Zimbabwe protects over 200,000 people against cholera
This campaign has reached 22 wards in eight districts: Chegutu, Chiredzi, Chitungwiza, Masvingo, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mutare Rural, Mt Darwin, and Sanyati

HARARE, Zimbabwe, August 9, 2024/ — The Ministry of Health and Child Care, with the support of the World Health Organization, and other partners has immunized over 200,000 people against cholera in the most vulnerable communities. This campaign has reached 22 wards in eight districts: Chegutu, Chiredzi, Chitungwiza, Masvingo, Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mutare Rural, Mt Darwin, and Sanyati. These targeted areas, have high artisanal mining activities where access to safe water and sanitation facilities is limited.

In these communities, clean water is scarce and health risks are high. Hence, the vaccination campaign has brought great relief. This initiative is beyond the numbers; it’s about saving lives and securing a healthier future.

“We remain vigilant in our efforts to strengthen our health systems and build resilience against future outbreaks,” said Dr Isaac Phiri, MoHCC Cholera Incident Manager.

Pelagia Chikoore, a 51-year-old resident of Venice Mine, Mhondoro Ngezi, emphasized the importance of the vaccine. “l got vaccinated to prevent myself from getting cholera,” she said. “Our area has a lot of mining activities, and sometimes water supply is a challenge. Although we now have a solar-powered borehole, I believe the vaccine is an extra layer of protection.”

While vaccination is not a silver bullet, it provides an additional layer of protection, especially in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation.

Echoing Chikoore’s sentiments, 21-year-old Alice Mhembere from Mubaira shared her experience. “l know the vaccine protects me from cholera,” she said. “We saw people getting sick because of cholera so I never hesitated when I got the opportunity.”

Cholera is a highly contagious disease that spreads through contaminated water and food. By administering vaccines, the campaign helps to build immunity in populations at high risk, reducing the likelihood of disease spread and protecting communities from potential outbreaks for a period of 6-12 months. Hence, it needs to be complemented by improvements in water supply and sanitation infrastructure to ensure communities are protected from another episode of cholera outbreak that claims innocent lives.

WHO played a crucial role in combating a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe. With unwavering commitment, WHO supported two rounds of targeted vaccination campaigns, providing the technical guidance and logistical support needed for success. The vaccination campaigns were not only effective but also efficient, achieving over 90% coverage, and reaching the people who needed it most and making a significant impact on the community’s health.

The vaccination campaign was made possible through funding from the International Coordinating Group (ICG), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and WHO. This collaborative effort brought hope and relief to many, showcasing the power of unity and expertise in the face of a health crisis.

“We are proud to have supported Zimbabwe in this crucial vaccination campaign. By reaching out to most vulnerable communities, we are not only preventing disease transmission but saving many lives,” said Dr Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe.

SOURCE
World Health Organzation (WHO) – Zimbabwe

6 Ways To Use Public Relations To Build Brands

“Brand public relations” – is it an oxymoron? Some say that PR builds reputation, while marketing actually boosts brands. But in reality, the two work in concert….kind of like brick and mortar. There are many ways to use classic PR strategies to add depth, color, and cohesion to the building blocks of brand identity. Here are some of the best.

Use data

Yes, “big data” is a buzzword that’s overused in our business, but what some companies don’t realize is that even small amounts of data can be useful for a PR outreach to media and influencers like analysts. An e-commerce client of ours recently noticed that millennials represent their largest  and fastest-growing customer segment. That simple fact, backed by the right data and company history, qualifies them to build content and create speaking platforms around what they’ve learned about marketing to millennials. It’s one of several differentiators we can use to help them stand out.

Tell stories

Storytelling is another overused term, but at its core, it means packaging information into meaningful and entertaining narratives to forge stronger emotional bonds with customers. And the best stories aren’t just splashy entrepreneurial chronicles, like Steve Jobs’ life or Richard Branson’s latest exploits. The most persuasive might be closer to home; they can be customer testimonials, community happenings, or employee exploits.

Look inside

Employees, in fact, can be both a rich source of stories and a powerful channel through which to tell them. One of our clients is a company that has landed on a few “Best Places To Work” lists, but they wanted to gain more visibility for their commitment to workplace wellness. When we placed a local newspaper story about an employee who lost 50 pounds and regained her health with the help of the fitness and wellness resources available to her at work, it added depth and credibility to the client’s reputation. Who wouldn’t want to work there?

Third-party endorsement

To be strong, a brand promise must be credible. The essence of good PR is having someone else talk about your brand rather than the company itself. The third-party endorsement – either implied or explicit – is often very effective, sometimes more so than paid media. It helps when the publicity results include “proof points” that reinforce a brand proposition or identity. A customer testimonial is an obvious example, but third-party endorsement can also come with content sharing and social media community-building.

Executive leadership

Staking out a position on a topical or important issue and offering insights or ideas can yield far-reaching brand benefits. When Starbucks’ Howard Schultz weighs in on marriage equality, or Sheryl Sandberg urges us to “lean in,” it’s more powerful than a corporate reputation campaign. It’s an example of thought leadership around a key issue relevant to many customers that has nothing to do with coffee or social networking. Yet, I’d argue that it has a strong impact on the brands attached.

Education

“Education” can mean campaigns that look to change behavior for reasons of public interest, like anti-smoking programs or the wireless industry’s #itcanwait campaign against texting and driving. One of our clients, McGraw Hill Federal Credit Union, has embraced a campaign around financial wellness. It sponsors a series of Financial Learning Seminars, underwrites research about the cost of financial stress in the workplace;  and raises funds for financial wellness causes.

Pr Times Africa Limited.