medications. WHO provided over 3.6 million tablets of Praziquantel for schistosomiasis and 8.7 million tablets of Albendazole for intestinal worms, aiming to treat over 5 million children nationwide. 

“This intervention is crucial as we have a pupil who has bilharzia at this school,” noted Gonda Eneresi - Musvovi Primary School Health Coordinator. 

The school-based approach was vital for the campaign's effectiveness. Schools served as accessible venues where health workers could efficiently deliver medications to large groups of children, ensuring that vulnerable populations received necessary treatments. This method not only leveraged existing educational infrastructure but also fostered community engagement, as teachers and school staff played key roles in educating students about these health interventions. The MDA campaign coincided with the government's rollout of a feeding programme designed to enhance pupil retention. By providing at least one hot, balanced meal per day, this initiative ensured that children have taken a meal before receiving their medications, benefiting those taking tablets.

Mavis Tarwakuona, a Village Health Worker, actively engaged her community by walking door-to-door and utilizing meetings to raise awareness about the campaign's importance. Bassilisa Makaha, a grandmother from Nerwanda B Ward 3 in Bikita, expressed her support: “I know these outreaches are meant to protect our children from various diseases and my grandchildren always participate.”

Prior to the MDA campaign, extensive training workshops were conducted for healthcare workers to ensure effective implementation. These workshops aimed to equip trainers with the necessary skills to cascade knowledge throughout their districts. The collaboration between local health authorities and community leaders was vital for fostering a coordinated approach to disease management.

Dr. Thalia Mungwari, Bikita District Medical Officer, however expressed concerns about certain wards being overlooked during the campaign: “We are worried about the wards that are being left out as some of the children interact at school.”

The mass drug administration is anticipated to significantly reduce the prevalence of schistosomiasis and intestinal worms among children, thereby improving overall public health outcomes. By directly addressing these diseases at the community level, Zimbabwe aims not only to treat affected individuals but also to prevent future infections through increased awareness and education.

Dr. Mkhokheli Ngwenya, Acting Team Lead for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at WHO Zimbabwe, emphasized that this collaboration underscores a commitment to combating NTDs through comprehensive public health strategies.