By Ronny Zikhali
AT LEAST 22 children have died in Manicaland following an outbreak of measles especially among the Apostolic Faith Sect, it has been learnt.
Most of the cases reported were in the province with a few in other provinces.
The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera said the ministry was doing its best to make sure that all children in the affected areas were immunised so as to prevent the spread of the disease.
“We have recorded 22 deaths in the Manicaland province and we are doing all we can to make sure that the situation is under control.
“Whenever there is an outbreak of any disease we set out our teams to deal with the issue. As I speak right now all children in the neighbourhood have been vaccinated,” said Dr Madzorera.
Dr Madzorera said the major problem was within the Apostolic Faith Sect who do not immunise their children.
“The core of the problem is the Apostolic Faith sect who do not believe in immunising their children and this is why it is difficult to curb such outbreaks,” said Dr Madzorera
He urged members of the sect to put their children ns lives first.
Every year the ministry conducts annual child days for all children under the age of five against the six killer diseases.
Measles begins with fever, running nose, cough and eyes become red and watery. Rash also appears on the face between third and the seventh day and spreads all over the body.
It can at times be fatal if the child is not treated early and a number of children dies every year.
The recommended age of child immunisation is between nine to 12 months and only one dose is required.
Dr Madzorera said that it was important for parents to immunise their children against measles and the other diseases.
“Measles kills and that is why we encourage all people to make sure that their children are immunised,”said Dr Madzorera.
Over the years the Apostolic Faith sect popularly known as “amapostoli’ have been under attack for denying their children immunisation against the six child killer diseases. They claim it is against their religious beliefs to use any form of medicine.
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