Published by the government of Zimbabwe
27 June 2007
Harare — THE Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and the Department of Veterinary Services are planning to put in place a taskforce to deal with avian influenza.
The setting up of the taskforce is one of the measures Government is putting in place to deal with the looming danger of avian flu.
Avian flu is a bird and human contact disease that has potential to kill many people.
Speaking during the commemorations to mark the World Health Day on Monday, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said it was Government's wish to establish similar structures to be put at all levels of service delivery so that everyone is involved in the process of disaster preparedness and response.
"The current looming danger of avian influenza is a case and cause for concern for us.
"As a ministry, we are working in collaboration with the Veterinary Department in the Ministry of Agriculture to put in place preparedness and response measures through the multi-sectoral national committee that prepares for disasters."
"Our wish is that similar structures are put in place at all levels of service delivery so that everyone is involved in the process of disaster preparedness and response," Dr Parirenyatwa said.
This year's World Health Day was commemorated under the theme: "Invest in Health -- Build a Safer Future."
Particular attention was being given to international health security.
Dr Parirenyatwa said health threats knew no borders.
These threats, he said, included diseases such as avian flu, humanitarian emergencies, chemical spills, bio-terrorism and effects of climate change.
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