The
campaign,
which
runs
from
February
16
to
21,
2026,
will
focus
on
seven
rural
provinces:
Mashonaland
East,
Mashonaland
West,
Mashonaland
Central,
Midlands,
Manicaland,
Matabeleland
South
and
Masvingo.
In
a
statement
on
their
official
X
account,
the
MoHCC
said
the
programme
is
a
critical
public
health
initiative
aimed
at
protecting
children
who
are
most
vulnerable
to
the
water-borne
disease.
“The
Ministry
of
Health
and
Child
Care
has
embarked
on
the
National
Mass
Drug
Administration
(MDA)
for
Schistosomiasis
(SCH)
or
bilharzia,
a
critical
public
health
initiative
targeting
children
aged
5
to
14
years
with
the
goal
of
eliminating
SCH
as
a
public
health
concern
in
Zimbabwe,”
the
statement
read.
The
Ministry
confirmed
that
1
477
966
targeted
children
will
receive
free
treatment
using
Praziquantel,
the
recommended
medication
for
schistosomiasis.
“The
free
treatment
will
be
administered
at
your
nearest
health
facility,
primary
and
secondary
school
or
static
health
point,”
the
MoHCC
said.
Schistosomiasis
is
caused
by
parasitic
worms
transmitted
through
contact
with
contaminated
freshwater.
It
remains
prevalent
in
many
rural
communities
where
access
to
safe
water
and
sanitation
is
limited,
putting
school-going
children
at
heightened
risk.
The
Ministry
said
the
campaign
will
be
implemented
through
both
school-based
and
community
outreach
platforms
to
ensure
maximum
coverage
in
the
targeted
provinces.
The
programme
is
being
rolled
out
with
support
from
key
partners.
Higherlife
Foundation
has
provided
financial
and
technical
assistance,
while
the
World
Health
Organization
donated
the
required
medication
for
the
MDA.
The
Ministry
described
the
intervention
as
a
significant
milestone
in
Zimbabwe’s
broader
disease
control
strategy.
“This
extensive
school
and
community-based
intervention
marks
a
significant
milestone
toward
eliminating
schistosomiasis
and
improving
the
health
and
wellbeing
of
children
in
the
targeted
regions,”
the
statement
read.