16 Feb 2021

Secretary of Chobe District health planning committee, Dr Clement Mukadi has revealed that Chobe District had done well in the just-ended Measles and Rubella campgain that ran from February 1-12.

Speaking in an interview following his presentation to the District Development Committee, Dr Mukati said the district covered 96.2 per cent exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO)’s target of 95 per cent.

The campaign, which was national, targeted children aged 9-59 months and according to Dr Mukadi in Chobe it went smoothly with no challenges.

Regarding the Malaria Elimination Campaign, Dr Mukadi said the 2020/21 third quarter district’s Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) coverage stood at 80 per cent.

He explained that Kachikau and Lesoma had low IRS coverage of 72.2 and 70 per cent respectively and attributed the low figures to poor community and village leadership involvement in the campaign. 

He, however, said as a corrective measure, the district and village leadership were engaged.

Dr Mukadi further indicated that Kachikau and Pandamatenga were the most affected by malaria as each village recorded eight cases. He however said no malaria deaths were recorded in the district.

On HIV/AIDS, Dr Mukadi  said for the last quarter, a total of 1 407 clients tested for HIV, out of which 37.4 per cent were males and 62.6 per cent females.

He said 44 clients including five non-citizens tested positive, bringing the cumulative number of patients to 4 241, which is a 1.7 per cent increase from the second quarter.

He further said all the patients were initiated in the ARV programme. 

Dr Mukadi said the Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) was doing well as no HIV positive baby was recorded for the past four quarters.

Giving a COVID-19 update, Dr Mukadi said as at February 11, the district had 752 cumulative cases, 31 per cent of which were locals and 69 per cent imported cases. He said the active cases stood at 36, while 292 recovered. 

Dr Mukadi indicated that the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) turnaround time was 72 hours as the samples were sent to Palapye. He said the fee for the PCR was P500 and all facilities in Chobe provided COVID-19 rapid tests free of charge. Ends