HARARE – Three children aged between five and eight died after severely reacting to bilharzia and intestinal worms medication that is being administered to children under the mass drug administration campaign in Zimbabwe.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gerald Gwinji told the Zanu PF controlled ZBC TV that the three deaths were recorded in Budiriro and Kambuzuma suburbs in Harare and in Redcliff and Kwekwe.
Dr Gwinji confirmed that all the three had taken tablets that are being administered under the mass drug administration of bilharzia and intestinal worms.
Dr Gwinji said all the three children are reported to have started vomiting and developed diarrhoea the same day that they had taken the medication, adding the ministry has engaged a pathologist to carry out investigations.
Parents or guardians of the three children did not seek medical attention after their children were taken ill, and Dr Gwinji said it is important to report any severe side effects when children have taken medication.
The bilharzia and intestinal worms mass drug administration exercise is targeting at least four million children and is being carried out in both primary and secondary schools as well as designated health facilities across the country.
The campaign began on the 28th of last month and was initially expected to last for five days, but due to an overwhelming response, the exercise was extended.
Last week several parents used the Nehanda Citizen Reports platform to complain about their kids having headaches and vomiting after taking the medication. One parent even complained that the drugs were brought into the country so that their children can be used as guinea pigs to be tested on.
