By Fanuel Chinowaita
The Ministry of Health and Child Care yesterday engaged journalists in Mutare during a malaria awareness workshop , urging stronger cooperation with the media to ensure communities receive accurate and timely health information.
The engagement programme brought together health officials, journalists and government departments to discuss malaria prevention, treatment and responsible reporting in Mutare District and surrounding high-risk areas.
Mutare District Health Promotion Officer Sophia Nezandonyo said the media plays a critical role in public health communication.
“Wrong information costs lives. That is why we need to agree on facts, messages and contact persons so that the public gets correct information at the right time,” said Nezandonyo.
She said collaboration between health authorities and journalists was essential in fighting diseases such as malaria.
“When health and media speak together, communities act together. We need to work hand in hand to protect our people,” she said.
Environmental Health Officer Paul Magumure said malaria remains a serious public health concern in hotspots such as Burma Valley, mining areas and border communities linked to Mozambique.
“There is a high risk of malaria in Burma Valley and nearby areas because of environmental conditions and movement of people,” said Magumure.
He said malaria is transmitted through bites from infected female anopheles mosquitoes and can develop into uncomplicated or severe malaria if untreated.
“Common symptoms include fever, headache and weakness. People must seek treatment within 24 hours and get tested using malaria rapid diagnostic kits,” he said.
Magumure said prevention strategies include indoor residual spraying, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, destruction of mosquito breeding sites, environmental management, repellents and protective clothing.
“We should have strong surveillance systems so that we are able to detect and control malaria early. Community health workers already have testing kits to assist people in local areas,” he said.
Also attending the meeting was Mutare District Information Officer Melanda Mutetwa from the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
Mutetwa said the media and health sector must maintain close cooperation for public benefit.
“The media has the power to educate, inform and mobilise communities. Working together with the Ministry of Health helps save lives,” she said.
During discussions, journalists raised concerns over delays in receiving responses from health officials, saying news reporting often requires immediate comment.
Responding to the concerns, health officials said they were committed to improving communication channels.
“We need accurate reporting to avoid panic. We remember situations such as 2008 where some issues were exaggerated. Verification is important,” one health official said.
The meeting forms part of wider efforts to strengthen malaria prevention awareness in Manicaland, one of Zimbabwe’s malaria-prone provinces.