LETTICIA MAGOMBO
Zimbabwe is on high alert a few days after the monkeypox virus was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Zimbabwe’s neighbours South Africa and Mozambique have since recorded cases of the deadly virus.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care spokesperson, Donald Mujiri, told Business Times that government was strengthening surveillance and public health measures.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to inform the public that currently no cases have been reported in Zimbabwe but it is monitoring the evolution of the outbreak in other countries with keen interest. The ministry has placed its structures on high alert,” Mujiri said.
The executive director of Community Working Group on Health, Itai Rusike said Zimbabwe should be wary of the virus reaching its borders.
“(The fact that) the disease has now been declared a (global) health emergency, that should make us feel concerned as a country. We need to be vigilant and not to lower our guard and think that it may not be coming our way.”
“We are very much aware that we share porous borders with countries where cases of monkeypox have been confirmed. If you look at Mozambique there is a confirmed case including South Africa.
“So, given that situation I think it is important that Zimbabwe should increase its surveillance and monitoring system especially along our land borders and also we need to make sure that everyone else who comes into the country is properly screened,” Rusike told Business Times.
He added: “We know that our health delivery system is currently overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic, shortages of health care workers, shortages of medicine and other health challenges. So, I think that as a country let us be vigilant and make sure that we prepare fully for this other challenge that may come our way anytime soon.”
Rusike said awareness should be intensified and community participation has to be informed by all the necessary, correct information so that we avoid the situation where people end up relying on information from other sources such as social media platforms.
He said the Ministry of Health as the authority should spearhead education and information activities working with other stakeholders such as civil society and churches, among others.
