More than 8,000 Mozambican children up to 5 with tuberculosis symptoms – Govt

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More than 8,000 Mozambican children up to 5 with tuberculosis symptoms – Govt

3:17 CAT | 04 Aug 2016

Notícias

More than 300,000 children between the age of six months and five years old were screened for tuberculosis during Mozambique’s National Health Week which ended on 29 July.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, over eight thousand children presented signs of tuberculosis.

According to Deputy National Director of Public Health Quinhas Fernandes, the data indicates that some of the suspected children had direct contact with tuberculosis patients after having been referred to health centres for more accurate diagnosis.

The highest number of cases were recorded in the provinces of Cabo Delgado (2,350), Zambezia (1,370), Sofala (1,226), Tete (1,194) and Nampula with 1,150 children suspected. Data for Gaza province has not yet been releaesed.

Authorities however consider that the targets set for National Health Week, 25 to 29 July, have in general been met or exceeded.

For example, 4,587,408 children were supplemented with vitamin “A” and 3,861,996 de-wormed, corresponding to 106 and 101 percent of targets respectively. With regard to family planning, 677,456 women of child-bearing age were counselled and offered contraceptives, 120 percent of the anticipated number.

According to Deputy Director Fernandes, this level of coverage was only made possible by the involvement of all Mozambicans, particularly those community leaders, media and health professionals and cooperation partners who made sure information arrived in communities in time and motivated families to visit health facilities.

“We are all to be congratulated for the coverage levels achieved, since they are a major contribution to achieving the goals set by the government and to boosting progress in reducing maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality at national level, and promoting family health in Mozambique,” he said.

During National Health Week children were vaccinated, de-wormed with mebendazole and supplemented with vitamin “A”. Free of birth registration services and screening for malnutrition were also offered.

Source: Notícias