HARARE, Zimbabwe (eTN) – The country’s Ministry of Health and Child Care has reportedly embarked on a nationwide campaign “to teach people about the Ebola virus.” This latest development is undoubtedly a preemptive measure, which is a laudable move for a country that is popular tourist destination.
Speaking on the sidelines of “Save Mollen Campaign” in Masvingo on Saturday, Deputy Minister Paul Chimedza told local reports the ministry has “developed materials in all languages and set up systems to disseminate information.”
“We have developed material in all languages. We are going to use the systems we have created for HIV information dissemination to teach people about the virus. In the media we have a radio program,” Mr. Chimedza was quoted as saying.
The deputy health minister also confirmed that a social media campaign will commence today. “We will start the social media campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook so that we update both local and international people.”
Mr. Chimedza also addressed the recent suspected Ebola case at Wilkins Hospital, located in Harare. He told reporters the hospital used the case to test the efficiency of the systems they have set up.
The ministry of health official added: “People have to understand that when we put up systems to fight Ebola we wanted a close case to the virus to check how robust the system is. That is what happened in that case. We confirmed malaria, but we wanted to check our system.
The patient was discharged, and that hospital and the health ministry were happy with the system’s performance. “We were happy with the system. The only problem we might have is the preparedness of the staff. We are happy although we have to continuously improve,” he was quoted as saying.
Mr. Chimedza has a message to his fellow Zimbabweans with regards to utilizing social media to pass unconfirmed reports of Ebola cases. “If you receive those messages don’t pass them on unless they are confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care as this has a nationwide impact. The economy will be negatively affected as such stories scare away tourists and investors.”
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- “People have to understand that when we put up systems to fight Ebola we wanted a close case to the virus to check how robust the system is.
- He told reporters the hospital used the case to test the efficiency of the systems they have set up.
- “If you receive those messages don’t pass them on unless they are confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care as this has a nationwide impact.
