ZANZIBAR: IN celebrating the World Toilet Day 2024, a team of Chinese medical experts organized a unique health education at Michakaeni School, Chakechake in Pemba Island on how children in schools can fight bilharzia.
Bilharzia is an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in freshwater in subtropical and tropical regions and it is still a challenge in Pemba.
The parasite is most commonly found throughout Africa, but also lives in parts of South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia.
Mr Hu Wenjun, a member of the Chinese expert team, used textbooks and videos to explain the life cycle of bilharzia, which is also known as schistosomiasis and the behaviours that contribute to its transmission. The vital connection between proper toilet usage, schistosomiasis prevention, and personal health was thoroughly demonstrated.
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“The event aimed to raise awareness among local students about the importance of sanitation facilities and schistosomiasis prevention,” Mr Wenjun explained.
The World Toilet Day 2024 theme is ‘Toilets are a place for peace’.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) Safe and sanitary toilets are not just facilities; they are essential places for peace, but shockingly, over 3.5 billion people worldwide still lack access to these vital resources
Representatives from the local Health Department, Education Department, and Disease Prevention and Control Agency, participated in the event to educate more that 400 students at the school.
World Toilet Day is celebrated annually on 19 November to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and help achieve SDG 6, which promises sanitation for all by 2030.
The leader of the Chinese medical aid team, Mr Dai Yang captivated students with vivid hand-painted illustrations that depicted the sources and transmission routes of schistosomiasis.
Through relatable examples, the students gained a profound understanding of the dangers posed by schistosomiasis and the critical need for its prevention and control.
The team encouraged the students to become ambassadors of healthy living by sharing their newfound knowledge with their families and communities, fostering a collective effort to create a clean and hygienic environment.
The event also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, where students enthusiastically participated, showcasing their curiosity and understanding of the topic.
The successful event not only enhanced local students’ awareness of the importance of sanitation but also deepened their knowledge about schistosomiasis prevention and control, and it highlighted the role of proper toilet hygiene in preventing various infectious diseases.
Mr Saleh Juma, Director of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Office in Pemba, praised the initiative, noting that repeated health education efforts have significantly increased students’ understanding of schistosomiasis.
He expressed hope that Chinese experts would continue collaborating with the NTD Office on health education, snail control, disease detection, and treatment to build a solid foundation for eliminating schistosomiasis in Zanzibar.
