By Tenson Zobo
The Ministry of Health through department of sight has said government is pleased to support the efforts of Sight savers organization in the fight against Trachoma in the country.
The revelations were made during the media workshop yesterday which among others highlights the dangers and effects of Trachoma in particular equipping the media to inform the public on disease through SAFE strategy mode (Surgery, Antibiotic, Facial cleanliness and Environmental) to combat disease in the country.
In his sentiments Michael Masika from department of sight in the ministry, said with support through The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust for disease control and prevention, they are encouraged with the work Sightsavers is doing to improve the health being of Malawians impacted with Trachoma.
“It is clear that Trachoma is a silent killer disease in Malawi as it causes blindness due to factors of: trachoma follicles, trachoma follicular intensive, trachoma scarring (white lines, bands, or sheets on tarsal conjunctiva), Trachoma Trichiasis(one or more eyelash in contact with globe) and Corneal opacity (obscuring at least part of the pupil margin) which damage the eyes hence employing SAFE strategy”, he said.
Country Director for Sightsavers Malawi Roy Hauya, emphasized on working with community-based organizations and Outreach programs are of critical significance since Trachoma has attack 17 districts in Malawi and 15% of blindness can be explained by it.
“For instance, blindness socially, economic can hinder community not to participate actively in development and also impact of adult blindness on children has negatively affected the childrens who are supposed to take care of the patient instead of going to school. Training of Health Surveillance Assistance also helps to harmonize the mass distribution of antibiotic (ZithromaxR) in the country. Thus, among others, it will expand trachoma knowledge in the communities which will result to high health living since more people will be treated hence combating Trachoma in Malawi”, lamented Hauya.
Trachoma elimination project is targeting 15 districts in the country and strive to provide 5,902 people with surgery for advanced trachoma together with antibiotic treatment to over eight million people to both children and adults in Malawi. Additionally, promoting facial cleanliness and use of sanitation facilities for children and adults to prevent infection is among the Malawi of free blinding trachoma.
The Mass drug compaign is expected to start next Monday in all targeted districts. Therefore, the public is urged to participate during the process for better livelihoods. The project is of 5 years and it started in 2014 to overcome the disease which is mostly associated with poverty.
