By Catherine Murombedzi
Health Correspondent
The establishment of the Polio Laboratory at the University of Zimbabwe Teaching Hospital at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare marks a significant milestone in the country’s environmental health surveillance efforts.
By monitoring environmental samples, the laboratory can detect the presence of poliovirus, enabling timely interventions and responses to prevent outbreaks and safeguard the health of children.
Dr Desta A. Tiruneh, the World Health Organization representative for Zimbabwe, commissioned the fully equipped University of Zimbabwe Polio Laboratory.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards a polio-free world. The commissioning of the University of Zimbabwe’s upgraded polio laboratory is a testament to Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to strengthening surveillance and diagnostics in the fight against polio.
This facility not only enhances Zimbabwe’s health infrastructure but also safeguards the health and well-being of children across Africa.
The World Health Organization commends the Government of Zimbabwe for its steadfast commitment to the Global Polio Eradication initiative.
“Through strong leadership, strengthened routine immunization, and successful polio vaccination campaigns, Zimbabwe has positioned itself to control the outbreak, prevent further transmission, and sustain its wild polio-free status,” said Dr Tiruneh.
“This advancement is a result of strong collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the University of Zimbabwe, WHO, and the Gates Foundation. As we celebrate this achievement, we recognize the importance of continued support and collaboration.
“WHO remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe in enhancing its health system, particularly through strengthened laboratory surveillance. Together, we will continue advancing towards a polio-free world,” Dr Tiruneh said.
The new equipment will support diagnostic network optimisation to ensure that diagnostics are placed where they are most needed, rather than being distributed based on political boundaries. The lab also has the capacity to conduct genomic sequencing testing, enabling the detection of other diseases and pathogens.
Mr Raiva Simbi, Director Laboratory Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care
said the lab would enhance the country’s ability to prevent outbreaks and safeguard the health of children.
“The establishment of this lab enhances our ability to prevent outbreaks and safeguard the health of our children. This lab is not just an achievement; it is a vital step forward in our environmental health surveillance efforts. By monitoring environmental samples, we can detect the presence of the polio virus in our surroundings, which is crucial for any intervention and response.
“This proactive approach will enhance our ability to prevent outbreaks and safeguard the health of our children. We have received a lot of investment in the country, and I’m also happy that we have done what we call diagnostic network optimization.”
Mr Simbi spoke of lessons learned from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
“We hope that, like we did during the COVID-19 time, we can multiply and also use the same technology for other diseases. The same diagnostics that we are celebrating today can also do the same for diseases like Marburg virus, Ebola virus, and Mpox,” said Mr Simbi.
The establishment of the Polio Laboratory at the University of Zimbabwe is a significant achievement that will enhance the country’s capacity to detect and respond to health threats, ultimately safeguarding the health of its citizens.
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