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Buhera Residents Network Trust (BRNT) has launched a campaign against measles that aims at imparting knowledge to the residents about the disease and encouraging them to embrace the vaccination exercise.
This comes after the Manicaland Province recorded the highest number of infections and fatalities in the country due to this disease.
In the results released by the cabinet early this week, as of the 15th of August 2022, Manicaland has recorded 1270 cases of measles and 122 fatalities.
Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Buhera Residents Network Trust coordinator, Leonard Mabasa said that they have already embarked on an educational campaign across the Buhera district as a way of raising awareness about this disease.
He said that the campaign will go a long way in triggering alertness in the community and complimenting the government’s efforts in fighting this contagious measles.
“Buhera Residents Network Trust is vigorously and rigorously campaigning against measles. The last weeks of July signified the spread of the contagious measles with deaths having been recorded especially among those below 12 years of age.
“Our voice is loud and it can reach the clouds. We are proud that we harvest information in various ways and amplify the message to authorities in a variegated manner. Action is taking place. Residents are now leaning on each other. There is this natural norm that children belong to the village. Every concerned person is wishing a robust approach to bust measles in the rural parts of Buhera,” said Mabasa.
He said that they have intensified their campaign in certain areas where the disease has taken its toll, Mabasa revealed that the information is being spread through various communication channels in order to ensure that no one is left behind.
“It is part of our civic duty to ensure that communities get social services during emergency and non-emergency times. Messaging the duty bearers is pivotal. The media is the loudest voice ever. We have reached out to community radios, Twitter, WhatsApp groups, and broadcast list community gatherings.
“We are mainly targeting red-flagged zones in wards 5, 14, 15, 18, 23, 24, 28, and 25. Generally, all the wards are under siege,” he said
Meanwhile, Mabasa encouraged residents to cooperate in the fight against measles and to work closely with the government’s directives.
“All residents should cooperate with the government and its partners in fighting this scourge that has led to massive loss of lives within 30 days. If the eligible age range is vaccinated we will avoid loss of lives. We want to safeguard the future of the youths and adults. Your loss is our loss and the loss of the nation,” added Mabasa.
Buhera Residents Network Trust is working with progressive civil society organisations in Manicaland and various media houses in this campaign.
As of 15th August 2022, the measles cumulative figures from across the country have risen to 2 056 cases and 157 deaths.
The government has resolved that the National Supplementary Vaccination Programme be upscaled before schools open for the third term of 2022 targeting the 6 to 15 year age group.
