— Kabompo District to have massive trachoma vaccination exercise

Kabompo District to have massive trachoma vaccination exercise

Kasempa, August 12, 2014, ZANIS —- Kasempa district is this September earmarked for a massive Drug Administration (MDA) of antibiotics in the hope of reducing Trachoma in the area before 2020.

National Eye Health Coordinator Dr Kangwa Muma says the antibiotic will be given to each individual once every year till 2017.

Dr Muma said the Ministry has prioritize trachoma elimination before 2020 because surveys conducted reveal that around 10 million people live in trachoma endemic districts.

“Trachoma is usually transmitted by a fly, fingers and towels which have had contact with an already infected eye and so it is mostly prone in poor hygiene environment,”  he explained.

ZANIS reports that the  National Eye Health Coordinator said this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kabompo district, today. 

He said according to survey conducted last year, Kasempa is the only district in North-Western Province which was found with a prevalence rate of trachoma and therefore called for members to take the matter serious by forming a Trachoma Task force.

“I can assure you that Trachoma is very active in Kasempa where out of 100 people 10 could have trachoma without them knowing,” he said.

Dr Muma further applauded ORBIS an international organization which has for the four years supplied the ministry with equipment and medicine for eye care prevention.

Trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world and Kasempa has been found with a high prevalence rate of trachoma among 46 other districts in the country.

Meanwhile, ORBIS North-Western Province Project Manager Generous Mukanga pledged continuous support to MOH by providing the necessary equipment and drugs needed to combat trachoma before the project ends in 2017.