Zimbabwe has intensified measures to prevent the spread of Ebola while scaling up efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, as the country simultaneously pushes ahead with a nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting children in high-risk districts.
Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Zimbabwe remains free of Ebola cases but is maintaining heightened surveillance due to outbreaks reported elsewhere in the region.
"Zimbabwe has no reported Ebola cases, but we remain on high alert because of the regional outbreak," he said.
Dr Mombeshora said the country continues to strengthen its preparedness systems to ensure any potential threats are detected and contained quickly.
Beyond disease surveillance, he said drug and substance abuse remains one of the major social and health challenges affecting communities, particularly among young people.
Mombeshora stated that Government has expanded rehabilitation services as part of efforts to tackle the growing problem.
He said 15 rehabilitation centres are currently operational across the country, while 138 additional facilities have been identified for renovation to improve access to treatment and recovery services.
The expansion comes as authorities seek to strengthen intervention programmes aimed at helping individuals affected by substance abuse and reducing the long-term social and economic impact of addiction.
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Meanwhile, Mombeshora urged parents and guardians to ensure that children under the age of five receive the oral polio vaccine during the second round of Zimbabwe's polio immunisation campaign running from June 2 to June 5, 2026.
He said vaccination teams are conducting door-to-door visits while health facilities remain open to provide the vaccine to eligible children.
The campaign targets children in Harare Metropolitan Province, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and 20 high-risk border districts identified as vulnerable to the importation and transmission of poliovirus.
Dr Mombeshora said parents and guardians in Harare City, Chitungwiza, Epworth, Ruwa, Emakhandeni, Northern Suburbs, Nkulumane, Mutare, Mutasa, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mbire, Mt Darwin, Centenary, Rushinga, Mudzi, Kariba, Hurungwe, Chiredzi, Binga, Hwange, Tsholotsho, Bulilima, Mangwe, Matobo and Gwanda should ensure all eligible children are vaccinated.
He said the campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to protect children against preventable diseases and safeguard the country's public health gains.
Dr Mombeshora stated that disease prevention, child immunisation and rehabilitation services remain critical pillars of Zimbabwe's healthcare system as the country continues strengthening its response to emerging health threats and long-term social health challenges.
He said communities to cooperate with health teams and take advantage of available health services to protect families and improve national health outcomes.
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