Zimbabwe Launches Child Immunization Campaign, Hoping To Drive Down Outbreaks Of Measles

Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health, UNICEF and the WHO on Monday launched an effort to vaccinate five million children between six months and 15 years against a host of diseases, including measles, the Herald/allAfrica.com reports (5/25). The campaign comes as a “growing outbreak of measles in this southern African nation has claimed nearly 400 lives, and 7,000 cases of the dangerous disease have been recorded recently,” according to a UNICEF article. “In addition to measles vaccinations, the intensive campaign will also provide children with vital immunization against polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus,” the piece notes (Mutseyekwa, 5/24).

Some Zimbabweans remained sharply opposed to immunization, VOA News reports. According to the news service, a text message campaign urging parents to keep children away from immunization centers was also launched on Monday (Nyaira, 5/24).

VOA News Examines Reactions To Abortion Language In Kenya’s Draft Constitution

VOA News examines the recent reactions of U.S. lawmakers, and pro-life and pro-choice advocates to language of Kenya’s draft constitution relating to abortion. According to the news service, “[t]he proposed constitution outlaws abortion, but not if a trained health professional estimates there is a need for one in an emergency situation, if the woman’s life is in danger, or if an abortion is permitted by any other written law.”

VOA News looks at the role the U.S. has played in assisting with the development of Kenya’s new constitution. “[S]everal Republican lawmakers are pointing out the existence of a law called the Siljander Amendment, which prohibits U.S. foreign assistance funds to lobby for or against abortion,” the news service writes. “Earlier this month, New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, who is the leading Republican on the House Africa and Global Health Subcommittee, and two other congressmen, wrote a letter requesting an immediate audit of all U.S. funds used in relation to Kenya’s proposed constitution” (Colombant, 5/24).