Zimbabwe Health

Health

Health In the current economic situation many medicines are in short supply, so you are strongly advised to take all medications with you. Private doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are of a good professional standard in the towns, although specialist medicine or surgery may require a visit to South Africa. Again, however, current circumstances may severely restrict medical supplies. HIV/AIDS is very common in Zimbabwe. Assume everyone you meet, regardless of race or gender, is HIV positive, and take precautions accordingly. Wear rubber gloves when dressing someone else's cut, even if they are a child, and obviously never, ever have unprotected sex. If you form a serious relationship, consider both getting an HIV test before taking things further. Malaria is prevalent, so unless you are going to stay entirely within Harare or Bulawayo, anti-malarials are advised. Drugs reduce the severity of the disease but don't prevent infection, so also consider precautions such as: sleeping under a mosquito net (lightweight travel nets are comparatively cool to use) using mosquito repellent on the skin or burning mosquito coils wearing long sleeved clothing and long trousers, particularly in the evening Bilharzia is present in some lakes. Ask locally before swimming. Snakes are common in the bush, and most bites are on the foot or lower leg. If walking, particularly in long grass, wear proper boots and either long, loose trousers or thick, concertinaed hiking socks. Shake out boots and shoes in the morning, in case you have a guest. These precautions also reduce the chance of scorpion sting. If you do get bitten or stung, stay calm. Try to identify the exact culprit, but get to medical assistance as rapidly as you can without undue exertion. Many bites and stings are non-fatal even if not treated, but it is safer to seek treatment, which is very effective these days. Degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004) Safety Given the political and economic instability in the country, travellers to Zimbabwe should take care with their personal security and safety. However, on the whole the country remains very safe for foreign visitors (certainly more so than Johannesburg, for example) and you are likely to find it very welcoming and quite inexpensive. Simply exercise the same caution and sensitivity you would as a relatively well-heeled tourist travelling in any very poor country. And don't forget to tip; times are tough for locals, and they depend on your generosity.

[ World Health Orginisation ]

[ Hospital of Tropical Diseases ]