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Dr Chimedza

Tawanda Marwizi Herald Reporter
The Health and Child Care ministry has embarked on a nationwide campaign to teach people about the Ebola virus. Speaking on the sidelines of “Save Mollen Campaign” in Masvingo on Saturday, Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza said they have developed materials in all languages and set up systems to disseminate information. “We have developed material in all languages. We are going to use the systems we have created for HIV information dissemination to teach people about the virus. In the media we have a radio programme,” he said.
Dr Chimedza said today they would also launch a social media campaign.

“On Monday, we will start the social media campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook so that we update both local and international people,” he added.
Turning to the recent suspected Ebola case at Wilkins Hospital, Dr Chimedza said they used the case to test the efficiency of the systems they have set up.

“People have to understand that when we put up systems to fight Ebola we wanted a close case to the virus to check how robust the system is. That is what happened in that case. We confirmed malaria, but we wanted to check our system,” he said.

He said after discharging the patient, they were happy with the system’s performance.
“We were happy with the system. The only problem we might have is the preparedness of the staff. We are happy although we have to continuously improve,” he added.
He urged the nation not to use the social media to pass unconfirmed reports of Ebola cases.

“If you receive those messages don’t pass them on unless they are confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care as this has a nationwide impact. The economy will be negatively affected as such stories scare away tourists and investors,” he said.