Valentine Makufa
Buhera Residents Network Association has joined the fight against measles in Buhera after the district was greatly affected by the killer disease.
The coordinator of the association Leonard Mabasa said they have been doing awareness campaigns encouraging parents to get their children vaccinated against measles.
“As a residents association, we have launched a campaign on Twitter, engaged local authorities and also publishing in local newspapers. Many children have been vaccinated this August only,” said Mabasa.
The disease mostly affected Dzoma village around Murambinda growth point, wards 18, 22, 23 and 28.
Some of the children in the areas affected could not sit for their end of term examinations after getting sick.
Buhera was mostly affected because of Apostolic religious sect who restricts members from getting medication at hospitals.
“Our district was mostly affected because most people are from the Marange Apostolic sect that does not allow its believers to get medical help even vaccination from such diseases. Many children failed to write their end of term tests because of the disease,” added Mabasa.
Measles outbreak is one of the six killer diseases which children should get vaccinated.
The disease hit Zimbabwe in April affecting most parts of Manicaland where Buhera lies.