LAWMAKERS on Wednesday quizzed Health and Child Care acting minister Felix Mhona about the country’s preparedness to combat an outbreak of Mpox, which has been declared an emergency health crisis in Africa.
The Centres for Disease Control Africa and World Health Organisation have declared Mpox an emergency health crisis with over 20 000 cases and over 600 deaths reported from Africa Union member States.
Midlands Proportional Representation MP Violet Nhari, on Wednesday sought clarity on government plans to prevent the transmission of Mpox.
Mhona admitted that the country was concerned about the dreaded disease.
“Indeed as a nation, we are troubled and concerned because of such pandemics which affect both our visitors and residents,” Mhona said.
He, however, said the country had not recorded a single case.
“Let me urge the nation that people should not tarnish the image of Zimbabwe because some people are taking images from other countries and claiming it is happening in Zimbabwe, yet the situation on the ground is that there is not even a single case of anyone who has contracted Mpox in Zimbabwe, but we need to be vigilant,” he said.
Midlands Proportional Representation lawmaker Perseverance Zhou was, however, not convinced with Mhona’s response.
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“Do we have the medicines to contain the pandemic if it comes because once bitten, twice shy? We experienced this during COVID-19 and then we noted that government was really prepared?’’ Zhou asked.
Mhona responded saying “we were informed during our Cabinet meeting that the government is prepared to fight this pandemic”.
Budiriro North MP Susan Matsunga asked if any awareness campaigns on Mpox have kicked off.
In response, Mhona said: “So, we are not resting, but we want to make sure that we prevent the transmission of this disease. Schools should have hotlines or they should have access to hotlines so that they inform the minister.”
Mashonaland West Proportional Representation MP Mutsa Murombedzi requested a ministerial statement on the matter.
“. . . the nation must know the country’s preparedness. It is imperative that this House and the nation is informed about the current state of Mpox, the government’s preparedness, public awareness campaigns and the availability of vaccines and treatment process in the event that this disease has been found in Zimbabwe. So, we request a ministerial statement,” she said.
