A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the China National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD), will see Zimbabwe becoming a manufacturing powerhouse for Praziquantel, a drug used to treat Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever or bilharzia.
By Michael Gwarisa
This comes after Zimbabwe was selected to become the first country to benefit under the Africa-China Cooperation for the Elimination of Schistosomiasis program, which targets to capacitate African countries to manage and control the spread and infection of Bilharzia in communities.
Speaking at the closing Ceremony, Professor Nicholas Midzi, the Director National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), a department in the Ministry of Health said the manufacturing of Praziquantel locally will fast-track Zimbabwe’s targets to eliminate Bilharzia.
The medicines that we have been receiving from time immemorial have been going towards Mass Drug Administrations (MDAs) in schools. However, we have a gap for medicines in Schistososmiais elimination. We will not eliminate this disease if we cannot make the drug accessible to everybody in need that is adults and school-aged children. If we target one age group and leave others, then we are missing it.
“The Joint collaboration should now increase the production of essential medicines in Zimbabwe so that we can improve the distribution of medicines in our health facilities. If we don’t do that, we can talk and talk, and debate but as long as are leaving others out then we won’t be going anywhere,” said Professor Midzi.
He added that relying on donors and well-wishers for the supply of Praziquantel for Mass Drug administration was self-defeating.
“We are talking of elimination of Schistosomiasis. If we are talking about control and elimination of Schistosomiasis, we cannot do that without adequate medicines. At the moment, the medicines that we receive are donations from well-wishers and we thank them. We are targeting the most affected age groups so as to reduce morbidity levels and also prevent further transmission of the disease and the highest affected group is the school-going age.”
According to data from a Pilot Study conducted by the NIHR and NIPR in Shamva district, the disease affects both adults and children. A Geospatial Survey also conducted by the NIHR indicates that all 29 Wards in Shamva District are in need of Mass Drug administration.
Mr. Huang Minghai, Counsellor for Economic and Trade Cooperation said China was willing to partner Zimbabwe in more health initiatives to improve access to healthcare at community level.
“On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I would like to express my warm congratulations on the successful completion of the survey. I also would like to express my gratitude to the World Health Organization Country Office in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe, and the National Institute of Health Research of Zimbabwe (NIHR) for your support and cooperation. And extend my greetings and respect to the Chinese experts for your efforts and contributions,” said Mr Minghai
China recently eliminated the prevalence of Schistosomiasis to the lowest levels after more than 70 years of fighting against schistosomiasis and has accumulated rich experience in the prevention and control of schistosomiasis.
“We are willing to share our experience and contribute to the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe. The National Health Commission of China and the Ministry of Health and Child Care of Zimbabwe signed an MOU on the schistosomiasis control and elimination cooperation project in April 2021, and the Chinese schistosomiasis experts group has been sent to carry out a 50-day on-site investigation in Zimbabwe, which was a key measure to implement the health care initiative proposed by H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping, and was a vivid reflection of our friendship.”
